Top 5 questions facing the Steelers as 2020 season looms

Every NFL team faces questions heading into a new season, even the defending Super Bowl champion.

But when a perennial contender misses the playoffs in back-to-back years, the questions stack up higher than the U.S. Steel Building.

The Steelers face their share as they prepare for the 2020 season, which begins Monday night at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants.

Here are five:

How will Ben Roethlisberger fare in his return from right elbow surgery?

If Roethlisberger can lead the Steelers back to the playoffs and come close to duplicating his 2018 numbers when he passed for an NFL-high 5,129 yards, he’ll be the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

If Roethlisberger’s right elbow doesn’t bounce back as expected, the Steelers could be in for a repeat of 2019, when they went 8-8 with Mason Rudolph and “Duck” Hodges taking most of the snaps.

It’s not an understatement to suggest the Steelers can go only as far as Roethlisberger can lead them. They are putting their faith in a 38-year-old, 17-year veteran who claims his arm feels stronger than it has in years. If Roethlisberger is correct, the Steelers could contend for their seventh Lombardi Trophy. If not, images could be conjured of Terry Bradshaw’s descent into retirement in 1983.

Will JuJu Smith-Schuster step up as a No. 1 wide receiver?

This question returns for a second year in a row. Smith-Schuster, of course, didn’t emerge as a top target in his first year without Antonio Brown on the roster.

Injuries were a factor as the former second-round pick was limited to 12 games. And without Roethlisberger throwing the ball, Smith-Schuster’s numbers dropped from 111 catches and 1,426 yards to 42 receptions and 552 yards.

There will be no excuses for Smith-Schuster this year, especially with the development of wideouts Diontae Johnson and James Washington, plus the presence of rookie Chase Claypool. Those are plenty of options for the Steelers, which will make it difficult for Smith-Schuster to draw continual double coverage.

Will Eric Ebron bring some sizzle to the tight end room?

Ebron is two years removed from scoring 13 touchdowns with the Indianapolis Colts. Last year, in a situation that should sound familiar to Steelers fans, he struggled to find a rhythm without his team’s franchise quarterback (Andrew Luck) on the field.

Ebron also ended the season on injured reserve, and the Colts were happy to let him test free agency. The Steelers gave him a two-year, $12 million deal with the belief he can be a productive target for Roethlisberger in the red zone.

Given Vance McDonald’s injury history, the Steelers were wise to bring in a veteran. Ebron also provides hope for the Steelers using multiple tight ends more frequently in 2020.

Can Steelers repeat the number of turnovers and sacks they created in 2019?

While the offense struggled to find the end zone without Roethlisberger, the defense kept creating plenty of opportunities. The Steelers topped the NFL with 38 takeaways, including 20 interceptions after getting just eight the previous year. The addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick in Week 3 solidified the back end of the defense.

Up front, Cameron Heyward had another Pro Bowl season, and T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree emerged as one of the NFL’s top pass-rushing duos. The Steelers led the NFL with 54 sacks.

The Steelers get defensive end Stephon Tuitt back on the field after an injury cut his 2019 season in half. And Fitzpatrick should only improve as he enters his first full season with the team. Those are reasons to suggest the 2019 statistics weren’t a fluke.

Will the middle of the defense find continuity with Vince Williams returning as a starter?

Williams became the odd man out last year when the Steelers gave Mark Barron most of the snaps alongside rookie first-rounder Devin Bush. Barron was the free agent du jour at inside linebacker after Jon Bostic lasted just one season as Ryan Shazier’s replacement.

Then, when the Steelers allowed 438 yards rushing in the final three games — all losses — they turned back to Williams and released Barron. Williams is an accomplished run-stopper, and the Steelers think his communication skills will negate a weakness last season.