The Pittsburgh Steelers are less than two weeks to regular-season showdown with the Atlanta Falcons. And despite what might be the busiest offseason on record for this franchise, the work is not done. Here are the big three pieces of business the team has to handle before the start of the season.
The Joey Porter Jr. contract situation
Thankfully, throughout training camp and the preseason, the Steelers have been able to use the absence of Joey Porter Jr. to be reminded of just how good Asante Samuel Jr. is and allow for rookie Daylen Everett to develop as a player. Having said thats, it's time for Porter Jr. to fish or cut bait. The team wants to see him practice before they talk contract, so his next move is obvious. Practice. If not, he needs to be ready to either play on his current
deal or sit out.
Help on the offensive line
We didn't like the Broderick Jones trade, not because we thought he was the answer at tackle but because it leaves the Steelers woefully undermanned at offensive tackle. We still don't know if it will be Dylan Cook or Max Iheanachor starting in Week One but if it's Cook, the team's only swing guard is now in the starting lineup.
Get healthy
There were more than a handful of key players who missed significant amounts of time during training camp and the preseason with injuries. Starters like defensive backs Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey, as well as starting wide receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., have been shut out completely during the preseason. The team cannot afford to knock the rust off in Week One.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 3 needs the Steelers must still address before the start of the season
