In the days since the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 season came to an end in Buffalo, there has been speculation about everything. From the head coach to the ball boys, it seems everyone has an opinion on what will change. This… Is what we do in the offseason. One item in particular that has me a bit perplexed is the number of Steelers’ fans who feel like the team is “a quarterback away” from really contending for a Super Bowl. I would really like to agree with that but I can’t.
First off, take a look at the AFC. Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and now C.J. Stroud are already the top signal-callers in our conference. You aren’t getting to a Super Bowl without going through at least two of those guys and you can probably throw Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence in there too. But this is a bit of a different discussion than I want to have. The bigger issue is that the Steelers need more than just a top-end quarterback.
Let’s start on defense. Cam Heyward is in his mid-30’s and admitted this week that this past year was his toughest. He was never 100% and that was before his groin injury that sidelined him for half the season. His counterpart, Larry Ogunjobi, was healthy most of this season but his play was up and down. Two guys thought to be the heir apparents to them – DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk – have been disappointing with each going without a helmet several times this season.
Assuming Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts are back (Kwon Alexander is a free agent) the team still lacks depth at inside linebacker and they are desperate for secondary help too. The Steelers have to upgrade opposite Joey Porter, Jr and need someone far better than Chandon Sullivan in the slot spot. There is a strength at free safety and on the edges but there’s much needed elsewhere.
Offensively, Omar Khan should be looking to improve the offensive line. They have to get better at center and right tackle after Broderick Jones moves back to the left side. George Pickens and Diontae Johnson seem like solid options for the wideouts but I won’t be surprised to see changes here. They also need to get more out of their slot receiver and Pat Freiermuth must be a more consistent target.
Good quarterback play elevates everyone else as we saw from Mason Rudolph. Kenny Pickett will get his opportunity to be the number one guy again but he’ll need more than a hot preseason start. I said going into this past season that if the Steelers kept Matt Canada then they were pushing back Pickett’s development a year and that’s exactly what happened.
A quarterback away the fans say? It’s going to be much more than that for this team to contend.
