Every NFL offense is powered by a great quarterback, running back and wide receiver. Teams that have elite triplets are almost always more successful regardless of the rest of the roster. NFL.com writer Ali Bhanpuri put together his own ranking of all 32 NFL teams based on their own triplets and you know we are here for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Obviously, the Steelers have made some changes over the past two years. Running back Le’Veon Bell hasn’t played for the Steelers since the end of the 2017 season and wide receiver Antonio Brown was traded to the Oakland Raiders this offseason. This leaves James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster to round out the Steelers’ triplets with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
According to Bhanpuri, this group is good enough for No. 11 in the league. Is this too low or just right? I suppose it depends on your perspective. Conner had a great first season as a starter in 2018 despite missing three games with an injury. And Smith-Schuster led the team in receptions and receiving yards even with Brown on the roster.
The ranking puts five AFC teams ahead of the Steelers. The Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers all ranked higher. It stings to be ranked so low and especially behind the Browns, but it’s never about where you start and always about how you finish.
