Tag: 2024 Steelers season

ESPN recommends the return of former Steelers cornerback

Ahkello Witherspoon is still an option for the Steelers to round out their cornerback depth chart.

With just a month to the start of training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers still have some important roster decisions to make. The one everyone wants to talk about is that pesky wide receiver position but ESPN went in a different direction.

They projected one final move for each NFL team to make ahead of training camp and instead of a big swing for a receiver, they think the Steelers should bring back cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.

Here’s what they had to say about bringing back Witherspoon:

Even with the arrival of Cameron Sutton to play in the slot, the Steelers could still use more veteran depth at corner. Witherspoon, a former Steeler, was surprisingly good for the Rams last season — he ranked 18th in success rate in coverage and 37th in coverage DVOA with 14 passes defensed. He will likely be inexpensive to sign, as he’s 29 years old and could back up all three Steelers starters.

Witherspoon was with the Steelers in 2021 and 2022 but suffered an injury-shortened second year. In 2021, Witherspoon got three starts late in the season and actually led the team with three interceptions.   While we are not opposed to the idea of Witherspoon returning to the team as depth along with Cory Trice Jr., if there is only one move the team makes, it has to be for a wide receiver.

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Steelers earn B grade from ESPN for offseason

The Steelers made a lot of great moves this offseason but trading away Diontae Johnson wasn’t one of them according to ESPN.

The 2024 offseason was a busy one for the Pittsburgh Steelers. General manager Omar Khan made multiple huge moves, most of which were universally praised. This includes the addition of quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, linebacker Patrick Queen and rookie offensive linemen Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier.

However, ESPN wasn’t quite as optimistic about the Steelers offseason. They handed out grades for every NFL franchise based on their offseason additions and losses and for the Steelers, they scored them a B.

The big move they did not like was the Steelers decision to trade away wide receiver Diontae Johnson for cornerback Donte Jackson. Here’s what they had to say about the move:

Trading Johnson for Jackson was an error in my view. While Jackson helps fill the void at corner opposite Joey Porter Jr., Johnson has much higher upside considering the incredible open scores (via our receiver tracking metrics) he has posted in his career — three 90-plus scores in five seasons.
The Steelers also signed linebacker Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract. Though I didn’t love the move given Queen’s risks — he plays a non-premium position and thrived only once he played next to Roquan Smith — this was a cheaper deal than I expected him to get.

We definitely agree the trading of Johnson was the worst move of the offseason unless you count the non-move of failing to replace him as worse. Keeping Johnson wasn’t as simple as it sounds. He showed a serious lack of commitment to the team last season and head coach Mike Tomlin always says he wants volunteers, not hostages.

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NFL analyst calls Steelers WR George Pickens a threat to single-season receiving record

NFL analyst calls Steelers WR George Pickens a threat to single-season receiving record

2023 was a breakout season for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. Despite some dreadful quarterback play, Pickens finished with an impressive 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and a league-leading 18.1 yards per catch. But with Pickens only heading into Year 3 and with a huge upgrade at quarterback, the sky really is the limit for the young superstar.

NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks offered up his top candidates to break the record for receiving yards in a season. That mark was set by Calvin Johnson in 2012 when he had 1,964 yards. Brooks included Pickens on his short list and here’s what he had to say about him.

Though the Steelers will adhere to a run-centric offensive approach under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Pickens could light up the stat sheet as the big-play specialist on the perimeter. The third-year pro has averaged nearly 17 yards per catch for his career, including a league-leading 18.1 yards per catch in 2023 with a revolving door at quarterback. With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields potentially being significant upgrades over their predecessors, the Steelers’ top playmaker could see his numbers spike as the focal point of a passing game committed to pushing the ball down the field. 

The biggest thing that will hold Pickens back from such a lofty goal is the fact that the team traded away Diontae Johnson, which means all the coverage will roll to Pickens. Pickens might have the best hands in the NFL but he ranks near the bottom in his ability to create separation. If the Steelers don’t address the wide receiver position and get Pickens some help, he’s going to have a tough time getting the looks he got last season when Johnson was drawing double teams.

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Steelers WR coach on George Pickens: ‘He’s just got to keep stacking the days’

Zach Azzani says even Ray Charles can see how much talent George Pickens has.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some incredibly unique talents over the years at wide receiver who never lived up to their potential. Guys like Plaxico Burress and Martavis Bryant were freakish players but couldn’t put it all together consistently enough to strike fear in opposing defenses.

Right now, Pittsburgh has another player with a ridiculous amount of talent who has an opportunity to put it all together and that is George Pickens. New wide receivers coach Zach Azzani sees the potential in Pickens and was clear about it in a recent interview.

“It’s right there for him,” Azzani said. “He’s just got to got to pick it up and take the cheese, do the things we asked him to do and he can do anything he wants. He’s that talented. I think you guys all know that Ray Charles can see that. You don’t need to be a coach. So we know that’s out there for him if he wants it. Now, he’s just got to keep stacking the days and that’s my job, too.”

Last season, Pickens led the team with 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and led the league at 18.1 yards per reception. The Steelers have a new offense with a new starting quarterback and Azzani is confident Pickens has a lot more to give if he does the things asked of him and keeps stacking good days.

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Steelers DL Cameron Heyward returns to team facilities

Cam is back!

According to Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is back at the Steelers facility on Tuesday as the team starts their third week of organized team activities (OTAs).

