Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Season Preview and Prediction
At this time last year, the Steelers were banking on quarterback Kenny Pickett to build on the positives from his rookie season. With that in mind, coach Mike Tomlin and the organization decided to keep Matt Canada as the offensive coordinator which turned out to be a disaster. Read Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 season preview and prediction below.
This decision and Pickett’s obvious early struggles had many questioning if Tomlin’s time in Pittsburgh was running out. Tomlin ended up firing Canada, Pickett was injured, and Mason Rudolph led the Steelers to a surprising playoff appearance, only to lose in the Wild Card round.
The team racked up 10 wins while having one of the worst offenses in the NFL (ranked 25th in total offense) which provided the blueprint for the moves they made this offseason.
A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
The Steelers enter this season with a completely new look on offense. Despite ranking near the bottom in offense, the running game with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren was efficient and downright nasty to end the season. This production was a key factor in the direction they would go when hiring the next coordinator.
The Steelers went outside the organization and signed former Atlanta Falcon’s head coach, Arthur Smith, as their offensive coordinator. While his time with the Falcons was tumultuous, he was very successful as the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans with a run heavy attack led by Derrick Henry.
In a surprise move the team signed quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to one-year contracts and released Kenny Pickett. In fact, none of the quarterbacks from last year are on the roster with Mason Rudolph signing with the Tennessee Titans and Mitch Trubisky was sent packing after a disappointing two years with the team.
The Steelers then used their first and second-round picks to solidify the offensive line as they drafted Troy Fautanu (tackle) and Zach Frazier (center) respectively.
THE MESSAGE
Tomlin appears to be sending a message to the organization and fans that he is willing to do what is necessary to bring this franchise back to prominence.
After hearing comments like, “We need more structure and in-house rules,” from Harris and watching former WR Dionte Johnson give no effort after a Warren fumble against the Bengals, and other locker room antics, he was done with the turmoil. Johnson was subsequently traded to the Carolina Panthers for a “bag of peanuts” and Harris was not awarded his fifth-year contract option, a year after losing the captain tag.
Pickett, who was rumored to be upset with the decision to keep him on the bench after his injury, was jettisoned to the Philadelphia Eagles. Seemingly anyone that caused a riff in the locker room was dealt with in some manner.
WHEELS OF STEEL
While they may not be the Steel Curtain of old, there is no mistaking that the defense is the identity of this team moving forward. Anchored by a solid core of veterans with edge rusher T.J. Watt, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and DL Cam Heyward the Steelers are looking for this unit to ascend to the top of the league.
With Joey Porter Jr. coming off an impressive rookie campaign at cornerback and the signing of Patrick Queen from the Baltimore Ravens at MLB this squad could be the best in the division.
HARD KNOCK LIFE
On paper it appears the Steelers should be much improved from the team that won 10 games last season. The NFL and the schedule makers did no favors for the Steelers this season.
They don’t play a home game until week three and they finish the year playing the last eight games against division opponents and the Kansas City Chiefs and Eagles. On top of that, they are appearing for the first time in HBO’s Hard Knock series which is featuring the AFC North for their in-season programming.
THE PICK
It’s a good thing we don’t have to get over 10 games to cash in on the 8.5-win line Vegas set for the Steelers this season. Despite the overhaul of the quarterback position, are the Steelers better in that area? Rudolph was surprisingly efficient and almost led a comeback against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card game.
Wilson is coming from a disastrous campaign with the Denver Broncos who jettisoned the quarterback only two years after signing him to a five-year 242.6m dollar contract. Wilson did have a good statistical season last year with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Steelers aren’t asking him to be that quarterback, what they are banking on is that he is humbled and returns to the form he played with his first few years in the league. If they get that version of Wilson, then sky’s the limit for this team.
Be on the lookout for another article about Justin Fields and what his impact could be. I am hoping it’s not much at all – as Wilson regains some of his youth and leads this team to a division title and a playoff win. I am taking over 8.5 wins and may put down some future bets on the playoffs and ‘gulp’, the Super Bowl! We can get to that later.
