A pessimist's guide to the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are always in contention for the playoffs under head coach Mike Tomlin and they seem to have upgraded several positions during what has been yet another very active offseason. A number of question marks remain, though.

Here is why the Steelers should be worried about the coming season.

What if neither Russell Wilson nor Justin Fields is the answer?

The Steelers have lacked good quarterback play over the past couple of years. In 2023, quarterbacks Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky only threw for a combined 13 touchdowns against nine interceptions.

So Pittsburgh understandably revamped the room this offseason, signing Wilson and trading for Fields. On paper, both players should be upgrades over Pickett and crew. 

Wilson alone had double the number of touchdowns (26) and fewer interceptions (eight) than Pittsburgh's trio last season while Fields has flashed his upside, throwing for 4,804 yards and 33 touchdowns and rushing for 1,800 yards and 12 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Both players still have a lot to prove, though. If they don't take the steps to improve their games this season, it will leave the Steelers back at square one.

Vacancy at No. 2 wide receiver could limit offense

Pittsburgh made the surprising decision to trade wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers this offseason, but what may be even more of a head-scratcher is the fact that the team has yet to add a true No. 2 option to replace his production.

Instead, the Steelers have signed a bunch of No. 3 and 4 wide receivers in Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Scotty Miller, among others. Without a reliable complement to George Pickens, the offense's potential will be hindered.

Pittsburgh has been named a popular destination for teams that could be looking to trade a potential No. 2 wide receiver. Until that happens, however, Wilson (or potentially Fields) could see a lot of double teams, which would limit the overall pass attack.

Young offensive line could struggle out the gate

The Steelers finally put the finishing touches on their offensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round and center Zach Frazier in the second.

Both players, paired with 2023 first round offensive tackle Broderick Jones, have a chance to be Week 1 starters after the unit has underwhelmed the past few years.

With that possibility, however, will likely come the ups and downs of starting rookies. Veteran guards Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels will have do their best to limit negativity sandwiched in between the young offensive linemen, but it is inevitable that there will be rough showings as the group grows together.