The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be heading into 2024 with the hopes of contending for a Super Bowl, although despite Mike Tomlin never finishing with a losing season since taking over as head coach, it’s been a long time since his squad was in true contention for another Lombardi Trophy.
The Steelers made drastic — and team friendly — moves at the most important position in the NFL by bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, two previous starters for almost no cost at all.
All of the reports point to Wilson getting the nod as the Pittsburgh Steelers starting QB for 2024, but if he regresses or doesn’t deliver, they have a great option behind him in Fields, who the Bears parted ways with so they could reset with Caleb Williams at QB.
This isn’t a team void of talent.
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has playmakers across the board, but they haven’t always led up to the hype in recent years when they were forced to stay on the field for the majority of the game. The duo of TJ Watt and Cam Heyward are two of the best in the business when it comes to thriving against the run and also pressuring the QB. The Pittsburgh Steelers added LB Patrick Queen from their rival Ravens and drafted NC State LB Payton Wilson who has proven to be a jack-of-all trades. Alex Highsmith is a proven veteran to round out the starting linebackers.
Their defensive backs are just as solid, anchored by Minkah Fitzpatrick at safety and Joey Porter Jr. entering his second NFL season.
If Pittsburgh can maintain long possessions and give the defense time to breathe, the Steelers could have one of the top defensive units in the NFL in 2024.
Offensively? There are several unknowns, but after the NFL Draft, it’s easy to see how this unit could thrive with Wilson under center. George Pickens has cemented himself as a true No. 1 WR while Pat Freirmeuth has emerged as one of the top tight ends in the AFC. The Steelers used their first round pick to protect Wilson, drafting one of the top left tackles in this year’s class, Troy Fautanu out of Washington with the 20th overall pick. They doubled down on the offensive line with their second round selection, choosing West Virginia Center Zach Frazier.
One of the biggest question marks all offseason was the need to add another dynamic WR to compliment Pickens. The Steelers were linked to several trades and could still make one, but their selection of Michigan wideout Roman Wilson in the third round appeared to fill the void left by the departure of Diontae Johnson.
With Najee Harris anchoring the backfield, the Steelers — at least on paper — look like a team that could possibly compete for an AFC North title.
Pittsburgh Steelers Shockingly Decline 5th Year Option For Najee Harris
Najee Harris‘ NFL career began with a first-round pick and plenty of expectations as Pittsburgh’s new lead back.
How it ends — at least in Pittsburgh — remains to be seen. Harris’ future was thrown into some doubt Thursday when NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported the Steelers were declining to pick up the running back’s fifth-year option.
The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be waiting to see how Harris performs in new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense before committing to anything beyond 2024, per Pelissero, with a future deal still possible.
This isn’t the ideal development for a former first-round pick at a position that has become notorious for failing to provide long-term returns on investment. But it’s not just about Harris’ production, which peaked with a 1,200-yard, seven touchdown rookie season in 2021 — it also relates to how the Steelers’ backfield has evolved since then.
Backup runner Jaylen Warren has emerged as a legitimately viable ball-carrier in the last two seasons, more than a mere spellback. With Warren involved, the Steelers have two running backs capable of bashing through defenders on the ground — and some have even gone so far as to suggest Warren might be the better of the two options.
Harris has consistently rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first three NFL seasons and has been a constant on offense when the Pittsburgh Steelers had no hope. Harris didn’t break four yards per carry until 2023. Warren, meanwhile, has rushed for 5.1 yards per attempt in his first two seasons, with fewer total carries.
The Pittsburgh brass appears to have a plan, but this decision likely caught both Harris and the fan base off guard with his future in the Steel City now uncertain.