With the Pittsburgh Steelers slated to start training camp next week, it seems appropriate to put a bow on the offseason. Could another move be made, in some way? Absolutely, but it is likely? No, it isn’t.

So, I went back and looked at the list of team needs I created after the Steelers Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills and wanted to see how they did in checking off all these boxes this offseason. Before going any further, these needs are in no particular order, and this is my list. You may disagree with these, or add other positions, and that’s fine. Just to clarify this list is mine and not taken from any other outlet.

So, let’s take a look at the team needs, and if the team addressed those needs this offseason.

• Center – Drafted Zach Frazier in the 2nd Round of the 2024 NFL Draft

We learned the Steelers were going go with Nate Herbig at center if they didn’t bring in another player, but I think we can all see Frazier as the guy who is considered the future of the position. Will Frazier start Week 1? That’s the only real question at the position. It isn’t a matter of “if”, but “when” for Frazier being the anchor in the middle of the offensive line.

• Offensive Tackle – Drafted Troy Fautanu in the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft

The Steelers are going to go into the regular season with Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones and Fautanu as their primary trio at offensive tackle. It could be worse, but I think Fautanu will be on the Broderick Jones timeline to eventually start on the offensive line. The future is now at the tackle position, and Fautanu and Jones could be tremendous bookends for the next decade.

• Quarterback – Signed Russell Wilson and Kyle Allen, traded for Justin Fields

When I made this list, I was assuming Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph wouldn’t be back, but I never thought Kenny Pickett would be traded. Nonetheless, the Steelers bring in a proven commodity and leader in Wilson, with a player like Justin Fields with a ridiculously high ceiling. Throw in Kyle Allen’s experience as a QB3, and the Steelers did more than address the team need, they got markedly better.

• Inside Linebacker – Signed Patrick Queen, drafted Payton Wilson in the 3rd Round of the 2024 NFL Draft

There was a point when I thought the Steelers were going to hope and pray Cole Holecomb would be healthy enough for the 2024 regular season. And if he wasn’t, they’d lean on Elandon Roberts again and hope Mark Robinson took a big step forward in his progression. They didn’t sit around and wait, instead they sign Queen and draft Wilson, suddenly Holecomb’s return isn’t dire, and the team got more athletic in the process. A great offseason for the inside linebackers.

• Wide Receiver – Traded Diontae Johnson, Signed Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Scottie Miller, drafted Roman Wilson in the 3rd Round of the 2024 NFL Draft

Of all the positions on this list, the wide receiver is the one which seems unfinished. There has been a lot of talk about trading for a receiver, but now it seems more and more like the organization is hoping for the development of Wilson and a step forward for one of the many wide receivers listed above, including Calvin Austin III. They could still make a move, but it seems more and more unlikely by the day.

• Cornerback – Acquired Donte Jackson via trade, signed Cam Sutton

The Steelers let Levi Wallace walk in free agency, and you knew they would address the position in some way. They trade for Jackson, and acquire Sutton as a free agent. Sutton will be out of the lineup for the first 8 weeks of the season, but the team is going to have to rely on some lesser known players to fill the gap until Sutton is able to return. Players like Beanie Bishop, Ryan Watts, Cory Trice and even Darius Rush. Going to have to find someone to fill the void, but if Jackson is a CB2 opposite Joey Porter Jr., the organization did their job.

• Offensive Coordinator – Hired Arthur Smith

When the Steelers fired Matt Canada during the season in 2023, you knew a new coach was coming into call plays in 2023. Fans had gotten through the Randy Fichtner and Matt Canada eras, both of whom did not have an NFL resume of calling plays, and they bring in Arthur Smith. Smith does have a legitimate NFL resume, so the early look at this move seems like an upgrade.

To hear more about the team addressing these needs, check out the Wednesday episode of “Let’s Ride” in the player below this article.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for training camp on July 24th.