No one is really sure how the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to compete in the AFC with the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. Those three are without a doubt going to be good for a very long time. Their coaching is steady and in place, the talent is undeniable and all of them have a certifiable stud at quarterback. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, missed the postseason in 2022 and now heads into an off-season where a lot of things need to happen in order to be taken seriously in 2023. Here's how the organization can get there.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin adjusts his cap while walking on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 regular season game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Which 3 Free Agents Should The Steelers Try To Retain This Off-Season?
1.) Bring In Offensive Coaching Staff Help
Team President, Art Rooney II did not totally dismiss the idea of bringing in a top offensive mind to help Matt Canada rejuvenate the unit. It has absolutely helped other teams around the league and it's possible that Pittsburgh is waiting to see who lands head coach or offensive coordinator jobs over the next few weeks.
The offense did play better and was more effective down the stretch, but that doesn't mean the team doesn't need a fresh mind to help Canada expand the playbook next season. Byron Leftwich's name has been thrown around and don't be surprised if someone with experience is brought in. It would be an enormous boost if the right person is hired.
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada calmly roams the field at Acrisure Stadium before a 2022 regular season game in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
2.) Do Whatever Is Necessary To Open Cap Space
The Steelers aren't as lucky as most teams with quarterbacks still on their rookie contract. A big reason for that is that contract extensions of TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cameron Heyward. The group will take up almost $70 million in cap space. Some restructuring should be done there as well as parting ways with big cap numbers like William Jackson III.
The draft can certainly help and Pittsburgh's three picks in the top 50 will hold awesome value, but this free agency class is stacked and having the financial capability for Omar Khan to make a splash in his first full off-season could make a huge difference in competitiveness come September.
3.) Emphasize The Cornerback Position
Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are three of, if not, the best quarterbacks in all of football. We know the Steelers can rush the passer, but sometimes blitzing these guys makes them better. Pairing the idea above with bringing in a top tier talent at cornerback along with grabbing a promising young player in the draft could immediately change the conversation.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Cameron Sutton on the field prior to a 2022 preseason game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter JSKO_PHOTO)
It's impossible to completely shut these guys down, but the road to the Super Bowl is going to see at least one of them for the next several years. Re-signing Cameron Sutton may be a start, but it can't be the finish line in terms of bolstering the secondary. Offensive and defensive linemen as well as linebackers are going to be important, but having a shutdown cornerback crew could make all the difference.
Other things certainly need to be addressed, but this isn't a bad place to start as the organization looks ahead to the 2023 season.
What do you think the Steelers have to do in order to keep up with the fire power in the AFC? Let us know in the comments below!
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