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Heading into 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers' active streak of consecutive winning seasons stands at 17. Considering Pittsburgh's recent QB play, extending this streak over the last two seasons have been especially impressive.
Can they continue that success through Mike Tomlin's 18th season?
In my opinion, their chances don't look too good. Let's break down what will help and what will hurt in my 21st-ranked team heading into 2024.
Photo: Matt Durisko/Associated Press
Strengths
Top Tier Front Seven
Tough Run Game
Young and Revamped Offensive Line
For how little seven fronts are ran in today's NFL, the Steelers have usually had one of the best units in that category. This year is no different, as they are littered with talent there - and they're deep as well. There are about five interior defensive linemen, four linebackers, and three edge defenders that could be starters on most teams in the league, which allows the Steelers to stay fresh and effective.
With Arthur Smith joining the ranks as the new offensive play-caller, this run game will be getting a major facelift. Najee Harris has been productive, but inefficient, and Jaylen Warren has been efficient, but hasn't had great overall production. Joining those two is Cordarrelle Patterson, making this three headed backfield one of the most versatile in the league. Add in a nearly completely changed offensive line from two years ago, this run game could be special.
The Steelers OL has lost its' juice through the 2020s, but they've made some major additions over the past two offseasons to change course. Broderick Jones is a mean tackle who didn't see the field much his rookie year in 2023, but now has no one in his way for a starting job. To continue the makeover, they drafted Troy Fautanu and Zach Frzaier with their first two picks in the draft to start at right tackle and center respectively. Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels return as the starting guards, with 4th rounder Mason McCormick ready to fill in if one of them goes down.
Weaknesses
Quarterback Room
No Bonified WR1
Cornerback Depth
Russell Wilson is playing hero ball at this point in his career, and he's fallen off a cliff since leaving Seattle. He holds onto the ball for too long, scrambles into pressure, and struggles to hit receivers over the middle of the field. To make matters worse, they traded for Justin Fields to be his successor - who has the same exact problems that Russ does. Hopefully sitting for a year can help Fields get himself in check; maybe he'll recognize he makes the same mistakes as his predecessor.
Before I get flak for this take, let me be clear: George Pickens is a good WR2 in the league. He's your big chunk play guy who can go up and grab a jump ball, or take a slant to the house. He won't, however, put fear in his opponents best cornerback on a play-by-play basis. I think he'll do decent in the WR1 role, but he won't be the dominator that this offense needs him to be. Outside of him, there's no shot Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, or rookie Roman Wilson will step into that WR1 spot either.
Aside from this glorious front seven, the cornerback position is desperately lacking talent. Joey Porter Jr was a dawg his rookie year, but the rest of the corners are pretty replaceable. Donte Jackson has put together just one good season, and that was during the COVID year. Grayland Arnold has been decent, but has played less than 250 total snaps in three seasons, and most of the backups aren't anything to write home about either. One player who does intrigue me is 6th rounder Ryan Watts, who is a big body, athletic corner who isn't afraid to get physical.
Key Additions
Troy Fautanu - Offensive Tackle
Zach Frazier - Center
DeShon Elliott - Safety
Troy is the exact opposite of Broderick from a style standpoint. Jones will beat you with his strength and size, where Fautanu will win reps with his fundamentals and sound form. He rarely gets over extended, has unreal athleticism for a guy his size, and he does damage in pass protection and run blocking.
If you were to make a lovechild of Broderick and Troy, you'd get Zach Frazier. He uses a great mix of finesse and power as a blocker, which led to plenty of pancakes and standing up rushers in their tracks throughout his college career. Although he wasn't my top center in this class, he still ranked out as my 36th overall prospect, making him a steal relative to his 51st overall value.
On the defensive side, DeShon Elliott is a welcome addition to this Steelers secondary. Minkah took a step back last year before his Week 8 hamstring injury, but he was asked to play in the box or slot on 51.55% of his snaps. This was the most time he spent there since his rookie year, where he played 50.21% of his plays. From 2019 until 2022, he spent just 22.33% of his field time from that area. With DeShon now in the fold, he'll take over those slot and box reps, allowing Minkah to roam over the top more freely. Elliott is good in his own right, as he's put up 60+ coverage grades and 65+ overall defensive grades in every season since he's entered the league.
Dark Horse
Keeanu Benton - Interior Defensive Linemen
Keeanu impressed as a rookie last year, and with a projected increased role in 2024, we could see him take a big jump in year two. He put up a 74.8 overall defensive grade, and an 80.0 pass rush grade, while also adding 22 total pressures and 16 stops + TFLs. He also had ten games where he recorded a 69.0 overall grade or higher, and four of them had an 81.9+ mark. If he can improve his run defense in his expanded role, he'll be a force to be reckoned with.
Photo: David Becker/Associated Press
Record
6-10-1
I think Mike Tomlin's winning juice runs out this year, and we may see the organization part ways with him after an impressive 18 season run. Between a lack of firepower in the WR room, QBs that'll struggle to win games, and a less than ideal secondary, they won't have what it takes to put up another winning season. I think they'll get the chunk of their wins early on, but then they have a gauntlet to end the season, where they have matchups each against the Bengals, Browns, and Ravens in the last eight games, along with the Eagles and Chiefs. They do find a tie in there though, so that's fun!
Final Notes
Moving past 2024, I don't believe Fields is the franchise's answer at QB for the next decade. I'm not even sure if he'll be the starter past this season, regardless if he ever does this year. The Steelers will have to find a competent QB either through free agency or the draft, something they haven't been able to do since Big Ben retired.
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