In anticipation of the upcoming Super Bowl between the Chiefs and Eagles, many Steelers fans are left with a bitter taste. Their cross-state rivals are back on the biggest stage, and the Chiefs are making their third straight appearance. But perhaps what stings the most is the harsh realization of just how far the Steelers are from being true Super Bowl contenders once again.
Pittsburgh hasn’t played in a Super Bowl since 2011—a stark contrast to the 2000s when it felt like they were in the mix every few years. While there have been some great Steelers teams since then, they’ve consistently fallen short, unable to get over the hump. In recent years, the franchise’s once-lofty standard of competing for championships has faded into mere contentment with staying above average.
So, what needs to change for the Steelers to reclaim their status as true Super Bowl contenders?
Step 1: Coaching philosophies need to change
The biggest change that needs to happen is coaching. As we approach the next season, it seems unlikely anything will change, and how things unfold next year may serve as a final wake-up call for how this organization should move forward. However, with Mike Tomlin's job seemingly secure, both he and the Rooneys need to take a hard look at what's happening in modern football.
The offense the Steelers have been trying to model just isn't effective enough in today’s game. While running the ball remains crucial, there are many ways to be efficient while still maintaining a passing game. It's essential to recognize that this is a passing league, and a balance between both aspects is necessary.
If teams focus on stopping the run, then we need a passing game to rely on; if they focus on the pass, we should be able to grind out wins with the run. The goal should be to score as many points as possible and stop depending solely on the defense to win physical, low-scoring games.
On the defensive side, the scheme has become too predictable, year after year. I know Mike Tomlin has his influence on the defense, but for it to truly be elite—especially with the talent it already has—it needs to evolve.
The defense doesn't do anything special; there’s minimal blitzing, the defensive line doesn’t run various stunts or games to confuse offensive linemen’s protections, and the secondary doesn't disguise its coverages. Going forward, the Steelers’ defense needs to adapt and become more versatile, capable of matching different offensive schemes.
Both sides of the ball need a new approach, and while it’s hard to envision this happening under Mike Tomlin, if it doesn't, there should be serious conversations about either him making these changes or potentially moving on from him entirely.
Step 2: Find a franchise QB
First and foremost, the Steelers need to find a true franchise quarterback. Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the most important position in football has been a revolving door. It started with Mitch Trubisky as a bridge QB, only for the team to draft Kenny Pickett a month later.
Then came Russell Wilson, followed by Pickett’s trade after just two seasons, and shortly after, the acquisition of Justin Fields. In total, the Steelers have cycled through five starting quarterbacks since Big Ben retired in 2022—none of whom have solidified themselves as the answer.
To compete for championships, you need a legitimate quarterback, plain and simple. Right now, the Steelers don’t have one of that caliber on their roster. That’s step one for this franchise. They can take a shot in this year’s weak QB draft class or wait until 2026, which is projected to be much stronger. The challenge, however, is that Pittsburgh is never bad enough to land a top-tier quarterback prospect.
Moving forward, the Steelers must take a more aggressive approach, potentially trading up in the draft to secure their next franchise leader. With the team's best players aging, the window for success is closing. If they want to maximize what’s left, they need to find their quarterback—now.
Step 3: Create an environment where a young QB can thrive
One of the biggest challenges for teams drafting quarterbacks is the environment they enter. Nearly every elite QB in today’s game has been given the resources necessary for proper development. Success requires a scheme tailored to the quarterback’s strengths, a coaching staff that knows how to develop young passers and a supportive atmosphere that builds confidence through trust and positive reinforcement. Patience is also key—it takes time to adjust to the NFL.
For a rookie QB to succeed, a well-structured developmental process must be in place. It’s almost undeniable that Kenny Pickett entered Pittsburgh under a flawed system, lacking the right environment from the start. That’s a crucial lesson the Steelers should have learned, as his tenure ultimately ended in failure.
The relationship between a QB and their head coach or offensive coordinator is vital, and if the Steelers draft another quarterback, they must establish a far more competent offensive staff along with an effective philosophy and developmental process moving forward.
Step 4: Invest more money into the offense
The NFL is an offense-driven league. While most Super Bowl teams have a solid balance between offense and defense, having a good-to-great offense is essential to winning championships in today’s game. The Steelers currently allocate the most money in the NFL to their defense, while their offense ranks among the lowest in spending. Various factors contribute to this, but it's clear they need to invest more in their offense.
This team needs more playmakers and reinforcements along the offensive line. To compete with the high-powered offenses in the AFC, they must have the talent to keep up—and in the NFL, offensive talent requires opening up the checkbook.
If the Steelers make the right moves this offseason, an incoming rookie quarterback could step into a strong situation and have the foundation roster-wise needed to thrive.