The 2024 NFL football season won’t end until Sunday when the Eagles and Chiefs play in Super Bowl LIX. But for Steelers fans, all eyes are on next year, as speculation builds on what improvements the team will make to hopefully put an end to their eight-year streak of playoff futility.

The offense has drawn particular interest. Pittsburgh ended the season averaging 22.6 points per game, which was their highest total since they scored 26.0 per game in 2020. However, the offense flamed out down the stretch, averaging just 14.2 in their five-game losing streak to conclude the season. The Steelers failed to score more than 17 points in all five games, which is the first time that’s occurred this century.

Pittsburgh has major decisions to make on the offensive side of the ball. Here are one writer’s thoughts on how those decisions could shape the lineup entering next season.

Quarterback

2024 Starter: Russell Wilson

Projected 2025 Starter: Justin Fields

Talks are supposedly under way with both quarterbacks, neither of whom is currently signed in Pittsburgh. Steelers’ owner Art Rooney II said recently he would prefer to bring one of them back, but that both returning was unlikely. So, which one?

Pittsburgh’s preference is rumored to be Fields, and rightly so. Fields is a decade younger than Wilson, and with his mobility, would allow coordinator Arthur Smith to run a more diverse offense. Fields does not read coverage as well, but the hope is that Pittsburgh can still develop that aspect of his game. Signing him would feel like the offense is moving forward, while signing Wilson, whose regression as the season wore on was significant, would feel the opposite.

The price tag for Fields is tough to gage. He may have done enough in his six-game tenure as Pittsburgh’s starter to attract offers from potentially QB-needy teams like the Jets, Vikings, or Giants. Or, with a year in Smith’s offense under his belt, and assurances from the Steelers he will be the starter, he may desire a return to Pittsburgh. I’d bank on the latter scenario, as the mutually beneficial nature of the situation should be enough to get a deal done.

Beyond Fields, the Steelers may also re-sign Kyle Allen, who served as their third-string quarterback this season, as their primary backup. Allen would not be an ideal long-term solution if Fields were injured, but he has 19 pro starts under his belt and could fill in if necessary. Expect Pittsburgh to add a quarterback in the draft as well, most likely in the middle rounds. Such a player would be a developmental prospect who would likely be groomed to become the eventual backup.

The immediate focus at quarterback should be on Fields, as he provides the best available option on the market.

Running Back

2024 Starter(s): Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren

Projected 2025 Starter: Jaylen Warren, Draft Pick/Free Agent X

For a back who is one of just 14 players in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in his first four NFL seasons, Harris never felt like the impact player the Steelers thought they were getting when they drafted him 24th overall in 2021. He is a free agent now, and will almost certainly leave.

Warren should take over the starting role, but don’t expect him to receive a Saquon Barkley-like workload. He’s never had more than 149 carries in a season, and I would expect the Steelers to bring in another back with whom Warren will share time. They can look to the draft or the free agent market to do so, with their course likely defined by their pursuit of high-level free agents elsewhere. If, for example, they sign a top-end receiver like Tee Higgins, I’d expect them to look to the draft for a running back. Conversely, if they settle for a mid-tier receiver, they may get more aggressive in the running back market and target a player like J.K. Dobbins or Aaron Jones. The Steelers found success with the undrafted Warren, so selecting a back in the later rounds is possible, too. Whatever they do, expect Warren to get his shot to be the team’s primary runner.

Wide Receiver

2024 Starters: George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III

Projected 2025 starters: George Pickens, Draft Pick/Free Agent X, Calvin Austin III

The one area Omar Khan did not fortify last off-season was wide receiver. The Steelers added some mid-level players (Jefferson, Mike Williams) and a 3rd-Round draft pick (Roman Wilson) who was injured and missed the season. This proved costly, as Pittsburgh was not talented enough at receiver to create problems for opposing defenses.

One would hope the Steelers have learned that lesson. The big fish in the free agent market they’re expected to pursue is Cincinnati’s Higgins. Higgins will come at a hefty cost — upwards of $30 million per season — but adding him would give them a legitimate #1 receiver to pair with Pickens and would lighten the box to open up their run game. Higgins will have plenty of suitors, and convincing him to come to Pittsburgh, who does not yet have a quarterback, as opposed to Los Angeles to play with Justin Herbert, or Denver with Bo Nix, won’t be easy. If the Steelers can do it, it would be a coup.

If not, they’ll need to turn towards the draft, where some talented pass catchers will be available when they select at #21 overall. A draft pick like Emeka Egbuka would be nice, but if I’m Khan, I’m doing whatever I can to land Higgins. The impact he would make on this offense is greater than any available player.

Tight End

2024 Starters: Pat Freiermuth, (Darnell Washington)

Projected 2025 starters: Pat Freiermuth, (Darnell Washington)

Freiermuth enjoyed the best season of his career under Arthur Smith in 2024, catching a team-high 65 passes and seven touchdowns. He is locked up for the next several seasons on a new contract, and should continue to grow in this offense. Washington, whom the Steelers paired with Freiermuth in their frequently-used 12-personnel grouping, is a solid blocker who showed progress as a receiver, too. The Steelers will likely add a player or two to fill out this room, but they are in good shape with Freiermuth and Washington as their primary tight ends.

Offensive Line

2024 Starters: Zach Frazier, Isaac Seumalo, Mason McCormick, Dan Moore, Broderick Jones

Projected 2025 starters: Zach Frazier, Isaac Seumalo, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Broderick Jones

The line struggled in 2024, which was a product of several factors. Injuries took a toll, as Daniels and Fautanu were lost for the season early on. The Steelers started two rookies, and though both look like long-term contributors — particularly Frazier — there were growing pains. The biggest surprise was the regression of the tackles. Moore and Jones both stepped back from their production a year ago. Moore, who is a free agent, is unlikely to return.

The good news is the Steelers are well-positioned for 2025. Daniels will leave in free agency, but they have three solid players returning in Seumalo, Frazier and McCormick. Fautanu looked sensational prior to his injury and will undoubtedly be an upgrade over Moore. Jones is a question mark, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Steelers add a free agent tackle to compete with him. But they are unlikely to give up on the second-year pro, who is still just 23 years old. The Steelers could use depth at guard, too. Ultimately, though, this group should be better than they were in 2024.

Summary

Despite the fact the offense ended 2024 on a sour note, there is reason for optimism. Smith should have the entire off-season to tailor the scheme to Fields’s strengths, which is something he did not do last off-season. The addition of an impact receiver opposite Pickens will benefit the entire unit. A running back to compliment Warren should be fairly easy to find, which will not just mitigate the loss of Harris but could be an upgrade. And the addition of Fautanu, plus the experience Frazier and McCormick have garnered, will almost certainly improve the line. The Steelers won’t rival the Bills or Lions as the league’s top-scoring unit next season. But, with some savvy moves from Khan, they could be significantly better.

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