Tim Benz: Steelers may be a middle of the road team, but these aren't middle of the road predictions

As the Pittsburgh Steelers head to training camp at Saint Vincent College, this is the time of year when many Pittsburgh media types (and fans) make a lot predictions about the upcoming season.

Except the predictions usually aren’t too bold.

They usually are couched with a bunch of “ifs” and “maybes.” A lot of, “The Steelers will be better if A, B and C happen. Steelers Player X will make the Pro Bowl, if the quarterback gets him the ball enough. The Steelers will win the division if they stay healthy and a bunch of bad breaks impact Cleveland, Baltimore and Cincinnati.”

Well, that’s not what you are getting here. I’m about to give definitive, clear-cut yes or no answers and predictions about what will happen with the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers.

Most of them will probably be wrong. But I guarantee you, they will be definitive.

Here’s a free one: However many games the Steelers lose, every loss will occur because offensive coordinator Matt Canada was “too predictable” and you “knew what play was coming from your couch,” Mike Tomlin could only win with Bill Cowher’s players, and (insert name of starting quarterback here) should be benched for (insert name of whoever is second string).

Or, in the case of the Steelers this year, maybe third string.

1. Will the offensive line be better?: Yes

Am I saying “yes” just so I can be snarky and say, “Well, they couldn’t be worse?”

Yes, I am. But even beyond that attempt at faint praise, I do think the offensive line will be marginally better.

I’m a huge fan of signing James Daniels at guard. Mason Cole should be a small improvement over Kendrick Green at center. And if he isn’t, Green should be better, bigger and stronger than last year.

Maybe that’ll help him win the other guard job over Kevin Dotson. Or perhaps Dotson will find his 2020 form.

Who knows why the Steelers are sold on Chuks Okorafor and Dan Moore Jr. at tackle, but with another year of maturity and confidence, I can even see those two raising their level of play.

So, yes, I’m (clears throat) “optimistic” that the offensive line will take baby steps forward in 2022.

Steelers 2022 training camp preview

• All eyes on offense when Steelers open 1st post-Ben training camp
• Steelers vow to get back to 'the standard' of stopping the run on defense
• Mark Madden's Hot Take: Steelers have a method with rookies, so expect Kenny Pickett to be 3rd string

2. Will Najee Harris get fewer touches?: No

After 381 touches as a rookie, he should. The Steelers overused their rookie running back, yet he somehow managed to avoid significant injury.

They’ll talk about reeling back his attempts. They’ll act like it’s on the agenda. But Tomlin will revert back to his “run him until the wheels fall off” credo. Especially if they don’t find a backup better than Benny Snell.

3. Will the Steelers defense be a top-5 unit?: No

The defense isn’t elite. but it has three elite players: T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Everybody else is average to above average.

Even forgetting the 32nd-ranked run defense (146.1 yards per game) a year ago, the team was 24th in total defense (361.1) and 20th in points allowed (23.4).

4. Does Larry Ogunjobi fix the run defense?: No

He is coming off a significant foot injury and has a reputation of gambling to create splash plays in the backfield instead of occupying blocks when that is his assignment.

Ogunjobi helps. He’s a really good player, but he doesn’t fix the problems himself. I wonder if Myles Jack and a healthier Devin Bush help matters more.

5. Will Tomlin voluntarily start Kenny Pickett this year?: Yes

At some point, I think that will happen. Maybe as early as Week 7 after the Steelers start 2-4 (at best) against that brutal schedule.

6. Will Mason Rudolph be cut or traded?: Yes

It might not happen in training camp. But at some point before the trade deadline, somebody is going to need a backup quarterback. It won’t take much to get Rudolph from the Steelers. And he doesn’t cost much ($4 million) against the cap.

7. If the Steelers don’t extend Diontae Johnson’s contract, will they regret it by season’s end?: No

Johnson might have another Pro Bowl-worthy season. But with George Pickens, Chase Claypool, Pat Freiermuth and Harris as viable receiving weapons — not to mention what will probably be another stocked class of draftable and free-agent wideouts next spring — the Steelers won’t be kicking themselves over that decision.

8. Where will the Steelers finish in the AFC North?: Third

The Bengals weren’t a fluke. They’ll repeat.

The Ravens have warts and constant injury concerns just like the Steelers do. But I’ll bank on Lamar Jackson before I will any of the Steelers quarterbacks.

And until I know when Deshaun Watson is coming back, I’m ranking the Browns fourth. With the chaos always swirling around that team and the rust built up on Watson’s shoulders, I may pick them fourth even if Watson’s suspension is relatively short.

Steelers 2022 training camp positional breakdowns

• Offense
• Defense
• Specialists

9. Will the Steelers make the playoffs?: No

I don’t have enough faith in Canada’s offense, nor in Trubisky, to run it at a playoff level. Plus, I don’t think the defense is the rock that many others believe it is.

I’m predicting the 2022 Steelers will be an eight- or nine-win team. They’ll finish eighth or ninth in the conference standings and just miss out on the playoffs.

So the streak of seasons without a playoff win will become six, extending that record run of futility in the post-Immaculate reception era.

10. When things go wrong, will fans default to complaining about the Heinz Field name change?: Yes

Of all the predictions I’ve made here, I’m most sure of this one.

Dare I say, I’m Acri-sure.