The Pittsburgh Steelers have wrapped up their 2023 preseason, finishing with a 3-0 record while looking mightily impressive on both sides of the ball. The team's offense finished 5/5 on touchdown drives when led by Kenny Pickett and the rest of the starting offense, and they hope to carry that success over as they move into the regular season.
A lot of people were counting the Steelers out heading into 2023, and most couldn't necessarily blame them. They're coming off a 2022 season in which they were dead last in passing touchdowns as Pickett struggled during his rookie season, especially early on.
The team's struggles weren't limited just to the offensive side of the ball, as the team also had an up and down performance on defense. While they led the league in interceptions, they also were bottom five in the league allowing 29 passing touchdowns. A lot of the struggles can be attested to the pass rush not being on the elite level it normally is due to TJ Watt's injury, but injuries can't be avoided and shouldn't be used as excuses.
Throughout the offseason, the Steelers made a lot of high profile additions through free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft, but that wasn't enough for public perception as the Steelers were still given the worst odds to win the AFC North. One of those high profile additions, 13th-year cornerback Patrick Peterson, doesn't agree with what people are saying.
After finishing the preseason with an impressive win against the Atlanta Falcons, Peterson spoke with the media and had some words about how the team is being overlooked.
"The expectations for this team are very, very high," Peterson said according to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We know a lot of people, the naysayers, are not really talking high about us. But, at the end of the day, we got to go out here and do our job at a high level."
When you get around very prideful organizations like the Steelers, they don't take kindly to being overlooked or discredited. This will likely feed into the team as additional motivation, and only drive them to be better after a few seasons of sub-par football by Steeler Nation's standards.
Patrick Peterson Believes The Steelers Will Be More Physical In 2023
To turn this around, getting back to 'Steelers football' is something a lot of people have been preaching. Peterson believes they are getting back to those hard-nosed ways, and believes they can continue that into the regular season.
“We’re a gritty team,” said Steelers cornerback Peterson. “The Pittsburgh Steelers' history has been bully ball. I feel like we’re kind of getting that identity back, especially throughout this preseason. Hopefully that will carry over to the regular season... I feel like we’re in a good position. I feel like everybody’s ready, everybody’s hungry.”
Adding 'bully ball' back to their resume isn't something that should surprise anyone, as Head Coach Mike Tomlin and crew have made it clear of their intentions. With the investments in the trenches on both sides by signing Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig, as well as drafting Broderick Jones and Keeanu Benton, the team is in a much better spot. Some say this is the influence of Andy Weidl who joined the team as an assistant general manager after spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles, who had a similar philosophy of investing heavy in these areas.
These additions, paired with the team being adamant they want to commit heavy doses of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren on offense, should speak volumes to the Steelers desire to get back to being the tougher team on Sundays. With veterans like Peterson buying into this mentality, as well as acknowledging they're on the way to carrying that attitude into the regular season, should be a sign that Steeler Nation will be very happy with the team's performance in 2023.
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