Steelers new front office embracing old franchise philosophy

This is the first offseason since 1999 that Kevin Colbert has not been running the show for the Pittsburgh Steelers, handing the keys to the franchise over to Omar Khan, his long-time right-hand man, and former Eagles assistant Andy Weidl. 

Khan and Weidl are wasting no time this offseason in trying to fix some of the Steelers' biggest weaknesses from a year ago and turning back the clock to the recipe that always made the team great. 

Toughness on the offensive line and run defense.

While the signing of cornerback Patrick Peterson has been the most noteworthy deal of the offseason, Khan and Weidl have also made a few other significant additions to the roster, the latest being former Eagles guard Isaac Seumalo on a three-year, $24 million deal.

Seumalo was one of the best guards available on the open market this offseason and figures to start alongside last year's big free agent signing James Daniel on the interior. Seumalo's deal comes just a few days after the Steelers signed another player that Weidl was familiar during his time in Philadelphia, guard Nate Herbig. 

Improving the offensive line had to be a priority for the Steelers this offseason, not only because they need to protect their new franchise quarterback, 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett, but also because they need to improve their ground game. Despite having two talented running backs in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, the Steelers averaged just a little over 120 yards per game on the ground and only 4.1 yard per carry. Those numbers did get significantly better in the second half of the season, but the Steelers still want to be better. 

On the flip side of that, the Steelers also need to do a better job stopping the run, which is where the changes at inside linebacker might come into play. After allowing Devin Bush to leave in free agency and releasing veteran Myles Jack, the Steelers brought in former Washington Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb and former Patriot and Dolphin Elandon Roberts. Both players excel as run-stuffers. 

When the Steelers were at their peak, in both the 1970s and the 2000s and 2010s, they were always notorious for being tough on both the offensive and defensive lines. In recent years they drifted away from that with more of a focus on skill position players and ignoring the lines. 

Those days appear to be over. The theme of the entire offseason under Khan and Weidl, from the offensive line additions to the linebacker acquisitions, seems to be all about bringing back toughness and winning the game along the line of scrimmage.