The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a pivotal crossroads as they look to reshape their offensive strategy for the upcoming season. Finishing fourth in the league with 533 rush attempts in 2024, the team faces both challenges and opportunities. Despite their high rush attempts, they ranked 11th in rushing yards and 20th in yards per attempt, indicating a need for improvement in efficiency. Key changes are anticipated on the offensive line and in the backfield, as the Steelers prepare to adapt and compete.
The offensive line is set for a transformation with the emergence of young talents like Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, who are expected to take over the starting tackle positions. Their development is crucial following a season where James Daniels, a seasoned guard, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in September 2024. Meanwhile, Mason McCormick, another promising guard, showed potential but faced difficulties towards the end of the season. The team's commitment to nurturing these young players will be essential as they aim to bolster their front line.
"We absorbed a lot of attrition during the course of the journey. We ended up playing a lot of young people. They responded in a real positive way, but maybe they fatigued mentally and physically. Those are things that we're unearthing as we begin this information gathering process," said Mike Tomlin.
Running back Jaylen Warren emerged as a potential focal point for the ground game, despite a slight dip in his performance from 2023 to 2024. In 2023, Warren averaged an impressive 5.3 yards per carry, but this figure fell to 4.3 yards per attempt in 2024. With Najee Harris likely to depart as a free agent after four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, the Steelers must explore options to reinforce their rushing attack through either the draft or free agency.
The receiving corps remains a bright spot for Pittsburgh with Pat Freiermuth and George Pickens leading the charge. Freiermuth recently secured his future with a four-year, $48.4 million extension, following a productive season with 65 receptions for 653 yards and seven touchdowns. Despite an injury-shortened campaign, Pickens contributed 900 receiving yards, showcasing his potential as a key playmaker for the team.
"You've got to look at the young guys that we have," said Freiermuth. "So we've got guys that need to step up, myself included."
Calvin Austin III also added significant value to the offense with 548 receiving yards and an impressive average of 15.2 yards per reception. The return of nearly 60% of their total yardage from the previous season provides a solid foundation for the Steelers as they aim to enhance their offensive capabilities.
"We got to take that leadership role and whatever happens, free agency or whoever we bring in, we got to let them know what the standard is and what it means to be a Pittsburgh Steeler," Freiermuth emphasized.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin remains optimistic about the path ahead, despite acknowledging the challenges faced by the team over the past year.
"Certainly, it didn't end the way we like as a collective and as a smaller collective," Tomlin remarked.
The Steelers' offseason strategy will focus on building around their burgeoning talent while addressing key areas that require enhancement.
"Obviously we weren't able to get that done this year. Obviously, we tried. Our goal is to win a playoff game and the Super Bowl, but there's no time for laying down. There's a solution every time I'm in this building to figure out a way to get that job done," Freiermuth stated decisively.
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