Pittsburgh Steelers

Cowher: Steelers are very close to being top contender

Published Feb. 2, 2016 1:44 p.m. ET

foxsports

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher believes his old team is very close to being the team to beat in the NFL.

The Steelers, one of three early Vegas favorites for next year's Super Bowl, were perhaps a fumble away from knocking off the Broncos in the divisional round in Denver last month. The fact that they came so close with Ben Roethlisberger ailing and Antonio Brown and DeAngelo Williams out. Add in the extended absences of Le'Veon Bell and Maurkice Pouncey, and Cowher believes Pittsburgh has a recipe to vault to the top of the league in 2016, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Cowher added that the secondary is the biggest question mark heading into next season, but believes Pittsburgh shouldn't make too many drastic changes.

Health was the biggest stumbling block for the Steelers in 2016, but they still managed to finish 10-6 and make the postseason. Defense will certainly be a priority in the draft, but the Steelers will also have last year's second-round pick Senquez Golson back in the fold after missing his entire rookie season.