The collapse of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2024 season will be remembered until the team finally finds postseason success again. Coming into the year with high hopes, the Steelers were soaring with Justin Fields and then Russell Wilson leading them to a 10-3 record, putting them in contention for the AFC North crown. But then the bottom fell out, and the Steelers lost four straight to finish the regular season, followed by a fifth consecutive loss in the playoffs to the Baltimore Ravens.
AP Photo / Stephanie Scarbrough
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a tough game against the Ravens.
The harsh reality was that the Steelers' roster wasn’t built to win a Super Bowl, and that became glaringly obvious when they faced true championship contenders in 2024. Against these teams, Pittsburgh was outcoached and outplayed. Now, the Steelers find themselves in a tough position, trying to figure out how to elevate a talented team into a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan addressed the media at the NFL Combine on Tuesday morning. Aware of the current state of the team and the talent at his disposal, Khan was asked directly whether Pittsburgh can compete for Super Bowls with this roster. He responded confidently, stating that with the right additions, the Steelers could contend for a Super Bowl in the 2025 season.
"I think we have some very talented people on the roster, and I think if we add some more talented people, I think we have a chance," Khan said. "I really do."
Khan’s statement about the Steelers’ potential is understandable, though it’s hard to take at face value. After all, what else is he supposed to say? As the man in charge of a team with the highest-paid defense in the NFL, Khan isn’t going to outright declare that the Steelers have no chance. The truth is, Pittsburgh does have an abundance of talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. That’s what makes the team’s collapse down the stretch in 2024 so hard for Steelers fans to stomach.
With key defensive stars like TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers’ defense should never have fallen apart the way it did. Heyward turned in an incredible season despite battling Father Time, while Watt, though banged up late in the year, struggled to make the usual impact. The fan base grew frustrated with Fitzpatrick as the splash plays seemed to vanish. Meanwhile, the addition of Patrick Queen didn’t have the desired effect, leaving the defense in a position that no one expected.
Steelers Have Several Big Moves To Make To Compete For A Super Bowl In The 2025 NFL Season
Despite all the defensive talent, the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season. For many fans and pundits, the biggest obstacle holding the team back is the lack of a franchise quarterback and a clear offensive direction. While it’s obvious that the Steelers need help on offense, that doesn’t excuse their struggles at the end of the 2024 season or the overall lack of success over the past decade.
Khan’s statement that he believes the Steelers have a chance isn’t groundbreaking news. However, it does signal that he’s planning to make moves to improve the roster. With plenty of cap space available, the Steelers have the financial flexibility to make upgrades. As they face several critical decisions, adding talent to the roster is essential if they truly want to contend for a Super Bowl in the 2025 season.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan speaking on the sidelines inside Acrisure Stadium before a home game.
The Steelers are in a strong financial position with $60,073,766 in available cap space, placing them among the top teams in the league. This is a great spot for a team that made the playoffs in both 2023 and 2024. Now, the challenge is to maximize their roster within this budget. If they can do that, the Steelers have the potential to turn things around quickly. However, to make it happen, they’ll need to execute nearly flawlessly in the 2025 offseason.
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