What is the Future for the Pittsburgh Steelers?

The Pittsburgh Steelers had another disappointing season. Not a horrible one by any means, but just the same old thing. A wild card playoff exit. The main thing that needs to be addressed. 

Coaching:

Will Mike Tomlin be fired? Mike Tomlin has had playoff appearances in 4/5 seasons, and it would have been 5/5 if not for a 2-6 start in 2022. And in each of those 4 games, his teams have gotten decimated. 

Playoffs in 4/5 seasons is not something that should be taken for granted, but it is also very disappointing that not one of those appearances has resulted in a win.

I don’t believe he should be back; the Steelers should look to trade him for a 2nd and 3rd round pick. I think that’s solid compensation. But he also has a no-trade clause in his contract, so that is probably an issue. 

But my prediction is that he will be back; the Steelers just don’t get rid of coaches.

Management/Roster Changes:

If Tomlin is gone, I just simply think they need to trade TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cam Heyward, and just start fresh. If Tomlin is gone, Omar Khan better be gone too. Khan should be gone either way, along with the coordinators. I believe the players still trust in Tomlin, but Tomlin isn’t the only issue in my opinion. 

Both of the coordinators probably need to be let go; Teryl Austin for sure. And Khan should be fired tomorrow; he has done a horrible job assembling that roster other than the addition of Patrick Queen. Omar Khan has been with the Steelers since 2001, making his way up the ladder. 

You see, that’s the issue.

Khan is still living in 2006 and 2009. Building his teams the way those squads were constructed. The Steelers need to fire him and just start fresh. Hire a GM from outside of the organization. 

The moves this offseason that need to be made:

4 free agents that intrigue me the most are Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Jaylen Warren, and Najee Harris. All four of them shouldn’t be back; they need to start fresh. But the thing is, if Omar Khan is the GM, that will not happen; he will continue his old-school Steelers ways and probably keep two or three of four of them. 

What needs to happen regardless of GM:

If Tomlin is returning, which I assume he will be, they won’t do a full rebuild right away. I assume they would keep the main players, especially the defensive ones.

The one move that needs to be made is the Steelers need to trade for a DT.

Even though they have a lot of money already invested in the defense, it seems that they are 1 piece away from taking it to the next level. I think that is the defensive tackle position. 

The Ravens ran the ball down Pittsburgh's throat on Saturday, and another star DT would fix that. I say they trade a pick or two for a DT like Vita Vea, Jeffery Simmons, or Deforest Buckner.

I think they should make a trade for a DT and draft a WR in round one. 

Also, I would 100% be taking a QB in rounds 2, 3, or 4. A QB that can develop for a couple of years, a guy like Jalen Milroe, would be a perfect option depending on where he falls. 

Now these moves I suggested wouldn’t put the Steelers in Super Bowl contention, but it would actually improve the roster some stuff that hasn’t happened in years, and it could be the move to get them over the Wild Card slump, and who knows, maybe they could go on a little run next season while a guy like Jalen Milroe is developing. 

With all of that being said, what do you think the Steelers should do?

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