Steelers deservingly slotted near the top of 2024 NFL offseason rankings
By Tommy Jaggi
You don't have to look far and wide to see how much the Pittsburgh Steelers improved their roster on paper during the 2024 offseason. Pittsburgh didn't have a single notable outgoing free agent that was vital to their success, while they made significant upgrades around their roster in both free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft.
The NFL media quickly took notice of their inspiring roster turnover. For their impressive haul in the NFL Draft, the Steelers earned the highest consensus draft grades this year.
Now the offseason is in the rearview mirror. NFL teams have wrapped up OTAs and mandatory minicamp and are looking ahead to amping up the energy in training camp. In this calm before the storm, Josh Edwards of CBS Sports recently ranked the top 10 NFL offseasons in 2024. The Steelers came in 3rd in the rankings. Here's what Edwards wrote.
"3. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Josh Edwards, via CBS Sports
First and foremost, moving on from offensive coordinator Matt Canada in favor of Arthur Smith is an upgrade. By signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields, the organization leaned into its run-based identity. The offensive line draft selections give the Steelers an opportunity to take a big stride forward in that department this season. Pittsburgh used its first two draft choices on left tackle Troy Fautanu and center Zach Frazier. "
In addition to praising the additions of OC Arthur Smith and quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, Edwards went on to talk up Pittsburgh's impressive draft class -- mentioning players like Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Payton Wilson by name.
The only two teams ahead of the Steelers on this list were the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals. The Bears landed QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze in the draft while adding WR Keenan Allen and D'Andre Swift to bolster their new-look offense. Though the Cardinals found a WR1 for Kyler Murray in Marvin Harrison Jr., there's a case to be made that the Steelers should have been 2nd on this list.
Steelers must live up to rave offseason reviews
The Pittsburgh Steelers received as much praise as any team during the 2024 offseason. CBS Sports didn't even mention the additions of players like Pro Bowl LB Patrick Queen or third-round WR Roman Wilson. However, this team earned rave reviews last offseason and wasn't able to back it up with postseason success.
These things take time. We can't expect a pair of promising young draft classes in 2023 and 2024 to come firing out of the gate. But with all of the talent they added via the NFL Draft and free agency over the past two offseasons, it's time to live up to the noise.
On paper, there's no argument the Steelers are a vastly improved team. Pittsburgh went from Matt Canada to Arthur Smith, Kenny Pickett, and Mitch Trubisky, to Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, Dan Moore Jr. to Troy Fautanu, Mason Cole to Zach Frazier, Kwon Alexander to Patrick Queen, and Payton Wilson. The list goes on.
While it's going to take some time for this new-look roster to gel, it's essential that the Pittsburgh Steelers see some long-awaited postseason success. The streak of seasons without a playoff win cannot extend to eight after the 2024 season.
The Steelers' roster has changed for the better, and it's time to live up to the hype.
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