While it’s still early in team development, it’s clear which side of the ball they’ll lean on, and which side they hope will be good enough not to screw it up.
Aaron Rodgers will inevitably continue to generate the headlines. But the no-show by the defense last season in the postseason, likewise, demands answers.
They clearly saved themselves a few headaches by dispatching their mercurial wide receiver to Dallas. But that doesn’t solve the problem of who — besides DK Metcalf — is going to catch the ball.
Turning to Justin Fields in the Steelers’ ongoing quarterback saga is an idea whose time has arrived. There’s no guarantee it’ll work, but there aren’t many — if any — reasonable alternatives.
A team that for long stretches of the regular season appeared to be different turned out to be just that in the postseason — but for the worst reason imaginable. And it’s going to take more than a free agent or a draft pick to fix that.
They might not be good enough with their temperamental-but-talented wide receiver. But they absolutely aren’t good enough without him, and that’s a problem they can’t work around.
Less than a year ago even the players were throwing up their arms in utter despair. Now, an AFC North Division championship, if not more, appears well within their reach.
They should be better for having added Mike Williams and Preston Smith via trade. But getting Cam Sutton back from suspension might really alter the equation.
The first game that counts is obviously a much-anticipated event. Just don’t read too much into it as a barometer of what’s in store for the season ahead.
