Examining the Yellow Lining for Steelers Heading Into '23

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Christian Molinar. Follow him on Twitter @Christian_7172

Where is the fault line? When you examine the Steelers' roster from top to bottom, you start to ponder where the weak point lies. Oman Khan addressed almost every need during the off-season, so what comes next?

The plan of action.

Looking ahead to the season, the offense should take a significant step forward compared to last year, especially with Kenny Pickett as the quarterback in year two, and an overhauled offensive line. Scoring 24 points or more should not pose a problem. Matt Canada finds himself in a crucial position, standing in the batter's box with a full count at the bottom of the ninth, unable to afford a strikeout. The offense is loaded with talent but there’s only one football. Smash mouth football seems to be the recipe for this team to protect Pickett and control the game. You just begin to wonder if the playbook will open up and when. That will define Canada's season.

The defense might encounter some challenges in the secondary, but only time will reveal the extent of these issues before the home opener. The primary concern for the defense will be maintaining good health. There is limited depth in certain positions, such as CB and S, and we all remember the impact of Watt's absence for a good portion last year.

Another area that could be seen as a potential liability is the middle of the defense. The middle linebacker room is completely new, and it will take time for the players to develop chemistry. Omar Khan focused on acquiring a whole new linebacker group. Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts mainly specializing in run stopping. While this is beneficial, it falls short in terms of coverage skills, which in turn affects the secondary's ability to find its rhythm. It's worth noting that Teryl Austin, the defensive coordinator, has a significant workload, yet he is often overshadowed by the attention given to Matt Canada.

The performance of the special teams unit has been lackluster. Although Chris Boswell has been consistently reliable, the coverage on kickoffs and punts has been subpar. Pressley Harvin III, the punter, may have faced personal challenges over the course of the past few seasons, but it is crucial for him to elevate his performance to a more consistent level before the Steelers consider other options.

While there are areas of concern throughout the team, it's important to remember that fault lines can be found in almost any aspect. They serve as points where blame can be assigned, doubt can arise, and our own negativity can take hold. However, if we embrace Mike Tomlin's philosophy of not dwelling on our fears, we shouldn't overly worry about fault lines -- until an actual issue arises. And they will arise. How they handle it collectively will determine their fate.