Pittsburgh Steelers 2023-24 Season Guidebook

While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months.  However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 7 this year.

Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2023-24 season right here.
 
In today's article, I'll be discussing the Pittsburgh Steelers.

I wrote a guidebook for every team in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.  To check out an article for another team, click the link below:
https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl

2022 Season Recap

The Steelers finished 3rd in the AFC North with a 9-8 record, nearly snagging an unexpected playoff spot in the process.  With two quarterbacks playing over the course of the season, the offense was unsurprisingly subpar.  Like most teams over the history of the franchise, last year’s Steelers team relied more on the defense – though even that unit wasn’t as dominant as Pittsburgh residents have grown accustomed to.
 
Significant Roster Moves

Speaking of the defense, there was a lot of turnover (no pun intended) within the roster on that side of the ball in the offseason.  Notable starters such as Devin Bush, Terrell Edmunds, Myles Jack, and Cam Sutton left to join other teams.  However, they certainly reloaded in free agency.  Kwon Alexander, Markus Golden, Cole Holcomb, Keanu Neal, Patrick Peterson, and Elandon Roberts will all play a large role in returning Pittsburgh’s defense to a force to be reckoned with.

The only notable change to the offense was the signing of Allen Robinson, who played for the Titans last season.  He’ll be a nice weapon for Kenny Pickett if he can stay healthy this year.

2023 Draft Class

Pittsburgh added players from a variety of positions with their seven selections in the 2023 draft.  2ndrounders Joey Porter and Keeanu Benton have already cracked the starting lineup on the defense, while 1stround pick Broderick Jones is sure to work his way into it at some point in the season.  Perhaps the biggest upside pick is Darnell Washington, who, at 6’7” and 265 pounds, is a freak at tight end.  He could become a force somewhere down the road. 
 
Season Schedule

The Steelers will take on the AFC South and the NFC West in 2023 to go along with their six divisional games.  Their other three opponents are the Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots.  With an opponent prior season win percentage of .470, Pittsburgh has the 8th easiest schedule in the NFL.

Pittsburgh’s primetime games include two Thursday night games versus Tennessee and New England, a Sunday night game at Las Vegas, and a Monday night game versus Cleveland.
 
Depth Charts

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

The Steelers return 13 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters from last year, which is lower than most teams around the league.  Steelers fans might be worried with only 5 starters returning from last season, but they did a great job replacing those guys in the offseason. 
 
While the defense is sure to be strong again, the team is likely to go only as far second-year QB Kenny Pickett will take them.  Pickett has won the starting job heading into the season, but there’s no guarantee he will keep it.  I’m sure the folks in Pittsburgh are just hoping for some stability at the quarterback position again after 18 seasons with Ben Roethlisberger.
 
Coaching Staff

Head Coach Mike Tomlin returns for his 16th season in Pittsburgh along with all three coordinators from a season ago: Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada (3rd season), Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin (2ndseason), and Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith (11th season).
 
Betting Odds

Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for Pittsburgh at 8.5 games.  As of right now, the Steelers are the least likely team to win the AFC North and tied for the 10th most likely team to win the AFC.  At +5000 to win Super Bowl LVIII, they are tied for 18th among all teams in the league.
 
Bucket Squad Predictions

Bucket Squad Sports Reports predicts the Steelers to finish 7-10 in 2023 for last place in the AFC North and 12th in the conference.  They will unfortunately miss the playoffs this season.

What do you think?  Will Pittsburgh be better or worse than I'm projecting?  What offseason moves made by the Steelers surprised you the most?  Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them.

Written by Nick Swatson