Two years after Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be early in a rebuilding process.
They have a starting quarterback who is entering his second year in Kenny Pickett, plus some intriguing players at the skill positions, yet hardly anyone outside of Western Pennsylvania feels they will do anything significant this coming season.
But former NFL head coach Herm Edwards feels they will make the playoffs.
The Steelers are Herm Edwards' underrated pick to make the playoffs ?
"I think this team is primed. We talk about Cincinnati, the Ravens all the time, don't forget about the Pittsburgh Steelers." pic.twitter.com/Ya0kAj94OR
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 28, 2023
Edwards pointed to the growth that Pickett showed late last season as a big reason why he thinks Pittsburgh will surprise people and participate in the postseason.
Pickett finished the 2022 campaign with 2,404 passing yards, seven touchdown passes, nine interceptions, and a 76.7 passer rating, numbers that look very poor on paper.
However, in his last eight games of 2022, he threw for 1,442 yards and five touchdowns while throwing only one interception as the Steelers won six of those eight contests.
Alongside Pickett will be up-and-coming running back Najee Harris, who put up 1,034 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns last year, and a solid group of wide receivers that includes Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.
On the defensive side of the football, T.J. Watt is still one of the best pass rushers around, and the Steelers had two other Pro Bowlers in 2022 in safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward.
They’re also excited about second-round draft pick Joey Porter Jr., whose father was a star with Pittsburgh back in the day.
Additionally, Edwards mentioned how much of an asset head coach Mike Tomlin is and how he gets the best out of his men.
NEXT: Analyst Says The Way Kenny Pickett Finished The Season Was 'Remarkable'
