PITTSBURGH — T.J. Watt took a moment to mentally prepare himself as he checked his phone and slipped his hands into his pockets, knowing full well that tough questions were just around the corner.
As a standout linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers with eight years of professional experience, Watt has become increasingly accustomed to the often abrupt ending of seasons. This typical cycle has become a hallmark for his team— a strong beginning, a disappointing finish, a harsh loss in the playoffs, and then the awkward locker room cleanout, eventually culminating in subdued farewells.
Unfortunately, the 2024 season mirrored outcomes from previous years like 2023, 2021, 2020, and 2017, which has grown tiresome for a player who is building a Hall of Fame-worthy career, yet still bears the significant absence of playoff success. “There’s not one thing that needs to be fixed here,” Watt remarked on Monday, mere hours after a 28-14 defeat against Baltimore— marking the Steelers’ sixth consecutive playoff loss. “There’s a lot of things.”
However, the specifics of what could be improved remain somewhat ambiguous, even as Watt positioned himself as “part of the solution.” This past winter, Pittsburgh dismantled its quarterback group, reshaped its offense, but ultimately found itself once again in a familiar position: a 10-7 record and left on the outskirts of the postseason, their flaws laid bare against formidable opponents.
When asked if he felt the Steelers were closer to reclaiming a spot among the elite teams in the league, Watt responded with a shrug, recognizing that a lackluster five-game finish to the season— which included heavy defeats by Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore— didn’t inspire confidence in a team on the rise. “I don’t know,” Watt said, emphasizing he hasn’t lost faith in the group, asserting that they possess the necessary pieces.
Yet, getting these pieces to come together in crucial moments has proven to be a challenge. The Steelers displayed a distressing sameness during their late-season struggles: sluggish starts on offense, a defense that allowed easy double-digit advantages for their rivals, and fruitless attempts to rally back. This was often followed by rhetoric about needing better preparation and execution, words that didn’t translate into improved performances no matter how many games they played.
What comes next remains uncertain. The Steelers have no intentions of dismissing head coach Mike Tomlin, who is set to begin his 19th season as the longest-tenured coach in the NFL. Key players like Watt and Pat Freiermuth recognize Tomlin’s leadership as essential. However, considerable changes to the coaching staff seem plausible. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who plays a key role in devising game strategies with Tomlin, may be on his way out after a troubling defensive performance during the latter part of the season, which Austin himself alluded to before the loss to Baltimore.
As he put it, “The one thing as coaches that we do in our staff is we take pride in what our guys do and how they do it. If we fail or come up short, we don’t point it at the guys; we put it on us.” While recognizing accountability is commendable, the need for tangible improvement is equally critical.
Despite believing they made strides in certain areas— such as leading the league in takeaways and seeing improved performance under first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith— the Steelers ultimately ended up where they have so often found themselves in recent years: packing up in mid-January while playoffs continued without their participation. “We need to win football games,” Watt insisted, adding, “but I don’t have all the answers as we sit here right now as to what needs to change.” That sentiment was shared among his teammates as well.
The quarterback situation is another significant issue. The Steelers took a risk last winter, signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields, essentially granting both players a one-year opportunity to prove themselves. While there were glimpses of potential— Fields leading a 4-2 start while Wilson won six of his first seven games— their performance dwindled as the season progressed. The Steelers averaged a meager 14.2 points in their last five games, and Wilson’s once-prominent big plays faded away.
As both Wilson and Fields are set to enter free agency in March, the future remains uncertain, with both expressing a desire to stay. However, it’s unclear what contracts might be in store for each. Wilson’s season saw him throw 16 touchdowns and five interceptions, creating speculation around the financial negotiations, while inconsistency from Fields remains a concern, which influenced Tomlin’s decision to rely on Wilson despite a solid beginning.
Adding to the team’s challenges is the situation with wide receiver George Pickens. Despite showcasing impressive talent, the young player remains an enigma due to his on-field immaturity— being fined for various infractions, such as altercations with opponents and violating league rules. Tomlin has often come to Pickens’ defense, but questions arise about whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks as he enters a contract year. Should Steelers management decide against locking him in for the long term, exploring his market value through trade might be a viable route instead of relying on his ability to handle a decision professionally.
Looking ahead, the Steelers face a daunting task: sift through the remnants of yet another disappointing exit, revamp their coaching staff, and navigate the uncertainty they’ve created for themselves. The list of impactful free agents includes all three quarterbacks on the roster, running back Najee Harris, inside linebacker Elandon Roberts, and cornerback Cam Sutton.
Currently, Pittsburgh finds itself with approximately $55 million in available salary cap space and the 21st pick in the upcoming draft, with no quarterback under contract beyond March 12. As the offseason approaches, it promises to be another whirlwind period for the franchise.
