2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the Pittsburgh Steelers

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Pittsburgh Steelers

Schedule | Roster

The Steelers overcame an 0-4 start to get within one win of the playoffs a season ago. Down the stretch, the Steelers went 6-2 and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger commanded one of the NFL's most dynamic offenses. Unlike Steelers' teams of old, this one moved away from the power running game synonymous with "Steelers football" and instead made frequent use of the no-huddle and spread concepts. 

Expect the 2014 Steelers to move even further in this direction, with Roethlisberger afforded his greatest ever control over the offense. The 32-year-old will be highly motivated to succeed, as he's one of the NFL's most underpaid players and the Steelers have hinted he'll get a new contract after the season ends. 

In line with the philosophical change in playcalling, the Steelers made a clear attempt to reshape their roster this offseason. The plan was clear: get younger and faster, particularly on defense. This isn't your grandfather's Steelers anymore.

Preseason Power Ranking - #14

Roethlisberger still has some good years left in him, and Le'Veon Bell appears poised for a Pro Bowl-caliber season, but the team's problems come on the other side of the ball, and they'll need significant contributions from rookies to turn that around. More...

Key Additions/Departures

Key Additions: S Mike Mitchell, RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Lance Moore

Key Departures: LB LaMarr Woodley, LB Larry Foote, WR Emmanuel Sanders, WR Jerricho Cotchery, DT Ziggy Hood, S Ryan Clark

The Steelers will enter a new era in 2014, having cut ties with several veterans who played key roles in the Super Bowl teams of the last decade. Only seven players remain from the roster that defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII to cap the 2008 season.

The moves weren't only for salary cap reasons, but also because the Steelers know they must get younger and faster if they want to compete in today's pass-happy NFL. 

In typical Steelers' fashion, they didn't spend big on free agents from other teams. Instead, a big chunk of the available budget went to keeping rush linebacker Jason Worilds in Pittsburgh under the transition tag.

The free agents the Steelers did sign will mostly play complementary roles. Mike Mitchell comes in as a possible successor to Troy Polamalu. LeGarrette Blount will back up Bell and likely handle goal-line duties. Lance Moore will provide a very young receiving corps with some veteran leadership.

2014 Draft Class 

The Steelers emphasized speed in the draft, spending their first-round pick on ultra-athletic Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier. He brings with him the ability to get sideline to sideline in a flash, and should give defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau a fun new toy to play with in blitz packages.

Dri Archer and Martavis Bryant likely will serve as role players in their rookie seasons. The versatile Archer could be used to return punts and catch passes out of the the slot in addition to stealing a few carries out of the backfield, while the lanky Bryant may best contribute as a red zone target. 

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
Offensive Coordinator: Todd Haley
Defensive Coordinator: Dick LeBeau

After a rocky start to their relationship, second-year offensive coordinator Todd Haley and Roethlisberger seemed to finally gel in the latter half of the 2013 season. The key may have been Haley finally surrendering some control over the offense to his veteran passer. 

Roethlisberger tossed 16 touchdowns to just five interceptions as the Steelers went 6-2 over the second half of last season. Perhaps most importantly, Roethlisberger was sacked only 11 times - no small feat for a passer who is more willing than any of his peers to stand tall in the pocket until the last second in order to make a play. 

If the two can continue their positive relationship this season, the Steelers offense could be one of the NFL's most exciting units. 

2014 Schedule

As one of the NFL's marquee franchises, the Steelers will play the maximum five games in prime time in 2014 - all before their late bye in Week 12. 

Divisional games against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens will set the tone early in the campaign, and late-season games against the Cincinnati Bengals could determine whether the Steelers emerge as AFC North champions. 

Starting in Week 2, the Steelers must play four of five contests on the road. Seven of their final eight games in November and December are potential cold-weather games. 

Bold Predictions

Roethlisberger will contend for MVP. Big Ben is perennially one of football's most underrated players. It took him and offensive coordinator Haley a while to click, but they came together to produce one of the NFL’s best offenses in the second half of last season after realizing that the historically run-heavy Steelers now work best as a no-huddle team. Roethlisberger has two years remaining on his deal, but he’s underpaid and he’s been told to expect a new contract after the season. Look for big things from him in this pseudo contract year. -David Woods

Tomlin is fired at the end of the season. Tomlin may have two Super Bowl appearances and a championship ring on his finger, but if the Steelers miss the playoffs for a third straight year, his job will be in jeopardy. Pittsburgh boasts a winning tradition and it's probably the third best team in the division at the moment, so failure to reach the postseason again will likely force the Steelers to make changes. -Michael Amato

Archer makes the Pro Bowl as a returner.The Steelers pulled off a bit of a heist by landing Archer late in the third round of this year’s draft. The explosive back out of Kent State was slowed by injuries as a senior, but in 2012 he put up nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage and averaged nine yards per carry. Even more impressive was his ability as a kick returner, where he averaged 36.9 yards per return, including three touchdowns as a junior. Kent State opted to try and keep him healthy by not using him as a returner last season, but he still brought a kick back for a touchdown despite having only two opportunities. He should make a big difference to Pittsburgh’s special teams in 2014.  -Mike Dickson