3 Moves Steelers Must Make to Be Legitimate Super Bowl Contenders in 2020

With a season-ending injury to starting QB Ben Roethlisberger coming in Week 2 of the 2019 campaign, the Pittsburgh Steelers started this season way behind the eight ball. Yet somehow, this team managed to scrap its way to an 8-8 record despite starting a quarterback with the preferred name "Duck".

With an injury-riddled team, coach Mike Tomlin nearly pulled off the impossible, finishing just one win away from a sixth seed in the AFC playoffs. If the Steelers hope to sustain this success in 2020, here are some key moves that they must make.

3. Give Ben Roethlisberger the Help He Deserves

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will need a more help in 2020 if the team hopes to contend / Joe Sargent/Getty Images

After seeing the often-ineffective performances of Devlin "Duck" Hodges and Mason Rudolph in the wake of Big Ben's injury, Pittsburgh will need to re-tool some aspects of the offense in order to give the soon-to-be 38 year old Roethlisberger the help he deserves next season. While the team's offensive line played decently well in 2019, their pass-catchers left a lot to be desired. With JuJu Smith-Schuster dealing with numerous ailments throughout the season, Diontae Johnson and James Washington were forced to do a lot of heavy lifting in the offense. Adding an established veteran to this receiving corps (Emmanuel Sanders reunion anyone?) could really kick this offense into another gear next season.

Polls: Steelers fans not very confident in Ben Roethlisberger's recovery, QB situation https://t.co/S1taKtWDQW
— Post-Gazette Sports (@PGSportsNow) January 10, 2020

2. Find a Durable Starting RB

Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner had a rough 2019 campaign / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

James Conner led the team in rushing this past season with 464 yards. That is not the stat line of a RB1 for a true contender. While the team should keep Conner around (until his deal runs out), exploring the market for a more dynamic option at the position would not be a bad idea. With former Steeler great Le'Veon Bell reportedly on the chopping block in New York, a reunion could make a lot of sense for both sides.

RB Contract Extension Eligibility

Now
Derrick Henry, TEN
Christian McCaffrey, CAR
Dalvin Cook, MIN
Leonard Fournette, JAX
Joe Mixon, CIN
Alvin Kamara, NO
Marlon Mack, IND
James Conner, PIT
Phillip Lindsay, DEN

After 2020
S. Barkley, NYG
N. Chubb, CLE
R. Penny, SEA
S. Michel, NE
— Spotrac (@spotrac) January 5, 2020

1. Keep the Defense Intact

Pittsburgh Steelers OLB Bud Dupree is an impending free agent / Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

With pass-rushing specialist Bud Dupree (11.5 sacks in 2019) and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (83.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, a near-elite score for his position) hitting free agency, the Steelers must spend to retain their key contributors on defense. Without their powerful defensive unit, Pittsburgh may very well have been among the worst teams in the league last season.

If Pittsburgh can pull off these three moves, they could very well be a sneaky Super Bowl contender in 2020.