Five Takeaways From The Steelers Preseason Finale
The Steelers have officially wrapped up the preseason. Unfortunately, they lost all three games. Fortunately, they don’t matter. The preseason is more about evaluating what you’re getting from your players, not the game’s result. NFC heavyweight Detroit Lions beat the Steelers 24-17 in the preseason finale, but there is much to take from the game.
5. Russell Wilson Is QB1
He only played one drive, but Russell Wilson looked good in the Steelers’ final preseason game. He completed both pass attempts, including a 32-yard hookup with George Pickens to get the Steelers down the field in a hurry on the game-opening drive. That drive ended in the Steelers’ first touchdown since week one of the preseason.
Since Wilson played just one drive, that makes it pretty clear that the Steelers will be riding with him as the starter to open the season. Justin Fields played three drives after Wilson, leading the Steelers down the field for a touchdown. It’s Wilson’s team as of right now, but Fields will be waiting for his moment.
4. Improvement From The Offensive Line
They still weren’t perfect, but the Steelers’ offensive line looked much better in the preseason finale than they did in the two weeks prior. Last week, Wilson was sacked three times and Fields ate one himself. The week before that, Fields and Kyle Allen got sacked three times. This week, Wilson went untouched on his one drive, while Fields got sacked twice. It’s small, but it’s still an improvement from a unit that still needs time to gel.
3. Defense Looked Good Despite No Stars
Nick Herbig was his usual self in the final preseason game, and he even got some help in the sack department. Julius Welschof picked up two sacks while DeMarvin Leal and Keeanu Benton each had half a sack. That’s good production for a unit that is without their three best pass rushers. Add TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Cam Heyward to the equation and Kirk Cousins is already losing sleep over the week one matchup.
2. What Is Cordarrelle Patterson’s Role?
Steelers fans got their first real taste of Cordarrelle Patterson in week three of the preseason. He leads the way for the Steelers on the ground, gathering 31 yards on three rushing attempts. He got stuffed on two of his attempts, but also took a 31-yard run to the endzone untouched.
What will Patterson’s full role be with the Steelers? It will be tough to get him a ton of touches at running back with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren back there. The Steelers will get to benefit from his services in the kick return department, as Patterson is the second-best kick returner ever. Behind Hall of Famer Devin Hester, of course. Maybe he will even split out wide and catch some passes for an awkward Steelers receiver room.
1. Nick Herbig Is The Steelers Preseason MVP
The Steelers might have a star on their hands. The development of Nick Herbig has taken a big step this offseason. He dominated the preseason for the Steelers. In the week three game against the Lions, Herbig had two sacks, two solo tackles, and two tackles for loss. Last week, he had one and a half sacks, and in the preseason opener, he was flying around as well.
It looks like the Steelers have a serious player to come into the game when Watt or Highsmith need a breather. Herbig will be a big reason that this is the Steelers’ deepest defensive unit in years. He spent the offseason training with Watt and putting on weight. Steelers fans have to be excited about Herbig's preseason.
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