The time between the Super Bowl, and the beginning of training camp is always a busy time for NFL front offices. They have the combine, free agency, and the draft to deal with all within a short amount of time. The Steelers will be among the busiest teams during this period. Let’s take a look at the top five Steelers offseason storylines of the 2024:
1. The quarterback position:
This is the biggest of all the Steelers offseason storylines, and it’s not even close. Despite the team’s insistence on Kenny Pickett being the team’s starting quarterback for 2024, the rumors have persisted. This franchise has been attached to every single rumor surrounding available quarterbacks. The hottest name remains Justin Fields. Bears general manager Ryan Poles was recently quoted as saying he wanted a resolution in the Fields sweepstakes as soon as possible. We will not have to wait much longer to see where Fields lands. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/justin-fields-trade-rumors-bears-gm-ryan-poles-all-but-signals-trade-on-horizon-with-answer-about-qbs-future/
Other names associated with the Steelers are players like Russel Wilson, Kirk Cousins, and Ryan Tannehill along with the possible return of Mason Rudolph. At this point the one who makes the most sense is Russell Wilson. This is an experienced starter coming off a pretty decent season in Denver. The assumption is Wilson would be willing to play for a cheaper contract because of the guaranteed money owed to him by the Broncos.
Of course the most likely scenario to all of this is Kenny Pickett remains the starter, with a lesser backup signed like Ryan Tannehill. A late round pick would round out the quarterback room. We have to assume this is the expectation, but with all the rumors it does make one wonder.
2. How will the offensive line shake out:
It seems almost a foregone conclusion the Steelers will be drafting a center in the first round at this point. We even had him in the first round in our latest mock draft: Steelers mock draft 1.0: Post Senior Bowl Edition
With the release of Mason Cole, the Steelers have no center on the roster with significant experience at the position. There is a very real possibility Pittsburgh goes the free agent route to fill the center position however. Center generally much cheaper in free agency than other premium positions. Corner, and tackle are also big needs for this team, and would come at a much higher price. They could fill those needs in the draft, keeping overall costs down.
How this team views their tackle position is a much more murky situation. While many believe the Steelers will invest heavily in the position, we’re not so sure. Mike Tomlin and company seem quite content with the Dan Moore/Broderick Jones duo. Ideally Jones would be moved back to left tackle, while a right tackle was acquired through the draft. There’s’ also the question of what the Steelers think of Dylan Cook. They liked him enough to keep him on the roster most of 2023. Could they view him as a possible candidate to push for a starting spot in 2024? Lots of questions need to be answered along this unit.
3. How will the offensive coaches meld in 2024?
The Pittsburgh Steelers hired their first outside offensive coordinator since 2017 this offseason in Arthur Smith. They also added a new quarterbacks coach, and wide receivers coach. Smith did not get to pick his entire staff however. Coaches like Mike Sullivan, Eddie Faulkner, and Pat Meyer remain in key positions on the coaching staff. While this is not completely unusual, it remains to be seen if they can become a cohesive coaching unit. Meyer in particular will be one to keep an eye on. Offensive line coach is among the most important positions on that side of the ball. How he, and Smith work together will be a key moving forward.
4. Several key Steelers in the last year of their deals
The Pittsburgh Steelers have several key players entering the last year of their contacts in 2024. Names like Cam Heyward, Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, James Daniels, Dan Moore, Patrick Peterson, and Pat Freiermuth are all up after 2024. How Omar Khan navigates this to avoid a mass exodus in 2025 will be extremely interesting. The team can use their fifth year option on Najee Harris. It is a relatively inexpensive number, and the expectation is they will pick it up. Cam Heyward could end up getting an extension with no new guaranteed money to lower his cap hit in 2024.
Pat Frieirmuth is the most likely player of all on this list for a true extension this offseason. He is still young enough to be a quality tight end for years to come. The rest of the list may have to wait until next season to decide their fate. Trading one of these players now before the decision needs to be made on a new contract could also be in play.
5. When does the Mike Tomlin extension get done?
Before the late season winning streak, there was plenty of talk about the future of Mike Tomlin with this organization. Thanks in large part to the Mason Rudolph heroics that bought this team a playoff appearance, that talk has largely subsided. Both Tomlin, and Art Rooney have assured us that this will get done at some point. Still, until the announcement is actually made there remains just the slightest bit of doubt. Mike Tomlin has been the head coach here for 16 seasons now. Would anyone blame either side if they said they were ready for a change? In terms of Steelers offseason storylines, this one remains one of the biggest until it is ultimately resolved.