Heyward hadn’t been attending any voluntary workouts so far this season. This is the first time in Heyward’s previous 13 seasons that Heyward has not been to these workouts. This had been in response to Heyward wanting a contract extension this offseason. Heyward is heading into the final year of his current contract and admittedly coming off an injury-riddled season where his production was down.

We are optimistic the arrival of Heyward at OTAs means the two sides have come to an agreement that will keep him with the Steelers for the foreseeable future.

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Steelers RB Najee Harris won’t go down without a fight

Will Najee Harris be relegated to fewer carries in 2024 with such a great opportunity for succeed?

The Pittsburgh Steelers put running back Najee Harris is a very difficult position this offseason. The team declined his fifth-year option meaning he is on the last year of his rookie deal. We don’t know if this was the team’s idea or maybe he did it to himself. We don’t know the truth. Either way, Harris heads into the 2024 season with plenty of unknowns.

But for Harris, his top priority this season has to be to maximize his production and hope he can parlay it into a big contract. But will he get the chance?

On paper, the Pittsburgh offense looks more like the 1994 Steelers than the 2024 Steelers. Lots of power running and grinding it out behind a big, athletic offensive line. Perfect for Harris, right?

Maybe. Without knowing why Harris isn’t getting a fifth year we can’t know for sure just how much he will get the football in 2024. The wildcard is fellow running back Jaylen Warren. Warren has proven to be more than capable of being a feature back and is a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

There are really two ways this could play out. The Steelers might just run Harris into the ground, getting all they can from him and then send him into free agency with four straight 1,000-yard seasons but a lot of miles on his tires. Or the Steelers lean into Warren more, limiting Harris’ production before he hits free agency. We love Harris and hate the idea of him playing anywhere else and hope he doesn’t go down without a fight.

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ESPN ranks Steelers running backs outside Top 10 in NFL

Do the Steelers have one of the top running back tandems in the NFL?

All reports coming out of Pittsburgh Steelers OTAs are that the new offense under Arthur Smith is going to be run first, run heavy and lean on running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren along with the revamped offensive line.

ESPN’s Mike Clay ranked all the running back positional units in the NFL and had the tandem of Harris and Warren, along with Cordarrelle Patterson and Aaron Shampklin as the No. 11 unit in the league.

Last season the Steelers were the No. 13 rushing offense in the NFL, Harris finished with 1,035 rushing yards and Warren chipped in 785 more. Most of the team’s struggles on offense centered around the quarterback position so the hope is that the additions of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson will help Harris and Warren as much as anything.

Is this ranking too low? Based solely on talent, probably so. But based on the inefficiency last season, it is more than fair. This tandem has a chance to be among the best in the NFL this season which should quiet all the critics and naysayers.

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Steelers other roster needs could mean a trade of RB Najee Harris

The Steelers might trade Najee Harris before he hits free agency.

The more we think about the situation between the Pittsburgh Steelers and running back Najee Harris, the less inclined to believe Harris will be on the team after this season. We even wonder if Harris will even make it to the trade deadline this season.

Harris has been everything as advertised after being the Steelers first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Despite underwhelming offensive line play, Harris has topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of the last three seasons. A feat no other running back in the league has accomplished during that same stretch.

But Harris is on the wrong end of the business side of things. Running backs are grossly undervalued in the NFL and Harris is on the wrong end of a running back by committee with Jaylen Warren. Warren is a younger, cheaper and more explosive option on the roster and has proven to be capable to carry the run game.

Taking it all a step further, it might not just be a case of the Steelers not re-signing Harris after the year. With some definite roster needs, Harris might end up part of a trade during training camp for a team that could use a power back and might have a wide receiver they could part with.

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How many rookies will start for the Steelers in 2024?

The Steelers could see multiple rookies in the starting lineup.

The Pittsburgh Steelers put together one of the best draft classes in the NFL in 2024. Pittsburgh made seven picks and all of them have the potential to start at some point in their careers.

But in 2024 the Steelers roster has some needs and we want to see how many of the rookie class crack the starting lineup this season. Here is the full rundown of Steelers picks:

First round – OT Troy Fautanu, Washington

Second round – C Zach Frazier, West Virginia

Third round – WR Roman Wilson, Michigan

Third round – LB Payton Wilson, North Carolina State

Fourth round – IOL Mason McCormick, South Dakota State

Sixth round – DL Logan Lee, Iowa

Sixth round – DB Ryan Watts, Texas

We feel like as of now, there are three rookies who should be starters on Week One. Offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, center Zach Frazier and wide receiver Roman Wilson make the most sense. Inside linebacker Payton Wilson has an outside chance as well but beyond that, it feels more like these guys are future starters but key rotational guys as early as this season.

Cast your vote and tell us how many rookies you predict will start this season.

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Steelers LB T.J. Watt says for the first time in his career, he has ‘started to feel old’

Steelers LB T.J. Watt says for the first time in his career, he has ‘started to feel old’

For the past seven seasons, the centerpiece of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense has been edge defender T.J. Watt. In just seven seasons he’s established himself as the best pass rusher in franchise history, one of the best defensive players in the NFL and a near surefire Hall of Famer.

And now he’s old. At least that’s how Watt feels. Watt will turn 30 during the 2024 season.

“I feel old,” Watt said. “This is the first time in my career that I’ve started to feel old.”

“It’s weird. It’s very strange,” said Watt. “But it’s also kind of a check to understand that I don’t get to play this game forever. I understand that I’m not going to be able to play this game for 10 more years, so I need to be able to make each and every day count, each and every year count. I need to and do everything possible to bring another championship back to this city.”

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