On December 4, 2017, it’s an usually warm night at 63 degrees with light rain. The Pittsburgh Steelers are visiting the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in an AFC North contest. The Steelers are riding a 6 game winning streak and enter the contest at 9-2 looking to get the season sweep of the Bengals. Cincinnati, off a win against divisional opponent, Cleveland Browns, entered the contest at 5-6. A few minutes after the 1st quarter had started the Bengals were on the Steelers 20 yard line, looking to get the first points of the night. It’s 2nd & 5 and Andy Dalton calls hut and completes the ball to wide receiver Josh Malone who is running a shallow crossing route across the middle of the field. Ryan Shazier sees this and makes the tackle. However during the tackle he hits the top of his helmet and slumps to the ground. He manages to flip himself over as he moves his hands to signal for help while clutching his lower back. There is an eerie silence as both teams watch him get put into a stretcher and carried away off the field. It is later revealed Ryan suffered a spinal contusion that would need surgery and effectively not only end his season but his career as a NFL player. What would have happened if Ryan never got hurt? This is What if, Ryan Shazier never got hurt.
Ryan was the 1st round draft pick of the Steelers in 2014. Coming out of Ohio State Ryan was a new age linebacker that lacked traditional size in favor of exceptional speed. He ran his 40 yard dash in 4.38 seconds at 238 lbs. The Steelers envisioned him to be the quarterback of the defense and building block of the franchise. After starting only 5 games a rookie and totaling only 36 tackles, he took a major leap his sophomore season. He played and started in 12 games and totaled 87 tackles, 3 ½ sacks and 1 interception. The following season matched his previous season stats with 87 tackles, 3 ½ sacks and 3 interceptions. He was named to his first pro bowl for his efforts. In 2017 prior to the injury, Shazier was on his way to a career high in every statistical category. He was named to his 2nd pro bowl and was on his way to a lucrative pay day.
If Shazier did not get hurt he was on his way to having 118 tackles , 4 interceptions which would have been a career year. The Steelers finished the season at 13-3 and played the Jacksonville Jaguars in the divisional round. This was a rematch for the Steelers who lost 30-9 in a week 5 matchup. In their first matchup, Shazier had 8 tackles and 1 pass deflection. In the divisional round, with the confidence from his team and coaches, Ryan flies all over the field making plays and is disruptive in the passing game. He is able to force a turnover and help the Steelers beat the Jaguars 35-31.
The AFC championship round, the Steelers played the New England Patriots who they faced in week 15 and lost in a close matchup 27-24. Shazier did not play in their first matchup but in this universe he is available and a key defensive chess piece. Ryan is tasked with covering all pro tight end Rob Gronkowski who in their 1st match up had 9 catches for 168 yards. As prolific as the Patriots were offensively (they were ranked 1st in yards per game), the Steelers defense (ranked 5th in yards allowed per game) had the answer to slow down Brady and his offense. The game is close and comes down to Brady having the last drive. It’s 4th and 5 and Brady needs this first down to get them into field goal range to beat the Steelers. Brady calls hut and looks to his go to target, Gronkowski who is running a seam route with Shazier close on his hips. Shazier is able to break up the play at the last second and clinches the Steelers chance to get Lombardi trophy 7 beating the Patriots 24-22.
Super Bowl 52 is the battle of Pennsylvania. Steelers versus the Eagles, winner takes all. Philly was only 1 of 4 teams that ranked higher than the Steelers in yards allowed, but the offense was clicking with the Killer B’s and the defense was very opportunistic and Pittsburgh was favored to win. Philly’s go to target was tight end Zach Ertz and Shazier again was tasked with defending the pro bowl player. The team went back and forth putting up touchdown after touchdown. Shazier however made some key plays such as sacking Nick Foles and forcing a fumble on former Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount. Those plays were enough to be the difference and the Steelers were able to capture Superbowl title 7 with a score of 34-33.
That offseason, the Steelers rewarded Shazier with a new contract that makes him the highest paid middle linebacker in the NFL for his coverage and playmaking ability. The 2018 offseason, Pittsburgh looks to strengthen the defense and instead of signing Morgan Burnett, they focus their attention to the Honey badger Tyrann Mathieu, who inks a 3 year deal. They also made a trade for cornerback Marcus Peters of the Kansas City Chiefs, sending a 4th round pick and a 2nd round pick in 2019. In the 2018 NFL draft the Steelers traded their 1st round pick (32nd overall) along with their 3rd round pick (92nd overall) to New England for their 1st round pick (23rd overall) and OT Isaiah Wynn from the University of Georgia. They also drafted WR D.J. Chark from LSU in the 2nd round and TE Mark Andrews in the 3rd round from the University of Oklahoma.
With youth added along the offense and talent to bring the Steelers defense from great to elite, the 2018 season is truly Superbowl or bust. Shazier is in discussion for Defensive player of the year finishing with a career 140 tackles, 5 sacks and 4 interceptions. The Steelers finish 13-3 and earn the #1 seed. They beat the Colts in the divisional round and beat the Patriots in the conference round to play the Los Angeles Rams in the Superbowl. The Steelers #1 ranked defense versus the #2 ranked offense of the Rams is a historic battle with Pittsburgh looking to repeat as champions and get Lombardi #8. The Rams, who relied on RB Todd Gurley most of the year can’t run the ball as effectively due to the speed and IQ of Shazier who is able to get into the backfield and gets 5 tackles for a loss. The Steelers beat the Rams 28-10 and the team is labeled a dynasty.
The 2019 offseason rolled along and QB Ben Roethlisberger decided to call it a career and retire. The Steelers not having the draft capital to go after top QB prospects in Kyler Muarry and Josh Allen look towards the trade market. They buy low on Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannenhill and he becomes the de facto QB1. With an elite defense and an offense with young upcoming stars the Steelers are favored to to be a playoff team. However the dreaded injury bug comes along and Ryan Shazier is lost for the year on a torn ACL. Pittsburgh finishes 8-8 and doesn’t qualify for the playoffs.
2020 after recovery from a knee injury Shazier comes back but loses a little bit of his athleticism but still is an impactful defender though nowhere close to his pre-injury form. He finishes with 103 tackles, 2 interceptions and 3 sacks. The Steelers finish the season 9-7 and end up losing in the wildcard to the Buffalo Bills.
The 2021 season the Steelers know that with the defense carrying this team they are a QB away from competing and making a Superbowl run. In the 2021 draft the Steelers package their 1st, 2nd and 4th round and 2nd round from the following year to move up and select QB Justin Fields from Ohio State University. Ryan becomes a mentor to the young QB due to their college connection. Behind Shazier and the opportunistic defense with a young QB and strong running game led by James Conner and 2nd year RB J.K. Dobbins the Steelers hope to turn last year’s early playoff exit into a deep playoff run. The Steelers finish 10-7 and the 4th seed in the AFC playoff picture. They make it to the conference round where they lose to the eventual Superbowl Champions, Kansas City Chiefs. Shazier finishes the season with 125 tackles, 5 sacks and 3 interceptions.
All in all, Ryan Shazier was a defensive centerpiece for the Steelers. He was the new age linebacker that the league was coveting. His presence in the middle of the defense was going to be a force to reckon with. Unfortunately, that December night in 2017 changed the trajectory of Shazier as well as the Steelers organization.