It seems as though Week 15 was the final straw for Tomlin’s winning season streak. The Indianapolis Colts destroyed the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky for the second straight week, 30-13, dropping the team’s record to 7-7. However, Pittsburgh overcame a three-game losing run to go to the postseason for the eleventh time in the previous seventeen seasons under Tomlin’s coaching.

After Buffalo’s Steelers season concluded, focus turned to the NFL offseason of 2024. What areas of weakness need to be addressed, and where should the team aim to upgrade?

 

Even though the roster isn’t flawless, the Steelers’ best chance of winning before the next campaign is to find a new offensive coordinator. The fact that the club made it to the playoffs once more shows how talented they already are. But it’s clear that the team isn’t making the most of its playmakers when it comes to offensive efficiency.

During the season, the Steelers have already started to address their most pressing need. They need to land safely now.

Pittsburgh’s roster in good shape

Bravo to Tomlin and the Steelers for changing coordinators midseason, something the team hadn’t done since 1941. As seen by the stride back Kenny Pickett appeared to take in his second NFL season, offensive coordinator Matt Canada had to leave.

Additionally, Tomlin’s efforts to find a new coordinator have begun well inasmuch as they are searching outside the company. One more step in the correct way.

Because coaching appears to be more of a problem than talent, based on a quick look at the offense-focused depth chart of the Steelers and what can be expected from key players in 2024.

Pittsburgh seems to have uncovered a gem in running back Jaylen Warren, who rushed for nearly 800 yards while receiving more than 100 carries fewer than Najee Harris. While Warren deserves a bigger share moving forward, Harris has cracked the 1,000-yard mark in all three of his NFL seasons, and provides a perfect battering-ram option to Warren’s elusiveness.

Despite some unpleasant moments, George Pickens, a wide receiver, caught 63 catches for 1,140 yards during his sophomore campaign. Diontae Johnson, his opponent, battled injuries but yet recorded the highest yards per reception of his career (14.1). And the Steelers have an amazing talent for drafting impact receivers, should they decide they need another one.

The Steelers’ offensive line was 12th in terms of run blocking win rate and 17th in terms of pass blocking win rate. While there is always room for improvement, this season’s biggest problem for the squad wasn’t the line.

Do the Steelers have their QB?

Mike Tomlin already said that Kenny Pickett would be back in 2024 as QB1 after a rocky second season, both in terms of performance and staying healthy. While it would be wise to bring in competition at the game’s most important position, the entire offensive infrastructure needs re-making.

Look at how Mason Rudolph performed to finish the season. In two of his three starts, he averaged over 10 yards per pass attempt, threw for 270+ yards, and avoided any interceptions.

And that’s with an interim offensive coordinator and an interim play-caller!

Point being, unless Patrick Mahomes professes a desire to be traded to Steel City, the Steelers should feel good about the offensive side of the ball’s potential.

All comes down to new Steelers offensive coordinator 

The best thing the Steelers can do is hire a creative offensive coordinator to modernize the offense and get the most out of the present roster.

Pittsburgh’s brain trust has done a fine job filling the depth chart out with capable players. But if those players aren’t being put in positions to succeed, what good is it to have a dynamic weapon such as Pickens or Warren?

Kenny Pickett might not be the guy, but it’s tough to argue that a season-and-a-half in a Canada system is enough to make that determination.

Selecting 23rd in the upcoming draft will likely mean no worthy quarterbacks will be available to take. A trade for someone such as Justin Field of the Bears is intriguing, but will likely be costly.

Rather, a new play-caller on offense that can optimize what the Steelers already have is going to have the biggest impact for next season. So while it’s fun to pour over potential free agents, or dream of a player sliding in the draft, the path for the Steelers is much simpler, although not an easy one.

Nail the offensive coordinator hire, and the improvements will come.