The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 offense has been underwhelming, and the absence of any Pro Bowl selections from the unit highlights the struggles. While this team has some promising talent, only wide receiver George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth appear capable of starting for other NFL teams at skill positions. This glaring lack of high-end playmakers has left the Steelers searching for answers in a league where star power is essential and often masks deficiencies.

In today’s NFL, success hinges on either having an ELITE offensive play-caller or transcendent players who can elevate an offense when schemes falter or coaching decisions fall short. For example, the Buffalo Bills lean on Josh Allen’s MVP-caliber abilities to make jaw-dropping plays when the game plan stalls. The Philadelphia Eagles boast a quarterback who nearly secured a Super Bowl MVP and title, backed by the league’s top running back and two elite wide receivers. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens have talent at every skill position, headlined by two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, a Hall of Fame-caliber running back, an All-Pro tight end, and a Pro Bowl receiver.

The Steelers, by contrast, lack this safety net. Their offensive success often rests squarely on the shoulders of George Pickens. When Pickens and quarterback Russell Wilson are in sync, the team can compete with tough opponents. But when they falter, as they did against the Bengals, the entire offense collapses. Pickens’ stat line from that game—a single catch for zero yards—was his worst as a professional. While every player is bound to have an off day, the real issue was the absence of others stepping up to fill the void.

Freiermuth tried to shoulder the load, delivering a standout performance with eight catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. Yet, his effort wasn’t enough to salvage the game. The Steelers needed contributions from more players, but they simply weren’t there. This isn’t just a personnel issue; it’s also a coaching problem.

Against the Bengals, the Steelers entered the game with a run-heavy approach, determined to establish the ground game at all costs. When it became clear the strategy wasn’t working, the coaching staff was slow to adjust. By the time they pivoted, the game was nearly out of reach. In the modern NFL, where adaptability and creativity are essential, this kind of stubbornness is a recipe for failure.

The best teams excel at putting their players in positions to succeed, maximizing strengths while masking weaknesses no matter what the plan was coming into the game. Pittsburgh hasn’t done this consistently. Instead, they’ve relied too heavily on a few players, exposing their lack of depth and creativity when those players are neutralized. To make matters worse, the coaching staff hasn’t prioritized utilizing dynamic role players who could provide a spark. This criticism has followed offensive coordinator Arthur Smith since his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons.

Moving forward, the Steelers need to focus their offense on their core playmakers: Pickens, Freiermuth, Jaylen Warren, Calvin Austin III, and Najee Harris—likely in that order. They also need to incorporate Mike Williams more frequently. Every time Williams has been given opportunities to make plays downfield, he’s delivered. Why he isn’t getting more chances remains baffling. At this stage, it’s difficult to justify putting any other skill players on the field outside of Darnell Washington. As Mike Tomlin might say: It’s playoff time—the single-game elimination tournament. Contributions from secondary players were appreciated during the regular season, but it’s time to lean on the best. In my opinion, Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller, Cordarrelle Patterson and MyCole Pruitt should only see the field in special teams or emergency situations.

It’s now or never. The Steelers face a daunting challenge in the AFC Wild Card Playoff Game against their bitter rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. If the Steelers can’t jump-start their offense on Saturday, another one-and-done playoff exit seems inevitable—leading to a long and VERY loud offseason.

The Steelers have had some bright moments this season, at one point they were in the top 10 in scoring offense. If they can find some answers this week, they have a punchers chance. I do know one thing, the Steelers won’t head to Baltimore intimidated. This team knows what it takes to beat the Ravens and has had plenty of success against them in the past. This is one of the best Ravens team ever so Pittsburgh better be motivated and ready to fight tooth and nail. Whether that fight will be enough to emerge victorious remains to be seen.

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