Steelers named as potential 'chaos' AFC North team for 2022 NFL season

It's understandable some would be down on the Pittsburgh Steelers compared to other AFC North teams ahead of training camp. Granted, the Cleveland Browns still have no idea if they'll have star quarterback Deshaun Watson for any portion of the upcoming campaign. Still, the Baltimore Ravens have a one-time Most Valuable Player at the sport's most important position in Lamar Jackson, and the Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a Super Bowl appearance. 

Meanwhile, former Chicago Bears castoff Mitchell Trubisky is on track to replace the retired Ben Roethlisberger as Pittsburgh's QB1 this fall. If Trubisky stumbles and career backup Mason Rudolph underwhelms, first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett, who spent springtime workouts third on the team's depth chart, would be the next man up. 

Despite questions and concerns hovering over the franchise, Bucky Brooks of the NFL's website named the Steelers as his AFC North team that could cause "chaos" during the 2022 season for a piece published Friday. 

"The defense certainly has the pieces in place to strangle opponents, with reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt flanked by All-Pro defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and playmaking safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, among others," Brooks explained. "Adding Brian Flores' experience and expertise as a defensive assistant will only enhance the tweaks that new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will make to the playbook, fully unleashing a unit with aggressive disruptors throughout the lineup."

Brooks continued: 

"The presence of (running back) Najee Harris in the backfield could enable the Steelers to win with a '3 yards and a cloud of dust' mentality, at least until the new QB1 is ready to expand his role as a game manager."

Of course, it's still unknown if Trubisky, Rudolph, or Pickett can be a winning "game manager" as soon as Sept. 11 at the Bengals.