While much of the focus right now has been on the failures of the Steelers’ defense and special teams after coming a half-game short of reaching the postseason, the offense was not without its share of the blame.
The Steelers finished the 2018 season ranked fourth in total offense and tied for sixth in scoring offense. But they also finished seventh in giveaways with 26, and none of the teams that had more qualifyied for the playoffs.
The Steelers offense isn't in need of a total makeover, even if the team does trade Antonio Brown. Replacing a player considered one of the best to ever play the position would be a blow. But it's not one the Steelers couldn't overcome with some adjustments.
Life without Brown wouldn't be the same. But it doesn't necessarily need to be based on what the Steelers choose to do with their offense.
The stats show Ben Roethlisberger threw 16 interceptions in 2018, matching the second-largest total in his 15-year career.
But diving deeper into those numbers shows the quarterback wasn’t any more turnover prone than he’s been at any point. In fact, it actually shows Roethlisberger took better care of the football in 2018 than he has in previous seasons.
While Roethlisberger’s interception total did, indeed, match the 16 interceptions he threw in 2015 for the second-most in his career — behind only a forgettable 2006 season — his interception percentage (measured in interceptions thrown per every 100 passes) was one of the lowest in his career.
Roethlisberger’s interception percentage was 2.4 per 100 pass attempts, his lowest since 2014 and fourth-lowest of his career. It's also below his career average of 2.7.
Yes, Roethlisberger threw a league-high 16 interceptions, but he also threw the ball a career-high 675 times.
Those 675 passing attempts were the fourth-most in NFL history behind Matthew Stafford (727 in 2012), Drew Bledsoe (1994) and Peyton Manning (2010). Of those performances, Bledsoe and Manning led their teams to the playoffs, but both lost Wildcard games.
But it’s not just a matter of the Steelers throwing the ball too much. Of the teams that finished in the top 10 in pass attempts this season, three — Indianapolis (2nd), Philadelphia (7th) and Kansas City (9th) — made the playoffs.
Of the top-10 teams that had the most rushing attempts, eight made the playoffs. But the other two teams (Buffalo and Tennessee) could do little other than run the ball.
Getting more balance out of their offense in 2019 should be a point of emphasis for the Steelers, whether Brown is back or not.
The Steelers will work on a new contract with Roethlisberger this offseason. Roethlisberger, who turns 37 in March, has one year remaining on his current deal, which comes at a cap hit of $23.2 million in 2019.
And team president Art Rooney II said last February, “There really isn’t a set formula for it, particularly when dealing with somebody at this stage of his career. I’m not sure we’ve ever dealt with a quarterback we’re extending at this age, so there’s no precedent with where we are. Look, we have a great relationship with Ben. We’ll talk through things. The important thing is he wants to be here and he wants to continue beyond the contract. That’s great.”
The Steelers might want to look to the team that helped keep them out of the playoffs, the Saints, for an idea on how to structure a new deal. The Saints gave 39-year-old Drew Brees a two-year, $50-million extension last offseason that included $27-million in guaranteed money. Brees’ cap hit this season was $24 million, with that number going up to $33.5 million next year.
The Steelers could work out a deal with Roethlisberger that slightly lowers his 2019 cap hit while extending him through the age of 40.
That would then open the door for the team to come to terms with what it wants to do with its offense. Do the Steelers want to continue to be a pass-first unit, something that would be more difficult to do if they do trade Brown? Or do they go to a more run-heavy attack?
Mike Tomlin has always preached the team wants to be able to do whatever it needs on a given day to win. And today’s NFL is certainly set up to allow teams to easily throw the ball.
But with Roethlisberger getting up in age, perhaps the Steelers should again look to the Saints as a blueprint. Since throwing a league and career-high 673 passes in 2016 — his fourth time leading the league in pass attempts — Brees has attempted 536 and 489 passes in the past two seasons as the Saints have leaned more heavily on their running game with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram.
If the Steelers want to do that, they’ll need to add another quality running back to their roster, whether that comes through the draft or free agency.
James Conner proved in 2018 he can be a nice piece to the equation, rushing for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns while also catching 55 passes. But he also missed three games with injury. And while rookie Jaylen Samuels showed flashes of being a competent playmaker, adding another dynamic running back would round out the backfield.
Getting the line sorted out will also be part of that equation.
The Steelers could lose line coach Mike Munchak, which would be a big blow. But they also have some decisions to make on the line, as well.
Ramon Foster turns 33 Monday and while he’s been a valued member of this line and a team leader for a long time, the Steelers have a very high opinion of backup B.J. Finney. Finney will be a restricted free agent, but expect the Steelers to offer him a healthy raise via a high tender or possible extension.
And then there is the situation at right tackle. While many are pointing to the games missed (20) over the past two seasons by right tackle Marcus Gilbert, and they are a lot, he’s also under contract at the reasonable price of $4.865 million next season, the final year of his deal. And his backup, Matt Feiler, played well in 2018.
The more prudent step by the Steelers could be to bring Gilbert back at right tackle and allow Finney and Feiler to battle for Foster’s left guard spot, resulting in just one new starter on the line.
That also would give the Steelers something few other teams have in the league — offensive line depth with Jerald Hawkins and Chuks Okorafor also returning.
A receiving corps without Brown would look pretty thin. Yes, JuJu Smith-Schuster is emerging as a top receiving talent, but part of the reason for that was because Brown drew consistent double teams.
Coming off a disappointing rookie season in which he caught 16 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown, James Washington needs to take a big step forward. But he's shown that ability in training camp and practice. Taking that to the playing field will be the next step.
And with Darrius Heyward-Bey, Justin Hunter and Eli Rogers all set to become free agents, the Steelers could be without four of the seven receivers who spent time on their roster in 2018, with Ryan Switzer being the only other holdover with Smith-Schuster and Washington.
Signing a mid-level free agent such as Adam Humphries or Chris Conley, re-signing one of the veterans, with Rogers being the most likely, and then selecting another receiver in the draft would go a long way toward rebuilding that position.