The Steelers are entering a new era on offense, finally moving on from Matt Canada after three seasons as the offensive coordinator. While the change to former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith has plenty of potential pitfalls, the move is a clear upgrade to what they have been working with for years.
The move also means potential opportunities for players to either bounce back from poor seasons or reinvent themselves in the new offense. Three players in particular are heading into the 2024 season with questions about their future with the Steelers. If they can fit well into Smith's offense, they will have the chance to prolong their career in Pittsburgh.
Pat Freiermuth needs a big fourth season to return to Steelers
Pat Freiermuth started his career with the Steelers strong, posting consecutive 60-catch seasons and putting up over 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns in those two seasons. Last year was a huge disappointment, however, missing five games and finishing with just 308 yards.
Part of it was the continued struggles of Matt Canada and the poor quarterback play he dealt with for the majority of the season. Regardless of the reason for his drop in production, he has a big opportunity to revive his value and earn a lucrative extension after the season.
Arthur Smith has consistently made his tight ends a big part of the passing game, and Freiermuth has the skills to be a weapon that he can move all over the field. He has always preferred the more agile, explosive types at tight end, and Freiermuth fits that mold. I think he could be used similarly to how he used Jonnu Smith both with the Titans and more recently the Falcons. If so, he could receive a sizable deal to return to remain in Pittsburgh long term.
Najee Harris may no longer fit into the Steelers plans
When news broke that the Steelers declined the fifth-year option on running back Najee Harris, many were surprised that the team chose not to guarantee another season for him at just a $6.79 million price tag. He has been the focal point of their running game for three seasons, reaching 1,000 yards every season of his career.
His efficiency, however, has been lackluster. He has averaged just 3.9 yards per carry so far in his career on 834 attempts. 2023 was his most efficient season, so perhaps he is turning a corner in that regard. Aside from his lack of explosive runs, the switch to Arthur Smith at play-caller may also have impacted their decision not to pick up his option.
Smith runs an outside zone running game that prioritizes speed and vision at the running back spot. Players like Derrick Henry, Tyler Allgier, and Bijan Robinson have been very effective in his offense for that reason.
Harris has already been losing carries slightly to the more explosive Jaylen Warren, and that trend could increase in 2024. Unless Harris can adjust his style of play, he may be looking for a new team after this season.
Russell Wilson's career could hinge on this season
Russell Wilson had very few opportunities to be a starter in 2024 after a disappointing two-year stint with the Broncos. The Steelers ultimately gave the veteran quarterback a chance to prove his mostly-excellent career was not over quite yet, signing him for the veteran minimum this offseason.
Wilson may have found himself a starting job, but the fit with Arthur Smith is far from seamless. Smith has asked his quarterbacks to attack the middle part of the field at a very high rate, something Wilson has historically avoided doing. He had the second-lowest percentage of throws in the intermediate part of the field in 2023 according to Pro Football Focus, with Justin Fields ironically finishing last.
That doesn't guarantee that Wilson will struggle for the Steelers in 2024, but his recent level of play combined with the poor fit schematically doesn't bode well. If he does fail to adjust his style of play, or if Smith can't adjust to his, then this season could very well be the end of Wilson's time as a starting quarterback in the NFL.