Mike Tomlin says to have a plan however be gentle in your toes. It’s clear the Pittsburgh Steelers have ushered in a brand new period, one which options sweeping change when the sensation is warranted. Not is it a franchise making incisions across the margins, tweaks which might be barely noticeable. The crew has an axe, and its roster is a tree that have to be lower down for one thing new to bloom.
So what’s the imaginative and prescient? It’s a Pittsburgh crew perennially targeted on profitable now, making an attempt to maximise an getting old protection and fill in Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt’s empty playoff resumes. That’s why the Steelers have put up with ready for Aaron Rodgers, proper?
Buying and selling George Pickens makes it tougher to grasp. Expertise-wise, the Steelers are additional away from their purpose. It’s a good critique of the commerce, particularly occurring post-draft.
Since Omar Khan and Andy Weidl took over as head and assistant basic supervisor, whereas nonetheless figuring out Mike Tomlin’s affect is highly effective (if something, it’s grown), it appears that evidently Pittsburgh’s plan is that this:
1. Spend 2023-2025 draft capital on increase trenches
2. Aggressively draft a first-round QB in 2026, utilizing stockpiled capital to maneuver up if wanted
3. Develop expertise acquired in steps 1 and a couple of
4. Use obtainable cap house due to rookie contract to fill in remainder of roster with free brokers
5. Financial institution on power in trenches and quarterback as basis to make Steelers Tremendous Bowl aggressive once more
In Khan’s first three drafts, it’s been trench warfare. Pittsburgh has had six alternatives within the prime two rounds. 5 of these have been devoted to the traces. Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier offensively. Keeanu Benton and Derrick Harmon defensively. It’s an Eagles-like strategy little doubt influenced by Weidl’s presence.
Attacking quarterback subsequent 12 months is apparent to see. The group of prospects will hopefully be stronger than what 2025 provided the place Pittsburgh understandably and neatly averted an early transfer, getting good worth with Will Howard as a substitute. Time will inform the viability of the Steelers’ touchdown a prime passer, however they’ll definitely strive.
Drafting is one factor. Creating is one other. Pittsburgh’s monitor report is combined. Broderick Jones is slipping towards bust territory and getting into an important third season. Keeanu Benton has performed a lot better however didn’t take the anticipated sophomore leap. Zach Frazier seems to be like a stud whereas Troy Fautanu’s rookie 12 months turned a wash. And we’ll get our first take a look at Harmon this weekend throughout rookie minicamp.
Kenny Pickett was a miss but it surely’s laborious in charge growth for that. The analysis was simply poor. And even when a scarcity of growth is in charge (Pittsburgh did little to assist, I’ll say that a lot) most of the items that existed then don’t anymore. New basic supervisor, new offensive coordinator, new quarterbacks coach.
The main target of 2025 have to be getting this line to develop right into a top-10 unit. If not, the Steelers will probably be watching 2026 with wants at quarterback, receiver, offensive line and a handful of defensive spots.
Pittsburgh’s plan isn’t distinctive. Fundamentals aren’t presupposed to be and most groups need to construct across the trenches and quarterback. However the Steelers struggled working towards that purpose in Kevin Colbert’s later years, leaving the roster feeling hole when Khan and Weidl took over. Having a plan and executing it are two starkly various things, however if you need an concept of the place the Steelers need to go, that is the trail.
