Las Vegas Raiders 2021 Opponent Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers
By Brad Weiss
Las Vegas Raiders 2021 Opponent Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Subtractions
There were a few big losses for the Steelers this offseason, one on the offensive side of the ball, and another on defense. On offense, the team decided it was time to part ways with Alejandro Villanueva, Big Ben’s left tackle and one of the best in the game at what he does.
It did not take Villanueva long to find a new home, as he will replace Orlando Brown Jr. as the left tackle for Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, so the Raiders will see him one week earlier. Staying with the offensive line, Maurkice Pouncey decided it was time to retire, as Big Ben loses his starting center as well, and one who went to nine Pro Bowls and was three times named first-team All-Pro.
James Connor is also gone, heading to the desert to play for Arizona.
Bud Dupree is gone from the Steelers defense, as he found a home in Tennessee, where Mike Vrabel and company will look to revamp the worst defense that made the playoffs last season. Dupree was a constant for the Steelers through his first six seasons in the league, but he did have some injury issues, including a season-ending ACL tear in 2020.