The Pittsburgh Steelers finished the 2022 season strong, and they could have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations if they do only these three things for 2023.
Many Steelers fans were hoping that big personnel changes were forthcoming this year in an effort to get this team back on top. However, it doesn’t seem like there will be any significant coaching changes in 2023. Because of this, a large portion is starting to lose hope in the organization.
The good news is that it’s not all doom and gloom in the Steel City. Pittsburgh has a new general manager at the helm in Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl did wonders for the Philadelphia Eagles before coming to town.
However, the Steelers cannot simply ‘run it back’ and expect better results. Even if they aren’t firing members of their coaching staff this offseason, there are three moves they can make that would have the potential to take them to the Super Bowl in 2023.
3. Steelers must hire a passing game coordinator
We’ve seen two years of Matt Canada as the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator now. He can’t do this on his own. Though I would have strongly preferred the Steelers to fire their OC and get a more innovative mind, there is something that Mike Tomlin can do to help Canada in his third season: hire a passing game coordinator.
A passing game coordinator knows the strengths and weaknesses of his receivers and tries to utilize his options in a way that is best for the team. He would meet with Matt Canada and offer suggestions — maybe even interject some new passing concepts into the offense.
Not every NFL team has a passing game coordinator, but some have found success with them. Obviously, Matt Canada would still call the plays on offense, but a potential new assistant could help him get a little more innovative on offense.
2. Steelers must sign OT Orlando Brown Jr.
The second thing that the Pittsburgh Steelers need to do to make it back to the Super Bowl is to sign a premier left tackle. And since these don’t grow on trees, Orlando Brown Jr. certainly looks like the best option slated to hit free agency in 2023.
There are several unknown factors that come into play here. First, the Chiefs could technically slap the franchise tag on Brown for the second straight year, but this would require them to take a massive cap hit all at once, and there’s no guarantee he would resign. Secondly, if he does hit the market, teams could get into a bidding war for the Pro Bowl left tackle.
Regardless, there’s no question in my mind that adding a player like Brown would give the offense a significant upgrade. Pittsburgh would be getting one of the better players at one of the most important positions in the league.
This is way more than the Steelers typically spend on one guy in free agency, but if they want to get serious about getting back on top, they shouldn’t hesitate to look for a premier tackle in free agency. Taking one early in the NFL Draft is always an option as well, but there’s no guarantee you will get a player like this. Orlando Brown is still just 26 years old and has earned quality grades from PFF in four straight seasons.
1. Steelers must draft a wide receiver early
I would hate for the Pittsburgh Steelers to have to spend a first-round pick on a wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft when they have plenty of other pressing needs at important positions. However, we’ve seen around the league how fast a team can turn around by adding a good receiver.
Right now, the Steelers have a promising young player in George Pickens, but Diontae Johnson is coming off the worst year of his professional career, and who knows what the team will be getting out of Calvin Austin (who spent his entire rookie season on IR). Outside of these three, Pittsburgh won’t be getting much of anything offensively from their receivers.
Even if they don’t address the position with the 17th overall pick, Pittsburgh does own the 33rd pick in the NFL Draft this year thanks to the Chase Claypool trade. They could take the pick acquired from the Bears and throw it back to another wide receiver.
Adding a face very familiar to Kenny Pickett, like Jordan Addison, could really help the young quarterback early in his NFL career. If the Steelers want to see themselves get back on top as soon as 2023, they need to take a big step forward on offense, and adding a quality receiver early in the draft could give them a much-needed spark.