Three areas the Steelers must improve to be contenders this season
As the shadow of the NFL Combine loomed over last week, Pittsburgh Steelers GM Omar Khan made comments about how he and fans alike watched the Chiefs and 49ers from home. With Super Bowl LVIII a distant memory as we head into the NFL offseason, Khan looks to improve upon a Steelers 2023 season that saw the team finish third in their division, but make the playoffs as the final seed in the AFC due to a 10-7 record.
Pittsburgh’s playoff push ended with a 31-17 loss against the Buffalo Bills, detailing where the team needs improvement. Per polls, fans’ hopes that they can improve on this past season are high. However, Pennsylvania online gambling sites do not share their enthusiasm, as platforms like DraftKings have already listed Pittsburgh’s football franchise at +7,500 odds to go all the way in the 2024/25 season, giving them the tenth-worst odds in the NFL to do so, and the fifth-worse in AFC.
Below, we analyze three areas where the Steelers must make moves to become Super Bowl contenders.
Addressing the Defensive Line
Among the list of Steelers needs for the 2024 season is the trenches: and that goes for both sides of the football.
There may be concern that DE Cameron Heyward is nearing the end of his career after missing several games on IR last season and approaching his 35th birthday in May.
The Steelers re-signed Larry Ogunjobi and drafted Keeanu Benton last year, fortifying some of the ranks on this position group. However, DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk leave something to be desired as the top backup options. If there’s an injury to Heyward again, the group, and defense, will suffer.
Khan’s assistant GM Andy Weidl comes from the Philadelphia Eagles, who considered defensive line one of their main strengths, by rotating as many as eight players in a 4-3 defense. That philosophy should carry over into year two of the new front office as they approach adding to this position group via free agency and the NFL Draft.
Yet, some other needs may supersede the defensive line, but it will still be one of their top focal points during the spring months.
Fixing the Offensive Line
The continuation of fixing the Steelers offensive line coasts into 2024, as the team will definitely eye one, if not two new starters this offseason.
The center position gets the spotlight following the release of last year’s starter Mason Cole. Pittsburgh will likely sign a veteran player and look to add yet another center in the draft to replace him.
The other area of concern is tackle, where Khan drafted Broderick Jones as the left tackle of the future, but due poor play from Chukwuma Okorafor (who was also released this offseason) Jones was forced to play on the right side instead.
That leaves speculation as to left tackle Dan Moore‘s status heading into the final year of his rookie contract. Moore was among the lowest-rated players in the league and Khan confirmed that Jones was drafted to “play on the left side”. Pittsburgh should be looking at adding a right tackle to help Jones shift to his natural spot on the left.
Adding these new players should help a Steelers’ offensive line that struggled with inconsistent play throughout 2023. That impacted the running game, especially Najee Harris‘s performance early in the season, with many believing he was a “first round bust”. After the adjustment with Jones to the right, the o-line picked up their play, but it still must improve for whomever the Steelers starting quarterback will be in 2024…
Considering a New Quarterback
The most talked about thing concerning Pittsburgh football in the past few months has been the Steelers’ quarterback position. Sources say that the franchise is facing internal division over its quarterback situation. Most expect Kenny Pickett to compete with Mason Rudolph for the job, and the team prioritizes re-signing Rudolph after how he finished the last season.
However, that may depend on the direction of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Because of Smith’s signing, many will argue that both players should not be the team’s starting quarterback.
Yet, the quarterback market is slim this offseason. Speculation has started with several players, however, other rumors are management is not considering pursuing a veteran quarterback. Despite Kirk Cousins, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson getting linked with the Steelers, other reports say that Picket and Rudolph will stay with the team to compete for the starting job in training camp.
Time will tell if this is the Steelers’ management stance because there is an obvious need for fresh blood at quarterback in Pittsburgh. Bringing Rudolph back would be a wise decision, to at least trial if he or Pickett could lead the team into the future.
If not, then the rest of this contender talk may be all for naught.
