The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crossroads this offseason, facing pivotal decisions that will shape their future in the NFL. With a lot on the line, they can't afford to make mistakes and risk further falling behind the competition.
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan speaks to members of the media at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN.
Alex Ballentine, a journalist for Bleacher Report, has identified three key positions that the Steelers must address before the 2024 season kicks off.
Steelers Main Focus This Offseason
The quarterback position stands as the Steelers' most pressing concern. With uncertainty surrounding Kenny Pickett, and Mason Rudolph set to hit free agency, the need for a solid franchise quarterback is glaring.
“As the old saying goes, 'If you have two quarterbacks, you don't have one.' In the Steelers' case, they trotted out three different starters this season. Granted, that was mostly due to Kenny Pickett's ankle injury that wound up ending his season."
Ballentine expressed the urgency in the Steelers' need for finding their quarterback this offseason.
"But Pickett was healthy in the final two weeks of the season when the Steelers elected to stick with Mason Rudolph. Rudolph was the hot hand, but it's telling that the team didn't automatically turn things back over to Pickett as soon as he became available. The second-year player threw just six touchdowns to four interceptions across 12 starts. His QBR went from 53.6 as a rookie to 38.5 this season.”
As Pickett returned to health in the final weeks of the season, the team opted to stick with Rudolph, indicating a lack of confidence in Pickett's performance.
JORDAN SCHOFIELD / STEELERNATION (TWITTER / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterbacks Kenny Pickett (8) and Mason Rudolph (2) at practice.
The Steelers headed into their Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills with Rudolph as the starter. That really tells you most of what Steelers fans need to know about where the organization currently is on Pickett.
Another area of concern for the Steelers, according to Ballentine, is the offensive tackle position, especially at left tackle.
“The Steelers have dealt with subpar left tackle play since the heyday of Alejandro Villanueva. If they are going to take the next step as an offense, that has to change in 2024. Dan Moore Jr. has been holding down the position over the last three seasons, but he hasn't shown the growth you'd like to see.”
Ballentine believes strongly that the Steelers need to use this draft to select their next star tackle. Drafting Broderick Jones was a great start, but he hasn't even played his position that he played in college. He mostly played on the right side this season for the Steelers. If they want to take a step up, they need to do it with a new tackle that isn't named Dan Moore Jr.
Building a formidable secondary is another priority highlighted by Ballentine. The Steelers have found a promising talent in Joey Porter Jr., but they need to complement him on the other side of the secondary to create a well-rounded defensive backfield.
“If Pittsburgh wants to continue building a defense that can carry them through the transitions that the offense needs to go through, then they have to make an investment in the secondary.”
The Steelers' offense is going to be going through some transitions no matter who is starting at quarterback. It's crucial that the Steelers' defense becomes even more formidable during those transition stages. Ballentine suggests potential candidates like Ronald Darby or a younger option like Sean Murphy-Bunting as valuable additions.
The Steelers can also look to the upcoming NFL Draft to fortify their secondary. Names like Cooper DeJean, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Nate Wiggins are potential prospects to watch for.
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Steelers' potential draft target, cornerback Cooper DeJean.
If the Steelers aspire to be contenders rather than merely have winning seasons, they must address these three critical positions as a top priority in the offseason. Whether through acquiring experienced veterans or drafting emerging young talents, there is no room for debate – these needs must be met to propel the Steelers forward in the competitive landscape of the NFL. As Ballentine points out, the 2024 offseason holds the key to the Steelers' future success, making these decisions all the more crucial.
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