Steelers' Biggest Keys To Having Successful NFL Offseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the few NFL teams that missed the playoffs in 2022 but could still consider its season success.

Pittsburgh notched yet another non-losing season under head coach Mike Tomlin. More importantly, it improved throughout the season while developing rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett for the future.

The Steelers won seven of their final nine games while Pickett threw five touchdowns and just one interception in his final seven.

Now, Pittsburgh will look to build on its 2022 campaign and get back to the playoffs in 2023. To do that, though, the Steelers will have to successfully navigate the offseason. It won't be easy, as they're projected to be just over the salary cap, but having several high draft picks—including the 17th and 32nd overall selections (the first in Round 2, from the Chicago Bears)—will help.

Here are three keys for a successful Steelers offseason in 2023.

Upgrade the Offensive Line

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Steelers G Kevin Dotson

The Steelers offensive line took positive steps in 2022, and most of the unit, including right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, was solid.

However, the Steelers could stand to improve the interior of their offensive line. Despite having a quality running back in Najee Harris, Pittsburgh ranked a disappointing 25th in yards per carry (4.1). It also allowed 38 sacks on the season—not terrible, but not great either.

Pittsburgh should look for an upgrade over left guard Kevin Dotson, who finished the year with four sacks allowed and 12 penalties, according to Pro Football Focus. It should also look to replace left tackle Dan Moore Jr., who was responsible for 10 penalties and seven sacks allowed, per PFF.

If Pittsburgh can free up the necessary cap space, targeting proven veterans like Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and guards Ben Powers or Nate Davis would make plenty of sense.

Given Pittsburgh's cap situation, though, it could be more logical to address the line in the draft. A prospect like Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr.—the 13th-ranked prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board—would be ideal.

"Johnson is an extremely athletic, coordinated mover with the movement skills and body control to play on an island in pass-protection while being an asset in the zone run game," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

Pittsburgh's primary goal should be to continue developing Pickett, and improved protection and a better run game would support him tremendously.

Find a Playmaking Linebacker

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Arkansas LB Drew Sanders

Defensively, the Steelers should look to add a playmaker at the second level. Devin Bush, Robert Spillane, Malik Reed, Marcus Allen and Jamir Jones (exclusive rights) are all scheduled to become free agents on March 15.

The Steelers could also look to move on from 2022 addition Myles Jack, as releasing him would save $8 million off the salary cap.

Ideally, Pittsburgh will also find a linebacker who can cover—the Steelers ranked 25th in net yards per pass allowed (6.5) last season.

If it's financially feasible, Tennessee Titans linebacker David Long Jr. would be a prime free-agent target. Long was great against the pass in 2022, allowing an opposing passer rating of only 74.1 in coverage, according to Pro Football Reference.

Pittsburgh could also look to target a linebacker like Arkansas' Drew Sanders in the second round.

"Sanders is excellent in coverage and has few flaws. He's athletic enough to cover running backs and tight ends in man coverage and has the instincts to be effective in zone, too," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

Pittsburgh had a good defense in 2022, one ranked 10th in points allowed. If the Steelers can reload and even improve their linebacker corps, they can take another step toward fielding an elite defense in 2023.

Expand Matt Canada's Offense

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Steelers OC Matt Canada

Pittsburgh fans probably weren't overly thrilled with the play calling of second-year coordinator Matt Canada in 2022. While keeping things simple may have made things easier for Pickett, the Steelers offense was remarkably bland and unpredictable.

The Steelers finished the year ranked just 23rd in yards and 26th in scoring. However, they decided to stick with Canada in order to give Pickett some continuity.

"With a new offensive coordinator, you'd start all over again. We felt there was enough there to build on," Steelers president Art Rooney II said, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Continuity is great, but expanding Canada's offense and adding a little more creativity to his packages would be very beneficial. It should also be part of the natural progression for a second-year quarterback like Pickett.

The Pittsburgh product showed that he can play the game manager role as a rookie. Now it's time for him to absorb advanced passing concepts, make multiple reads and drive the ball downfield. If he can do that, it should spark a passing attack that rarely stretched the field despite having playmakers like Diontae Johnson and George Pickens last season.

In short, Canada must give Pickett much more with which to work next season, and that starts in the offseason.

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*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.