The pittsburgh steelers’ standard has fallen in recent years, and after coming up short again in 2023, they will be making significant strides this offseason.
Quarterback is a big issue, as kenny pickett continued to fail and mason rudolph, a free agent, only had a small sample size of good play when filling in for pickett.
If general manager omar khan is unable to find a viable starting quarterback this offseason, the steelers’ 2024 season could be over. The offensive line could also need to be improved in pittsburgh over the next few months. there are two players on the trade market who are expected to address both of these issues. Khan should definitely speak with these two teams to see if these potentially impactful players are available, so let’s take a look at who they are and see why the steelers should pursue them this offseason.
Evan Neal
the steelers’ offensive line made some strides this season, particularly in the passing game. Once broderick jones became a full-time starter and the team committed to running the ball, they began physically outnumbering their opponents and dominating on the field. In 2024, things will get even better. Jones played a little out of position for much of the season, as the steelers used him at right tackle rather than his more natural position at left tackle. jones will be able to return to his natural position as a right tackle if the steelers can acquire a true right tackle.
Dan moore jr. is a solid player who can be useful in a pinch, but he isn’t the type of player you want playing the majority of snaps at left tackle. Jones was a rookie in 2023 and has already proven his worth as a run blocker. He is a hard worker, and the steelers can expect him to grow as a pass blocker this offseason.
The steelers should look to the new york giants for a trade partner, as they are most likely looking to move on from evan neal, a natural right tackle who hasn’t panned out for the giants. Neal was drafted out of alabama in the hopes of being the right tackle for new york in the future, but it hasn’t turned out that way. Neal hasn’t been a success in new york, and the team could be looking to move on from him this offseason.
Justin Fields
the steelers’ next move is to sign a new quarterback. They should at least bring someone in to compete with pickett and rudolph, assuming they can re-sign rudolph in free agency. Since ben roethlisberger’s retirement, their quarterback room hasn’t been good enough, and this has been the biggest obstacle to their success. The quarterback is the most important player in football, and a team cannot be competitive without a good signal caller. If they want to be true super bowl contenders next season, the steelers will need to make a significant change at quarterback.
Acquiring justin fields would go a long way toward resolving this issue.fields’ career has been up and down since being selected by the chicago bears with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 nfl draft. Fields is one of the best mobile quarterbacks in the league, but he has failed at times in the passing game. However, there is reason to be optimistic about fields’ prospects. Although he has had his flaws with the chicago bears, their offensive line play during his time under center left a lot to be desired, and their coaching staff has been poor at recruiting young talent.
The steelers do not have the luxury of waiting for pickett to develop or for another quarterback to fall into their lap. With star defensive players like cam heyward, t.j. watt, and minkah fitzpatrick approaching the end of their careers, their super bowl window could be closing quickly. The steelers must act quickly and profit from this opportunity to compete for super bowls.
