Steelers predicted to win over seven games in 2022 NFL season

The expected retirement of future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger this past winter sent the Pittsburgh Steelers into a new era that may or may not get off to an underwhelming start. 

Free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky famously flamed out with the Chicago Bears the last time he was a QB1 and spent the 2021 season as a backup for the Buffalo Bills. He is nevertheless widely viewed as the favorite to be named Roethlisberger's immediate successor over first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett and career No. 2 Mason Rudolph. Some seem to believe Pickett may not see the field against a live first-team defense anytime soon because he's a project for the future who needs to learn about life in the NFL from the sidelines. 

Thus, it's understandable critics are down on Pittsburgh's chances to do anything of note during the 2022 season. However, Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski recently offered reasons why he believes the Steelers will reach a minimum of eight wins for the upcoming campaign. 

"Pittsburgh does have talent on offense with running back Najee Harris, tight end Pat Freiermuth and wide receivers Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and rookie second-round pick George Pickens," Sobleski explained. 

He also mentioned how Pittsburgh's defensive unit that may chase some records this fall could cause headaches for opponents from around the league. 

"Meanwhile, the Steelers defense can take over a game at a moment's notice thanks to playmakers like T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick," Sobleski continued. "Stephon Tuitt's surprise retirement didn't help, though the addition of Larry Ogunjobi should offset that loss to some degree. Myles Jack should greatly help the second line of defense, too."

Just last week, The 33rd Team called Pittsburgh's signing of Ogunjobi the club's "most savvy" offseason move.