This has become an all too familiar scene in Pittsburgh. The Steelers piece together a winning record only to be embarrassed by the true contenders in the AFC. The fact that this very flawed team even made the post season is remarkable. The truth of the matter is even matching this standard for next season seems far fetched, even for a magician like Mike Tomlin. With a rapidly aging defense, and no real prospects for an above average quarterback, next season seems destined to be a significant fall off. There may be no better time than now to consider the Steelers nuclear option.
What does the nuclear option mean? Well, it means it is time to tear it all down and start over. That may include some very unpopular moves like trading TJ Watt, and Cam Heyward. It will also include a seismic shift in the coaching staff, and overall philosophy of the team. Let’s go through exactly what a tear down like this might look like:
1. An ultimatum for Mike Tomlin:
It’s no secret that Mike Tomlin has hurt himself, and the franchise with his choices at coordinators. It has been particularly bad on the offensive side of the football. From Randy Fichtner, to Matt Canada, to now Arthur Smith this has been a train wreck of choices to lead this offense. Art Rooney is going to have to do something he is very uncomfortable doing, and thats lead this franchise. He needs to step in and fire the entire offensive coaching staff. Give Mike Tomlin a list of modern, forward thinking candidates for him to choose from as the next offensive coordinator. Then let that person fill out the rest of the staff on that side of the ball. Since we know Art would never fire his head coach, this is the next best course of action.
2. No more short cuts at quarterback:
Unfortunately this is a bad year to be in need of a quarterback. The draft is barely two deep with names who could actually make a difference. Free agency isn’t much better with the usual list of retreads, none of which can really move the needle for the Steelers. The best course of action would be to get Justin Fields re-signed to a two or three year deal. He’s still young enough where he could be salvageable. Let Fields be the bridge to the 2026 draft, where it promises to be a much better group of quarterbacks. Who knows, Pittsburgh might even get lucky with Fields finally fulfilling all that promise he had when he was drafted 11th overall in the 2021 draft.
3. Painful, but necessary moves:
No one will like this next step, but it is critical to the rebuild of this franchise. It’s time to trade some of this team’s defensive veterans before it is too late. Let’s start with TJ Watt. Watt showed some kinks in his armor this season. At 31 years old, we have seen the best of what TJ Watt has to offer. He managed only two sacks in his last five games, including a largely invisible playoff performance. The Steelers need to get what they can now, before it’s too late. Watt would still hold significant value to playoff contenders, ands could bring a decent haul back to the Steelers.
Next, Cam Heyward will need to go to. His trade value may not be that of Watt, but here again he would be of value to a playoff contender. If nothing else, reward Cam with a legitimate chance at playoff success for the first time in his career. Neither of these players will be around long enough to enjoy the fruits of a total rebuild. Instead of making them suffer through a few lean years, use them to shorten the process.
You could also talk me into moving Minkah Fitzpatrick in the right deal. He is still young enough however where it would be worth holding on to him for the long haul.
4. Let them all go:
The Steelers upcoming free agent class is underwhelming to say the least. There isn’t one player the team should bring back with the exception of the previously mentioned Justin Fields. No Najee Harris, no Russell Wilson, no Dante Jackson, cut bait with the entire group. Use the savings to bring a fresh new set of faces into the organization.
Don’t stop there. The Steelers have more than a few potential cap casualties as well. Cordarrelle Patterson at $3.7 million…..gone! Larry Ogunjobi at $10.5 million…..see you later!! Preston Smith at $13 million……ba-bye. There is lots of fat to be trimmed which would leave the Steelers with an impressive war chest to got attack free agency. Turning over the very average roster is a big step in fixing the Steelers issues.
5. Stockpile offensive weapons:
The first part of this is deciding what to do with George Pickens. He is about to enter the last year of his rookie contract. There is significant risk signing him to a long term deal given his general attitude over the last two seasons. Considering that he is the Steelers only legitimate reciever, there may not be any other choice but to try to get Pickens re-signed.
Regardless to what the future holds for George Pickens, the Steelers need to do a far better job adding skill position players. Omar Khan has thus far been horrendous in this area. Here’s the list of players Khan has brought in since he took over two years ago. https://x.com/steelersanc16/status/1878514725212090521?s=61
Khan must do a much better job at identifying offensive talent, or find someone who can. An emphasis on speed wouldn’t hurt either. The Steelers were a very slow, plodding offense in 2024. Upgrading the skill position group should be a top priority this offseason.
Conclusion:
So much of being successful in the NFL is self scouting, and having a realistic view of where you are. This is something the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Mike Tomlin in particular, have struggled with. Year after year they have chosen bandaids over rebuilds. It seems we write this article every year The Steelers defense needs a major overhaul in 2023
Now, more than ever the Steelers nuclear option is needed. It’s time to tear it down and start over. It will be painful in the short term, but it beats deluding ourselves every year only to be brought back to reality with yet another crushing playoff defeat.