Steelers' Biggest Weaknesses Ahead of 2024 NFL Training Camp
The Pittsburgh Steelers were once again a playoff team in 2023. However, an early playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills left Pittsburgh back at the proverbial drawing board in the spring.
After some careful self-evaluation, the Steelers decided to address their biggest weakness by replacing quarterback Kenny Pickett with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. If the new QB duo provides more potency under center—and it should—Pittsburgh will have a great chance at getting deeper into the postseason.
The Steelers also reloaded well during the draft, giving them a roster that looks strong on paper. Yet, this doesn't mean that Pittsburgh has a Super Bowl-ready squad.
With organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamps in the rear view, the Steelers have another chance to evaluate what they have and consider whether their $16.2 million in remaining camp space to address needs is necessary.
Below, you'll find a look at Pittsburgh's top remaining weaknesses with training camp roughly a month-and-a-half away.
Offensive Line
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Some Steelers fans may be wondering how the offensive line can be considered a weakness after Pittsburgh drafted both Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier in April. The short answer is that rookie are unproven and the offensive line remains a project.
The Steelers released starting center Mason Cole early in the offseason, and left tackle Dan Moore Jr. was a liability in 2023—he allowed eight sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Frazier is expected to replace Cole, and Pittsburgh appears set to move Broderick Jones from right to left tackle.
The good news is that Jones played left tackle in college, and Fautanu appears ready for the challenge of playing right tackle.
"To be honest with you, when I talked to the kid before drafting him, he said he felt better on the right than the left," offensive line coach Pat Meyer said, per Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now.
Until Jones is fully re-acclimated to playing on the left side and until the rookies show they're ready to start, however, the line is a potential concern. The unit was mostly fine in pass protection last year but paved the way for a rushing attack that ranked just 19th in yards per carry—despite having a terrific backfield tandem in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
If the line doesn't develop as quickly as Pittsburgh hopes, bringing in a player like Donovan Smith or bringing back Cole would be advisable.
Cornerback Depth
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While Joey Porter Jr. had his ups and downs as a rookie in 2023, he was mostly reliable and finished the year allowing an opposing quarterback rating of only 70.1.
Porter should be Pittsburgh's No. 1 corner moving forward, and the Steelers traded for Donte Jackson earlier this offseason. Pittsburgh also recently brought back Cameron Sutton, who will presumably slide into the slot role.
However, depth is a concern, especially in a division that features quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. The unit wasn't great overall last season—it ranked 20th in net yards per pass attempt allowed—and the Steelers didn't draft a corner until they took a sixth-round flier on Ryan Watts.
Additionally, Sutton could face league discipline after an arrest warrant for domestic violence was issued to him in March—which led to Sutton's release from the Detroit Lions.
General manager Omar Khan told 93.7 The Fan (h/t Josh Carney of Steelers Depot) that he has "zero idea" of how the NFL will handle Sutton's situation.
Maybe a player like Watts or Anthony Averett can emerge as a significant contributor. It still wouldn't hurt the Steelers to consider adding a free agent like Stephon Gilmore or Xavien Howard before the start of camp, though.
Receiver Depth
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While Wilson and/or Fields can improve Pittsburgh's quarterback play, there are still questions at receiver. The Steelers traded Diontae Johnson to get Jackson, and there isn't much proven depth behind George Pickens.
The Steelers have Calvin Austin III, who has shown occasional flashes, and added Van Jefferson in free agency. They also used a third-round pick on former Michigan receiver Roman Wilson.
Yet, there isn't a clear-cut No. 2 receiver on the roster, and Pittsburgh may look to remedy that in free agency or a trade.
"They're going to add a wide receiver at some point between now and the trade deadline. That's going to happen," SportsLine's Jason La Canfora told the In the Huddle podcast (h/t Noah Strackbein of FanNation).
With the free-agent receiver pool rapidly draining, a trade might be Pittsburgh's best option. We've seen pass-catchers like Courtland Sutton and Brandon Aiyuk stage holdouts while seeking new contract extensions this offseason, so the opportunity to take a big swing may still exist.
Fortunately, Pittsburgh does have a strong backfield and a stellar tight end in Pat Freiermuth. The Steelers might get by, even if a player like Jefferson or Wilson doesn't emerge as that steady second option. For now, though, receiver depth is a question mark.
*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted. Cap information via Spotrac.
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