The Steelers offseason was one of upheaval and change. For an organization that generally moves at glacial speed, the news has been fast and furious all spring and summer. Finally, the team will get a chance to display the new faces and overhauled playbooks in Atlanta this Sunday. It feels like it’s been a long time coming, yet the season will be gone again before we know it.

The attention will be firmly directed at the QB position come gametime, but how that position goes will depend greatly on the big men lining up in front of him. Injuries are already a factor, and rookies and backups alike will be thrown into the fire right away. How they play will greatly determine the success or failure of the new offensive game plan debut.

The Falcons defense is a very underrated unit. Newcomers Justin Simmons and OLB Matt Judon will be on the field looking to make an impact in front of their home crowd. DT Grady Jarrett and NT David Onyemata are quite formidable and expect to take advantage of the inexperienced young Steelers line. Ta’Quon Graham impressed the new coaching staff in Atlanta and provides quality depth.

Ta’Quon Graham is entering a contract year. He’s fully healthy, unlike last year, and back in a defense he’s succeeded in.

Graham, who coaches called tough, violent & physical, has had a good summer.

“I feel like TQ is just gaining confidence by the day.”https://t.co/Jbz4NnUYAg

— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) September 2, 2024

It will not be easy sledding in the dome for the Black and Gold, especially when considering the “two” of their one-two punch at running back has a tweaked hammy and is questionable to start or be effective. Jaylen Warren has declared himself ready to go, but hamstrings can go from “I think it’s good” to “SOMETHING BIT ME” in the blink of an eye, and I will be holding my breath in fear if the coaching staff gives Warren any carries on Sunday.

Good looking stuff from Jaylen Warren….hamstring feeling better pic.twitter.com/csepqCcVlT

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) September 2, 2024

It’s not that I’m predicting all doom and gloom for the season opener. I just want to caution Steeler Nation that the first few games might look like a redo of last season, where the offense stalls and sputters, while the defense has to carry the team. I’m as ready as anyone to see some sustained drives with plays executed on time as they were drawn up, but I’m not sure if the O-line will be able to deliver that right out of the gates. Russell Wilson will probably be running for his life and having to throw check-downs more often than not. It may be a few weeks before we get to see the tight ends make an impact in the passing game, or a clean pocket that allows for a deep moon ball to be delivered downfield for a splash play.

The offense could be ugly and frustrating for the first half, or even the entire game. It’s a new system with rookies starting that will be experiencing live fire for the first time. Don’t let it ruin your season in the first fifteen minutes. This team will be a work in progress early on. Hopefully, the injury bug can give the team a break and rookies will step up and impress with some early starts under their belt. Keep that in mind as you watch. The first game does not make or break the season. There is no must win game until it’s the one that mathematically eliminates the team from the playoffs. Just ask the team from 2005.

The talking heads will be declaring loudly on Monday morning that every team that lost in week one is in big trouble. They are not. The first game will only be scratching the surface of what each team will be in December. What happens in Atlanta will not be setting a template for every game to come. Everyone is excited for the season to be here. Don’t let that immediately turn to disappointment and anger if the offense struggles. It’s been a long offseason. Steeler Nation is here for the long haul. If it’s ugly, that’s ok. We know ugly, hard fought wins. At some point this season, both the organization and the fans should expect to see vast improvements on the offensive side of the ball compared to prior years. For the first game. I’ll just be happy to see the Steelers in action, and hope they manage to gut out a victory in any manner they can. If not, I’ll be there for week two, just like you.