The Steelers turned over the roster some this offseason, with the most notable changes coming at quarterback. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 10-7 (third in AFC North); lost to BUF in WC Round
- Over/under: 8.5 wins
Notable additions
QB Russell Wilson, QB Justin Fields, QB Kyle Allen, RB Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Van Jefferson, WR Quez Watkins, WR Scotty Miller, TE MyCole Pruitt, DL Dean Lowry, LB Patrick Queen, CB Donte Jackson, CB Cameron Sutton, S DeShon Elliott, P Cameron Johnston, OC Arthur Smith
Notable losses
QB Kenny Pickett, QB Mason Rudolph, QB Mitchell Trubisky, WR Diontae Johnson, WR Allen Robinson II, WR Miles Boykin, WR Gunner Olszewski, OT Chukwuma Okorafor, C Mason Cole, DL Armon Watts, LB Kwon Alexander, LB Myles Jack, LB Mykal Walker, CB Patrick Peterson, CB Levi Wallace, CB Chandon Sullivan, CB James Pierre, S Keanu Neal, S Eric Rowe, S Elijah Riley, P Pressley Harvin III
2024 draft class
OT Troy Fautanu (1.20), C Zach Frazier (2.51), WR Roman Wilson (3.84), LB Payton Wilson (3.98), G Mason McCormick (4.119), DL Logan Lee (6.178), S Ryan Watts (6.195)
Projected starters
QB: Russell Wilson
RB: Najee Harris
WR: George Pickens
WR: Van Jefferson
WR: Calvin Austin III
TE: Pat Freiermuth
LT: Broderick Jones
LG: Isaac Seumalo
C: Nate Herbig
RG: James Daniels
RT: Troy Fautanu (R)
DL: Cameron Heyward
DL: Keeanu Benton
OLB: T.J. Watt
ILB: Patrick Queen
ILB: Elandon Roberts
OLB: Alex Highsmith
CB: Joey Porter Jr.
FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick
SS: DeShon Elliott
SCB: Beanie Bishop Jr. (R)
CB: Donte Jackson
2024 outlook
Pittsburgh fought their way into the playoffs last year despite the signs of a late collapse before Mason Rudolph helped to steady the ship—but it’s Mike Tomlin that is the constant, and he knows how to strike the right tone for whatever is needed with the 2024 version of the Steelers. Superstars on all levels of the defense should again give Pittsburgh a top unit, and the offense will have a much clearer identity with Arthur Smith being brought in to run the show, so a lot will be determined by quarterback play.
Whether it’s Russell Wilson or Justin Fields under center, though, the scheme will be very defined by playing through Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, funneling the perimeter targets to George Pickens, and setting up play action that involves the tight ends. Basically, the best-case scenario would be an offense similar to what we saw in Tennessee when Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown were both extremely productive under Smith, and being able to establish the run would play to the strengths of both quarterbacks.
Defensively, the Steelers have plenty of star-level players with T.J. Watt, Joey Porter Jr., Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cameron Heyward, and Patrick Queen, and that’s not to mention the emerging Keeanu Benton, Alex Highsmith, DeShon Elliott, or Donte Jackson (among others). The slot could be an issue if the surprising rise of undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop Jr. doesn’t carry into game action, but Pittsburgh will get Cameron Sutton back after his eight-game suspension, and having Porter as a shutdown option on one side of the field makes it easier to scheme around the possible weakness.
Position battle to watch: Quarterback
Russell Wilson has long been considered the favorite to start, but Justin Fields has apparently had a strong summer while the former Super Bowl winner has dealt with a calf injury. That opens the door for Fields to force his way into the starting lineup if he can shine—including a chance to start tomorrow night in the preseason opener. Mike Tomlin has made it known that he wants Fields to use his athleticism, so the competition could really heat up if he does so successfully in game action.
Breakout candidate: OT Broderick Jones
The handling of the offensive line is somewhat puzzling with Jones seeing time at both left and right tackle in training camp after starting at right tackle as a rookie—and the initial depth chart has him there with first-rounder Troy Fautanu being the backup behind Dan Moore Jr. on the blindside. I expect Jones will eventually settle into his long-term spot at left tackle while Fautanu starts on the right side, but either way, Jones has the ability to become one of the league’s top offensive tackles.
Circle on the calendar: Week 17 (v KC) | Wednesday, December 25 – 1:00 PM ET
Pittsburgh is always in contention with Mike Tomlin never having a losing record, so a Christmas Day showdown versus the back-to-back defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs should carry huge importance in the AFC playoff picture. Two years ago, the Steelers gave us a thriller with a frigid 13-10 victory over the Raiders on Christmas Eve, and I’m hopeful about another close holiday game in 2024.
Bottom line
Quarterback play for Pittsburgh should be improved one way or another, and the defense appears stronger than a season ago with Patrick Queen, DeShon Elliott, and Donte Jackson added to a star-powered group. It’ll come down to exactly how much better the offense will be, but the Steelers are getting overlooked as a contender in the AFC.