Can Steelers be Kings of the North Again?

Is it really that bold to say that the Steelers can be kings of the North again? Roughly a year ago, I would have said yes, that is pretty bold considering the Bengals assembled a stacked roster based around high flying offense and a very solid ground attack. Plus, the Steelers had just drafted a rookie quarterback and were starting Mitch Trubisky week 1. Couple that with some TJ Watt injuries, and this felt like a work in progress.

Current day though, I don’t think it’s a bold prediction or hot take to say that the Steelers have assembled themselves one of the best rosters in football from top to bottom. What stood out to me was the rookie's impact in preseason games and the fact that Kenny Pickett led 5 drives -- and all of them ending in touchdowns.

Preseason is for sure not a perfect sample of what teams will look like because many backups are on the field for opposing teams, but you have to still digest it for what it is, and what Kenny showed was masterful. Compared to last season, he was two different people in the pocket; reading progressions and having the ability to look off safeties like a veteran would. It is no mystery that a key component of this team taking the next step was Kenny taking his next step, and with the work he put in it seems like he is truly ready to take ownership of this offense and be a leader for the team.

Watching the offense was a breath of fresh air but what really stood out was the defense and how they looked faster and way more physical. The new additions at Linebacker such as Kwon Alexander and Nick Herbig, showed how important it is to have people that don’t run away from contact and have the ability to get in the backfield on blitzes.

This team will continue to grow and the young guys mature and if that does happen the way it should, the Steelers will once again be Kings of the North.