The Pittsburgh Steelers have a decades-long reputation as one of the most consistent contenders across the NFL, but after falling in the AFC Wild Card round in January, this offseason raises questions about head coach Mike Tomlin’s future and the organization’s chances of competing this season ahead.
Pittsburgh has been linked all offseason to Aaron Rodgers, who is coming off two consecutive disappointing seasons sandwiched between a devastating knee injury just four snaps into his 2023 campaign, have done little to upgrade a leaky offensive line, and recently traded away star but enigmatic wide receiver George Pickens.
“This offseason looks like a ‘Fire Mike Tomlin’ concept,” a prominent NFL agent recently told me.
NFL Scouts, Execs Question Pittsburgh Steelers’ Direction: “It’s Not Good”
Tomlin has famously never had a losing season during his tenure as Steelers head coach, but general manager Omar Khan and Pittsburgh have done little to advance the ball even towards winning the franchise’s first postseason game since 2016.
“It’s not good,” a rival AFC Scouting Director told me of the Steelers’ offseason.
Beyond uncertainty at quarterback, it’s difficult to decipher what the plan is to improve an offense that was mired in inconsistency with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson last season, especially after appearing to be going all-in on the 2024 campaign by trading for DK Metcalf only to later banish Pickens to Dallas.
“They don’t have a starting quarterback,” the Scouting Director points out “They lose Pickens’ talent, but also his locker room baggage. I’ll say, their defense is better, for sure, but they have not done anywhere near enough to compete.
“With a lesser quarterback, you have to surround him with talent, but they largely spent the offseason losing talent, not gaining it.”
In a talent-driven league, it’s hard to win that way and this might be the biggest test yet of Tomlin’s tenure and could determine his and the Steelers’ future.
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