Top 10 Steelers' Storylines Heading into 2017-2018

By: Donny Chedrick 

Photo creds to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The 'Black & Gold' is back in Latrobe. Yinzers have been coming in from all over the country as the Pittsburgh Steelers made their return to St. Vincent College this past week. Some did it in style, like Antonio Brown and James Harrison, some did it quietly, and some didn't at all. With (hopeful) returns of Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant, the Steelers are one of the favorites in the AFC heading into this season. Although opening day in Cleveland is still over a month away, there is still plenty to talk about with the Men of Steel. Here are ten storylines that can be considered right now.

1. Le'Veon Bell

Photo creds to apexfantasyleagues.com

Well, it's the elephant in the room. After rushing for over 1,300 yards a season ago before hobbling out of the AFC Championship game early, Pittsburgh's star running back hasn't found his way to St. Vincent yet. Since the Steelers and Bell failed to agree on a long-term deal before the July 17 deadline, Pittsburgh placed the hated franchise tag on its elusive runner - one that Bell has yet to agree to as he would make $12.12 million next season alone before hitting the off-season as a free agent. There's no question that Bell is the primary key to the Steelers offense once Ben Roethlisberger calls it a career, so this leaves Pittsburgh in a tight spot. Bell needs to be signed; he just has to be patient - which is what he's known for as a runner. He'll get his money, and Pittsburgh will have its dangerous dual-threat tailback locked up for a long time.

2. Rookie Progression 

Photo creds to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Last year the Steelers enjoyed success from the NFL Draft as they saw their top three picks - all defensive players -  become starters by season's end. Second round pick Sean Davis was voted the team's 'Rookie of the Year' for his work at safety, while cornerback Artie Burns, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and wide receiver DeMarcus Ayers all proved valuable to the squad in 2016. This year's draft seems to be one where the Steelers looked heavily into character as well as talent. It's safe to say that first round pick T.J. Watt comes from a solid football family, as his older brother, J.J., is one of the best defensive players in the NFL if you haven't heard of him. Second rounder JuJu Smith-Shuster looked more excited than anyone I'd ever seen before when the Steelers picked him. Third round pick James Conner has an exceptional story and is a local kid - also sells a decent amount of jerseys. Fourth round selection Josh Dobbs was an Aerospace Engineering major at Tennessee, so that speaks for itself. Not to leave the other picks out, but the Steelers targeted character this year more than any other in recent memory.



3. Guys likely getting cut 

Photo creds to Pittsburgh-Post Gazette

Senquez Golson is a name that comes to mind immediately. After being drafted in the second round in 2015, the former Ole Miss defensive back has yet to make it through a padded practice without suffering a long-term injury. This comes as recently as July 30 when Golson was carted off the field in the team's first such practice of 2017. I'm not sure how much longer Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert and the Rooneys' will tolerate a former high draft choice never getting on the field. Golson may be packing his bags in a few weeks, but as for others, it's difficult to say just yet. In regards to players of relevance, with a loaded linebacker group, could guys like Arthur Moats and Anthony Chickillo be on the outside looking in?
4. James Conner
It's hard to name a rookie that was drafted in the third round or later to ever be as beloved as James Conner before he ever took an NFL snap. The rookie out of Pitt has fanfare in the area because of his success with the Panthers the last few years, but his story goes far beyond the gridiron. Not only did Conner dominate on the field, but he also dominated cancer. In late 2015, the former ACC Player of the Year announced he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, but he promised he would fight it and win, and he did just that. Without missing a game in 2016, Conner had defeated cancer and was ready to go in a season in which Pitt would beat the eventual Big Ten champion, Penn State, and the eventual National Champion, Clemson. It's apparent that Conner's emotional journey inspired many others and he's become a fan-favorite around the league without playing a single game.
5. Injury-prone players
Senquez Golson was a name I brought up earlier because he's proven time and time again that he can't stay healthy for practice, let alone a game. Some other players with concerning injury history happen to be some of the most prominent members of the team. Le'Veon Bell is a player that has seen his season end short due to injury before. Ben Roethlisberger has been banged up the last few seasons, forcing backups Landry Jones and Mike Vick to step up in his place. Center Maurkice Pouncey is among the best in the NFL when healthy, but that has been an issue for the former Florida Gator since his career started in 2010. It is rare for any NFL team to make it through a season without major injuries, but the healthier the Steelers are in 2017-18, the higher their ceiling will be.
6.  Martavis Bryant

