In terms of the Pittsburgh Steelers forward of the 2024 season, there are some who imagine in what they’re doing below head coach Mike Tomlin, particularly after a busy offseason introduced in a bunch of latest faces and plugged some holes.
There are others who simply can’t see the imaginative and prescient with the Steelers, particularly after touchdown Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at QB this offseason and persevering with to beef up the offensive line and the protection as an entire.
With the Steelers, there doesn’t look like that large of a swing within the ceiling and ground, although. They’re both a 10- or 11-win crew that wins a playoff recreation, or they’re an eight-or nine-win crew that misses the playoffs. No enormous swings.
For CBS Sports activities’ Jeff Kerr, that’s how he sees it with the Black and Gold. In an article for CBS Sports activities Monday analyzing the ceiling and ground of all 32 NFL groups, Kerr was proper in the identical ballpark with the Steelers, good and dangerous.
As for the ceiling in Kerr’s thoughts, the Steelers can go nearly as good as 11-6 on the season and win a playoff recreation.
“The Steelers had a quarterback battle all summer time, with Russell Wilson rising as a starter. Wilson has points scrambling from the pocket, however he led the league in completion share from contained in the pocket,” Kerr writes concerning the Steelers’ ceiling for cbssports.com. “Wilson or Justin Fields is an improve from final season. The Steelers have playmakers on offense, but want George Pickers to be that No. 1 vast receiver. Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator can also be an improve.
“Linebacker Patrick Queen is one other playmaker on protection with cross rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is a rising star with Minkah Fitzpatrick the highest playmaker within the secondary. Pittsburgh has sufficient expertise to outlive the AFC North.”
The Steelers have a whole lot of good items in place, particularly on the defensive facet of the soccer. It appears to drive many speaking heads nuts that the Steelers are nonetheless a defense-focused crew, but it surely’s saved them aggressive whereas they fight to determine the offense.
Getting into the 2024 season, the idea is that they’ve found out the offense with the hiring of Arthur Smith because the offensive coordinator, the additions of Wilson and Fields below heart, and the continued funding within the offensive line with the alternatives of Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier within the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Offensively, the Steelers must be significantly better than they have been within the final three years below Matt Canada. Defensively, Pittsburgh has the possibility to be particular this season with the additions of Queen and cornerback Donte Jackson, pairing with the large names already in place.
That might very simply result in an 11-6 season and a playoff win below Tomlin, which might be very welcomed within the Metal Metropolis.
However from the ground perspective, issues might go incorrect offensively once more for the Steelers, probably resulting in an 8-9 season, which might be the primary shedding season below Tomlin.
“If Wilson isn’t ok at quarterback, can Fields salvage the season? How lengthy of a leash will the Steelers give Wilson?” Kerr writes. “The offensive line added Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier but remains to be a piece in progress (which may very well be bother for Wilson). With Brandon Aiyuk out of the image, do the Steelers have sufficient playmakers at receiver? The offense must be higher, however quarterback wasn’t the one subject final yr.
“In a troublesome AFC North, Pittsburgh stands out as the crew with probably the most questions. This crew finds methods to have successful seasons, however they might have a shedding marketing campaign in 2024.”
It’s actually truthful to have questions on Wilson and Fields. Wilson is on his third crew in 4 seasons, and Fields was traded after simply three seasons for a conditional sixth-round choose after being the No. 11 total choice within the 2021 NFL Draft.
Each have their flaws and have issues they should right. Identical for the offensive line that appears higher on paper however has struggled at instances throughout coaching camp and the preseason, elevating some issues.
An absence of expertise behind George Pickens at vast receiver is a serious concern, too. However the Steelers have that star-studded protection to lean on. It would want the offense to do its half although. If not, the Steelers might actually wrestle, particularly late within the season within the gauntlet of the post-bye portion of the schedule, which might result in an 8-9 end and Tomlin’s first shedding season.
That appears unlikely, however it could’t be dominated out as a chance.
