The “skill positions” were not supposed to matter. Losing an all-pro wide receiver. Success with any running back they chose to play. The Steelers were designed to be able to handle any of this because of two major factors: Ben Roethlisberger, and an elite offensive line.
Rothlisberger’s 2019 season is over. He had avoided going on injured reserve for 15 years before finally succumbing to a season-ending injury. But with a possible replacement waiting in the wings in Mason Rudolph, it’s still should have been an acceptable transition for the team. But no matter who has been taking the snaps, the offensive line has not been living up to how they were billed going into the 2019 season.