Photo creds to dynastynerds.com

50 receptions, 765 yards, and six touchdowns is what Bryant contributed to the Steelers in 2015. After missing all of last season due to repeated violations of the NFL substance abuse policy, Bryant looked all set to get back into the groove of things when camp started a few days ago. That's when word got out that Bryant still wasn't all the way through the reinstatement process for smoking the weed and getting suspended for all of 2016. As of now, Bryant is unable to practice or play until he is entirely through the reinstatement process, but he can take part in off-the-field activities. Having Bryant in the offense in 2017-2018 will add another challenging dynamic for NFL defenses and give Big Ben another attractive target in the passing game.

7. T.J. Watt's Expectations 

When your brother is regarded by many as the best defensive player in the game today, you have to expect a lot from yourself. J.J. saying his younger brother was better than him, and then getting drafted to Pittsburgh didn't make things any easier for T.J. Following a big season with Wisconsin, the younger Watt has already been impressing many at St. Vincent and is even taking reps with the first-team defense. 11.5 sacks in 2016 as an edge rusher was something attractive for the Steelers in the draft as James Harrison continues to age on the outside. Having Watt under Harrison's wing for at least a season will have the 6'5" rookie ready to go when the time comes. I'm with everybody else. I think T.J. Watt was a home run pick for the Steelers, and he'll prove that on Sunday afternoons.
8. Mike Tomlin Contract Extension - I might be in the minority on this, but I've always been one to stand by Coach Tomlin. Sure, he may not be Chuck Noll or Bill Cowher, but he's not a "cheerleader" like what Terry Bradshaw thinks. Tomlin has been the Steelers head coach for a decade and not once has his team finished under .500. People will say it's because he's always had Big Ben as his QB, but what else has made it easier? Did Chuck Noll ever have to deal with modern-day free agency? No. Did Noll have a top five defense of all-time? Yes. Did he have several Hall of Fame players? Yes. Did Bill Cowher have a Hall of Fame RB majority of his tenure with Pittsburgh? Yes. Did Cowher have Ben Roethlisberger for his only Super Bowl win? Yes. Now answer this - which Steelers coach was the fastest to 100 wins? Times up, it's Mike Tomlin. Tomlin has had Ben Roethlisberger as his QB for his whole career, but by no means does that diminish what he's done with the Steelers. He should get his contract extended and be on the sideline for the next 5-10 seasons.
9. Daimion Stafford - Short one here. Stafford was an off-season signee for the Steelers to add depth to the defensive backfield. He did not report to camp Thursday with the rest of the team and still hasn't been seen. Reports say Stafford is considering retirement at just 26-years-old. Stafford finished 2016 with 52 tackles, a sack and an interception for the Tennesse Titans. It was the best season of Stafford's young career, but he may be ending it there. Without a timetable for any official announcement, Stafford remains a mystery from camp.
10. Is this is for Big Ben? - It's a thought Steeler fans don't want to think about, but with Ben's recent comments pitting back to last season when he first mulled retirement and his latest quotes about his concern with ongoing NFL CTE issues, this could be the final season for the Steelers QB. Time will tell if Josh Dobbs or Landry Jones happen to be the future answer to the Steelers' offense, but they say history repeats itself. Terry Bradshaw retired after the 1983 season, and Yinzers dealt with names like Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Neil O'Donnell, Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox before the next true franchise quarterback walked in the door 20 years later. Is Steelers Nation in for another tough 20 years after Big Ben hangs it up? If Le'Veon Bell walks and the defense doesn't return to classic form, it could be a tough time.