3 Big Changes Steelers Must Make in 2024 Offseason After NFL Playoff Loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a valiant late-season push to reach the playoffs as the AFC's No. 7 seed. However, their spirit run came to an end with Monday's 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Before the postseason, there was some chatter about the Steelers potentially reassessing head coach Mike Tomlin with another early postseason exit.
"Yeah, I've heard rumblings," one unnamed league executive told The Athletic's Mike Sando.
Tomlin is entering the final year of his contract, but parting with him a year early wouldn't make a ton of sense. Yes, Pittsburgh is 3-8 in the postseason over the past 13 years—and last won a playoff game in 2016—but Tomlin has never delivered a sub-.500 record.
The Steelers are consistently in position to make the playoffs with Tomlin leading the charge, and that should again be the case in 2024. However, if Pittsburgh wants to go deeper in the postseason next year, they need to make a few big changes in the coming months.
Find a New Quarterback of the Future
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Longtime backup Mason Rudolph started for the Steelers on Monday, as he did in the previous three games. He initially got the starting job when 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett underwent ankle surgery. However, Rudolph kept the gig even after Pickett was healthy.
"He's aggressive in style of play, and I think that's helpful, particularly when you're up against it," Tomlin said of Rudolph back on January 1, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
Pittsburgh's offense has been better since Rudolph replaced Pickett. That didn't show up as much against Buffalo, but in Rudolph's three regular-season starts, the Steelers averaged 27 points per game. They averaged just 17.9 points per game over the course of the season.
It's a telling statement on just how underwhelming Pickett has been. He's done some nice things over the past two seasons—he rarely appears rattled and protects the football—but he's struggled to push the ball downfield and generate big plays.
The loss to Buffalo showed just how difficult it is to win in this league when playmakers like Josh Allen are playing for the opposition. Rudolph, who will be a free agent in March, probably isn't the long-term answer. The Steelers need to at least bring in competition at quarterback, ideally someone who can supplant Pickett as the quarterback of the future.
Pittsburgh must seriously consider targeting a prospect like LSU's Jayden Daniels in April's draft.
Invest in Off-Ball Linebackers
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Last offseason, the Steelers took some sizeable swings at the cornerback position, signing Patrick Peterson and drafting Joey Porter Jr. However, Pittsburgh didn't focus heavily on the non-rush linebacker spot.
In free agency, the Steelers added the likes of Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts, and they brought back Myles Jack in November.
The defense saw some improvement on the back end—ranking 17th in passing yards allowed after ranking 19th in 2022—but its run defense has become a major issue. Allen, James Cook and the Bills repeatedly ran over the Steelers on Monday, and it's not a new problem.
Pittsburgh finished the year ranked 19th in rushing yards allowed and 21st in yards per carry allowed.
The headliners of Pittsburgh's linebacker corps are pass-rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The Steelers desperately need to add a top-tier run defender between them—their version of division rivals Roquan Smith and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
The Steelers are projected to be $6.7 million over the cap, but it would be wise to clear some space and target a quality off-ball linebacker like Patrick Queen or Devin White in free agency.
Replace Dan Moore Jr. at Left Tackle
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Whether the Steelers replace Pickett or not, they need to get more out of the quarterback position. They'll be in the market for a new offensive coordinator after firing Matt Canada in-season. That can't really be considered a change—though keep an eye on potential candidates like San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak.
The Steelers can help their quarterback by shaking up the offensive line. The unit played better after rookie Broderick Jones took over at right tackle, but left tackle Dan Moore Jr. remains a liability.
According to Pro Football Focus, Moore was responsible for three penalties and eight sacks allowed in 2023. Releasing him would save $1.1 million in cap space.
While the free-agent market isn't particularly impressive at the tackle position, the draft is expected to have some intriguing options. The Bleacher Report Scouting Department ranked seven offensive tackles among its top 60 prospects on its latest big board.
If Pittsburgh believes that Jones can kick over to the lest side it could target a prospect like Georgia's Amarius Mims in the draft. Or it could take a chance on a left tackle prospect like Houston's Patrick Paul.
One way or another, the Steelers need to replace Moore, who is entering the final year of his contract and has continually shown that he's average at best.
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.
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