The Pittsburgh Steelers enjoyed their fourth consecutive winning season in 2023. A familiar theme ended their campaign as the Steelers were completely outmatched once they reached the postseason. A successful season in 2024 would mean Pittsburgh gets over the hump by getting past the wild-card round.
Mike Tomlin became the Steelers' head coach in 2007 and the organization has continued its trend of being a model of consistency. The Steelers have miraculously never endured a losing season through Tomlin's 17 campaigns in charge. As impressive as that is, playoff success has eluded the storied franchise in recent years.
The Steelers have lost five consecutive playoff games. Tomlin's squad hasn't won a postseason contest since 2016, a season that ended with a 36-17 defeat to Tom Brady’s New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. The Steelers have come nowhere near matching that playoff success since.
Pittsburgh's recent shortcomings once the NFL league calendar flips to postseason football only highlight how far away they've been from truly competing with the AFC's elite. Tomlin's Steelers were blown out 31-17 this past campaign by the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round. In 2021, Patrick Mahomes and the Super Bowl title-defending Kansas City Chiefs swept the Steelers aside 42-21.
The organization made sweeping changes this offseason as a result. General manager Omar Khan and Tomlin admitted defeat on 2022 first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett, who was benched in favor of Mason Rudolph down the stretch of last season. Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for multiple draft picks.
The Steelers needed a replacement quarterback and signed nine-time Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson to a one-year contract worth the veteran minimum of $1.2 million. It represents a shrewd piece of unique business for the Steelers because the Denver Broncos owe Wilson $39 million in 2024. Acquiring Wilson comes with risk after he disappointed in two seasons with the Broncos, but there's no denying that even at this stage, his ceiling is higher than Pickett's and Rudolph's. Wilson will attempt to earn a long-term deal with the Steelers for 2025 and beyond.
In case his recent struggles follow him to Pittsburgh, the Steelers purchased insurance by trading for Justin Fields. Fields has been a standout performer at Steelers training camp. Wilson remains the favorite to begin Week 1 as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback, but the veteran could be on a short leash. Fields has designs on rehabilitating his reputation after failing to meet expectations with the Chicago Bears as a 2021 first-round selection.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports his belief that Justin Fields and NOT Russell Wilson Will be starting Week 1 for the Steelers pic.twitter.com/zG0eMkxQnW
— Davis Mattek (@DavisMattek) August 3, 2024
Whoever the starting QB is could benefit from an improved supporting cast. The Steelers greatly improved their offensive line during the 2024 draft by selecting Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier with their first two picks. Better protection should be the outcome.
Those aren't the only sizable changes the Steelers have undergone on the offensive side of the ball this season. Tomlin appointed Arthur Smith as his new offensive coordinator after concluding 2023 with an interim OC. Smith was once wildly popular as the Tennessee Titans OC, but his reputation took a hit following a frustrating stint as the Atlanta Falcons head coach.
Which version of Smith shows up to Pittsburgh will be critical to determining the team's ceiling in 2024. Smith will be tasked with not only maximizing Wilson and the passing game but also figuring out the backfield with Najee Harris entering a contract year. The receiving corps has been revamped to highlight George Pickens and third-round rookie Roman Wilson, though depth is a concern.
The defense hasn't experienced nearly as much change, nor did it need to after finishing sixth in points allowed per game (19.1) last season. Teryl Austin is still the defensive coordinator, and Tomlin will oversee the unit. Personnel upgrades include Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson at linebacker. The Steelers will also count on bigger years from Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton.
The Steelers have consistently qualified for the postseason in recent seasons but haven't proven capable of legitimately competing once they get there. Major changes occurred this offseason as a result. Winning a playoff game would equal a successful season for the Steelers in 2024.
