Three hottest seats on the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be going all in for a Super Bowl in 2024. 

General manager Omar Khan has quickly changed how they do business, making several trades and big-name signings to begin the offseason. Still, every player must do their job if they want to be a true contender next season.

With that in mind, here are three Steelers on the hottest seats in 2024.

Head coach Mike Tomlin

There's no doubt that Tomlin is one of the best head coaches in the NFL. His 17 consecutive non-losing seasons support exactly that. However, Pittsburgh hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. 

Tomlin is heading into the final year of his contract in 2024, and while the team may still decide to extend him before the start of the season, until the deal is done, it will be a prove-it season for the 52-year-old.

Khan is doing his part to give Tomlin a talented roster. Now it's time for Tomlin to end the franchise's longest postseason win drought with several talented players nearing the end of their careers.

Quarterback Russell Wilson

Wilson chose to join the Steelers on a one-year, veteran minimum ($1.21 million) deal, but he still has a lot to prove after going 11-19 as a starter for the Broncos the past two years.

The 35-year-old did take a step forward in 2023 when he passed for 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, but his stint in Pittsburgh could determine how his career finishes. 

The Steelers would love for him to finish it with them, but he will need to get the franchise back to winning postseason games and maybe even a Super Bowl in short time. Plus, some believe the addition of QB Justin Fields will have Wilson on a short leash.

Defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi

Ogunjobi has played an important role on Pittsburgh's defensive line for the past two years. However, his production has not returned to the level it was at when he had seven sacks with the Bengals in 2021.

In fact, the 29-year-old has just 4.5 sacks over the past two seasons with the Steelers, which has some believing his three-year, $28.75 million deal he received was an overpay.

If 2024 follows suit for Ogunjobi, Pittsburgh can save $7 million in salary cap space in 2025 if it moves on from him. With the emergence of defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, the team's second-round pick in 2023, Ogunjobi may be replaceable with another underwhelming season.