Time will tell if true change hits the Steelers or not. The club will likely revert to their constant flow of sitting in the middle of the pack to keep Mike Tomlin's "never had a losing season" streak alive. That is all this organization seems to care about at the moment. They want to play an outdated brand of football with hard-nosed running complimented by a strong defensive effort.
Everything seemed different after their disastrous five-game skid to finish the campaign. Despite that wake-up call, the Steelers should be expected to keep more of the same afloat heading into the offseason. With little change likely to come at the top of this club, other players could stick around. Pittsburgh could extend some key pieces on the roster between now and the start of next season.
T.J. Watt, EDGE
He started to show signs of regression during the final month of the year, but he could have played through an ankle injury. T.J. Watt is here to stay with the Steelers, and it would be unwise to get rid of a future Hall of Fame talent on any side of the ball. He shouldn't command as much money as he received last time, but Watt will get extended just like Cam Heyward did this last go around.
Larry Ogunjobi, DT
Who knows if Larry Ogunjobi will still be around by the start of training camp, let alone be in a position to command contract talks? Many have demanded that Ogunjobi be cut from the roster as his cap savings would do more for the team than he produced this past year. He was one of the bigger disappointments over the past couple of years and it's time that Pittsburgh and Ogunjobi move on.
Isaac Seumalo, OG
He has been the most consistent offensive lineman on the Steelers front since he joined the team. He had an injury setback at the beginning of the year, but he played solid once he returned. Isaac Seumalo might not be a star in the trenches, but he is a dependable guy, which Pittsburgh needs. This upcoming NFL Draft could see the Steelers draft his replacement or show they want to re-sign him.
Cole Holcomb, LB
He has been working hard to return from his career-deflating injury, but it makes little sense for Cole Holcomb to remain with the Steelers. Unless they take a gamble and retain Holcomb this offseason and let Elandon Roberts walk in free agency, Holcomb doesn't have a spot. His return from injury will be an amazing accomplishment, but his cap savings make little reason to keep him around.
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Miles Killebrew, S
He might not play his position on defense much, but Miles Killebrew deserves another contract extension once training camp hits. He has become one of, if not the best special teams players in the NFL since joining Pittsburgh. Killebrew might seem to play a small role for the team, but he has impacted games in the past. He is someone they should make a priority to re-sign before the season.
DeShon Elliott, S
From one safety to another, and DeShon Elliott might be more important to re-sign than Killebrew. With the unknown issues that surround Minkah Fitzpatrick, Elliott has brought a sense of physicality and calmness to his game. He has shown the ability to play tough football, which fans love. He has fit into the Pittsburgh tradition like a glove and deserves a contract extension at training camp.
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB
We reached another player on the list who might not be with the team after the upcoming off-season. Cordarrelle Patterson has been a disappointment for the most part. He was signed to become an impactful player on special teams, but that did not happen. Patterson did show some signs of life as a running back during the early portion of the season, but his cap savings outweigh keeping him.
Montravius Adams, NT
He might be worth keeping around for another season, but Montravius Adams could be a cap casualty this offseason. He doesn't save too much money, but he is worth cutting if you need a couple extra million to spend elsewhere. Adams has been reliable as a backup nose tackle for the Steelers, but it might be time to find some younger options if he sticks around for another year.
Dean Lowry, DT
He has a similar situation to Adams, but Dean Lowry makes more sense for the Steelers to cut. He would save some extra money in terms of cap space than letting Adams go would. Lowry signed a deal that was just adding a depth option. He did show some decent things this year, but when the club relied on him, he crumbled. Lowry has a good shot of not even being on the team next season.
George Pickens, WR
Here is the biggest decision of the Steelers offseason to date. Will they take a gamble and extend George Pickens, or do they trade him? It seems pretty obvious that they should move him this offseason and use what would've been his money on a reliable receiver. They should have learned a lesson from signing Diontae Johnson in the past, and that means getting rid of Pickens.
DeMarvin Leal, DE
Not much has worked out for DeMarvin Leal since he was drafted by the Steelers. In one sense, it is not entirely his fault as the club doesn't seem to know how to use him. On the other hand, Leal hasn't done much since his rookie year and injuries have become a problem. Pittsburgh will keep him around next year, but Leal will have to fight his way onto the roster to give himself a future NFL shot.
Calvin Austin III, WR
With the failure of Omar Khan to find a receiver upgrade, many had high hopes for Calvin Austin III this season. While he produced his best campaign as a pro, he still didn't show enough that would make you comfortable with Austin as anything more than a depth piece. One bright spot for him has been as a returner. Austin could earn himself a contract extension if he earns it next season.
Corliss Waitman, P
Cameron Johnston just signed a big deal to be Pittsburgh's punter last free agency, so the odds of Corliss Waitman sticking around are slim. Unless Johnston is not on the right track to return from his injury, Waitman will be shooting for a job elsewhere. He did a great job during his time in Pittsburgh, and he deserves a job as a team's punter. Waitman was a great story for the Steelers.
Connor Heyward, TE
While Cam Heyward is coming off a great season, his little brother, Connor Heyward cannot say the same. The Steelers took Heyward in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and it was a good story at the time. Since then, Heyward seems to have gotten worse with time. He hasn't shown enough flexibility, and he continues to regress as a tight end. Heyward will struggle to make the roster.
Mark Robinson, LB
Sometimes it is difficult for a former seventh-round pick to even make it through his original contract going into the NFL. Mark Robinson has been a disappointment, but he was also a late-round pick. Many thought he could develop into a solid depth piece, but Robinson hasn't been able to accomplish that. The inside linebacker position is full of talent, and he might struggle to survive training camp.