Kirk Herbstreit says the Pittsburgh Steelers are a 'team to look out for' in 2023

The AFC North is getting plenty of attention considering how deep the division is once again. With that said, Kirk Herbstreit says anyone that’s fully counting the Pittsburgh Steelers out in that race is taking a gamble.

Herbstreit named the Steelers as a team to take note of during the upcoming NFL season on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Monday. He said it’s odd to see the franchise in its current low-profile position considering their current streak of winning seasons and how often they cause problems, at least within their division.

“I think the Steelers can be a sneaky team, kind of a forgotten team,” said Herbstreit. “I just think that they’re just never used to being a team that going into the season? There’s so much focus, obviously, on the Bengals, (Joe) Burrow, even Lamar (Jackson), and for good reason with what the Ravens consistency has been. The Steelers have always been a team that’s always been a playoff contender.”

“I don’t know. Because of the way their offense has been as they’ve transitioned with a new OC, new quarterback? I just feel like people don’t talk much about them,” Herbstreit said. “That organization has too much pride.”

One reason he feels like Pittsburgh will catch some people off guard is their offense. With more experience with the system and with their players, specifically QB Kenny Pickett, he believes the Steeler offense, which finished 26th a season ago, will pair better with a defensive unit that’s usually one of the better ones in the league.

“Pickett now has got a year under his belt, they’ve gotten better around him. Najee (Harris)? I was hearing talk the other day about how banged up he was going into the season last year. He has had an entire offseason to get right. And, again, a guy with another year under his belt,” said Herbstreit. “I think the defense is finally healthy.”

“If (Pickett) can be consistent? Then they start to become one of those teams that becomes a tough out,” said Herbstreit.

To be fair, the AFC North is by no means a cakewalk. Cincinnati, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland all have pros and cons that make them contenders in the division. It’s just that, to Herbstreit, the Steelers are becoming the team that isn’t going to give anyone else an inch or will just roll over amidst the rest of the competition.

“I’m not saying they’re going to win the North,” Herbstreit said. “I just think that they’ve got a team that could be a – it’s fun to look for those teams that could surprise. And I think the Steelers could be a team to look out for.”