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Through the first four weeks of the NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have used some good fortune and some timely playmaking to get to 3-1 and on top in the AFC North. Pittsburgh is currently on the bye week and preparing to get back to work next week. The Steelers get the Cleveland Browns after the bye and we are anxious to see how Pittsburgh approaches the final 13 games of the season while in control of the division and no breaks in sight.
Here are four things we’d like to see from the Steelers before they get back on the field.
Figure out how to use Pat Freiemuth
It’s an injustice that tight end Pat Freiermuth isn’t a bigger part of the passing offense. He’s the second-best pass catcher on the team but only has 10 targets through four games. The Steelers’ passing offense has been anemic at best, and part of that is because of the exclusion of Freiermuth.
Sort out the running back depth chart
We expect Jaylen Warren to get back to work next week and be ready to go against the Browns. But the Steelers need to decide if, with how the offensive line is playing, does Warren give the Steelers the best option, or should they hand the starting job over to Kenneth Gainwell?
Work a trade for a wide receiver
It is unclear if Calvin Austin III’s shoulder will be ready to go for next week but big picture, if the Steelers are committed to throwing the football at all, they are not committed to throwing to any wide receivers on the team now except DK Metcalf. Looking back to the problems with not using Freiermuth, if they can’t get him involved, it would be better to trade him for a player they will.
Make Nick Herbig the starting outside linebacker
This one will sting for a lot of Steelers fans but even when edge defender Alex Highsmith returns from his high ankle sprain, Nick Herbig needs to be the guy opposite T.J. Watt. We love Highsmith as a player, but it is about production, and Herbig is playing better, and he’s making life easier for Watt, which is something Highsmith cannot do.
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