The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2021 season for what feels like could be a transitional year. This will almost certainly be Ben Roethlisberger‘s last season in the black and gold. Offensively, the team will look quite different from the past few years, as new offensive coordinator Matt Canada will bring a much more modern approach to the team. For now, though, the Steelers will look pretty similar to how they looked in 2020. Aside from a few departures and new faces, there is plenty of familiarity in Pittsburgh entering 2021. These three guys stand out as the cornerstone pieces of the Steelers as we enter the new season.
2021 Pittsburgh Steelers: Faces of the Team
Ben Roethlisberger
Though he’s not the quarterback he once was, Ben Roethlisberger will be a face of the Steelers as long as he wears the uniform. If this list was written ever year since 2004, Roethlisberger would have been at the top of the list every time. He has been a captain and a leader in the locker room for what’s approaching two decades. On the field, 2021 could be a challenging year for “Big Ben,” but the difficulties could pay off. Canada’s offense could look different, and it may not be easy for Roethlisberger to run a whole new offense in his 18th season. However, Canada has stated that the team will make sure Roethlisberger is comfortable with the direction of the offense.
No matter what happens in 2021, Ben Roethlisberger will end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, probably sooner than later. If he does hang it up after the 2021 season ends (which would be in 2022), there’s a decent chance we will know one of the members of the 2027 Hall of Fame class. Last year, Roethlisberger played some really good football, but he also played some really bad football. Unfortunately, the bad football came towards the end of the season. If that trend continues into this season, things could get ugly in Pittsburgh. Either way, Roethlisberger is the face of the franchise until he steps away from the game.
T.J. Watt
When the face of the franchise decides to retire, T.J. Watt will be waiting in his place. Since being selected by the team in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Watt has been nothing short of sensational. One stat tells you all you really need to know: in Watt’s four NFL seasons, the Steelers have either been first or tied-for-first in the league in sacks all four seasons. In 2020, Watt finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting despite leading the NFL in sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hits in 15 games. He is a force as a pass rusher and against the run.
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Being a face of the franchise isn’t just about being the best player on the team (which Watt definitely is). Beyond his performance on the field, Watt has been a tremendous leader in the locker room. Further, he is popular outside of football due to the storylines of the three Watt brothers playing in the NFL at the same time. You’ve probably seen him numerous times on commercials. More importantly to the 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers, you see him causing problems in the backfield week after week. Expect T.J. Watt to be right in the thick of DPOY voting in 2021, and probably earn his third consecutive first-team All-Pro honor.
Cameron Heyward
No surprise here, either. Heyward has been a constant on lists like this numerous years in a row. Heyward perfectly toes the line of being an all-world football player and a locker room leader and upstanding citizen. Since 2017, Heyward has been right at the top of the “second best interior defensive lineman in the NFL” conversation. Over the past four seasons, Heyward has been a first-team All-Pro selection twice, second-team All-Pro once, and a Pro Bowler all four times. He has consistently found success against the run and the pass from the interior of the Steelers defensive line. Just like Watt, Heyward deservers much praise for the sustained success of that unit.
Off the field, Heyward has been a mature leader and strong veteran presence in the Steelers sometimes-dysfunctional locker room. He has been a captain every year since 2015 and will be every year for the rest of his career. Heyward has done great things for the city of Pittsburgh, too, earning himself numerous Walter Payton Man of the Year nominations. It might be a little cliché, but Cameron Heyward really represents “The Steeler Way” both on and off the field.
Honorable mentions: Minkah Fitzpatrick, JuJu Smith-Schuster
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
