Pittsburgh’s New Physical Offense Could Be Scary…If the Right Dominos Fall into Place
By David Johnson
Smyrna High School
The first few days of the NFL offseason’s free agency phase has not been anything less than hectic. Some teams, like the champion Seattle Seahawks, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Denver Broncos, have neglected to substantially improve their roster. Others, however, have been making waves in the free agency pool.
When I saw the moves the Pittsburgh Steelers have made and their potential roster for the upcoming year at this point in time, it seemed like half of these guys could form a very competitive blacktop team. On the defensive end, multiple-time Pro Bowler and expert run-stopper Cameron Heyward (6 ‘5’’, 295 lbs) was re-signed, and man-coverage specialist Jamel Dean (6 ‘1’’, 206 lbs) was brought in from Tampa Bay. Some bruisers definitely arrived on the offensive side of the ball as well. Aside from 6’4’’, 229 lb WR DK Metcalf and 6’7’’, 311 lb TE Darnell Washington already being on the roster, Pittsburgh brought in a consistent 1K runner in 5’11’’, 215 lb Rico Dowdle, and traded for a reliable receiver in 6’4’’, 223 lb Michael Pittman Jr. from the Colts.
Facing this offense on paper could be scary. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman together are walking mismatches for almost any secondary, and Rico Dowdle is a threat to boulder through all three levels and have a 200-yard rushing game. Even their tight end room is massive. Capable pass-catchers and personnel that can gouge opposing defenses are all over this roster.
There are a few caveats to this potential success, however, glaring flaws that could hinder their ability to remain competitive in the AFC North this upcoming season:
Quarterback Stability
Anchored by a decent offensive line and better weapons than his previous down years in New York, Aaron Rodgers was nothing short of a good game manager for the Steelers. He was rolling off of his Comeback Player of the Year season, with 3,322 yards, 24 TDs, 7 INTs, and a 94.8 rate. None of these cumulated in a top-10 quarterback in the league, but the numbers were decent enough to, along with their consistently dazzling defense, a 10-7 record in a playoff spot. Although he played terribly in their first-round blowout loss against the Houston Texans, their success this year shows a long-standing truth: The Steelers can make the playoffs with a mediocre quarterback.
Put simply, the bare minimum that is needed is another game manager. If they can find a quarterback that can sling slants and posts to the humongous mismatches they have, they will be just fine. And with names like Kirk Cousins, Joe Flacco, Jimmy Garoppolo, and even past QBs Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers still on the board, Pittsburgh can reliably sign a bridge quarterback for the upcoming season if they don’t find anything attractive through the draft.
Wide Receiver Consistency
Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf look to make a gritty mismatch for any opposing defense. You know, that would definitely be terrifying in 2023. You see, both wide receivers are in desperate need of an improvement year. Neither has had 1,000 receiving yards and 8 TDs since the 2023 season: Pittman Jr. with 784 yards/7 TDs and Metcalf with 850 yards/6 TDs.
Although Pittman Jr. might have an excuse due to Daniel Jones’ breakout season being cut short due to declining play and a season-ending injury, Metcalf…does not. Now, don’t get me wrong: Metcalf had a decent year, but Pittsburgh expected much more as they extended him last season as well. It was a new system, but Metcalf struggled to adapt, with route-running and chemistry with Rodgers hindering the possibility of explosive plays. And the suspensions didn’t make it any better, being out for games when having a number 1 might have turned the tide in their favor.
In the best-case scenario, Pittman’s arrival should take care of itself. Two big-bodied WRs that pose a mismatch should get Metcalf or Pittman more open, or better matches for big plays. After all, outside of Metcalf last year, the WR room wasn’t anything special. The next-best receiver was undersized vertical threat Calvin Austin III, who didn’t even crack 400 receiving yards. By bringing in Pittman, Pittsburgh starts to reclaim a gritty identity, build a stronger WR room, have the possibility of further deepening that room through the draft, and pose a danger to their offense.
McCarthy Era in the Steel City
Mike Tomlin had been the beacon of Steel City for almost 20 seasons. During his tenure there, a 193-114-2 record was achieved. Youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl, no losing seasons, 13 playoff appearances, and a Coach of the Year award in 2008. No head coach besides Bill Belichick has been more consistent in the modern era than Tomlin, and he is forever a Steelers legend.
Mike McCarthy’s resume is just as good as Tomlin’s. Super Bowl win with the Packers in 2010, 60% career win percentage, double-digit wins in 11 seasons, and consistently leading the teams he’s coached to high-caliber offenses. However, he has never made it to the top of the mountain in his Dallas tenure, in which his offenses have been more loaded. That has brought much scrutiny on his career, not Tomlin’s.
The real test is Pittsburgh’s offense. How can he get them on the right foot? They have mismatches all over the board, and Tomlin’s mind was mainly defensive. That defense won’t change with their system largely intact. A consistent, not explosive (they’re not Dallas, after all) offense will certainly take them to the playoffs once again. The question is, can he have the same influence on Pittsburgh’s potential that he had with Dallas? Can he put his renowned talent for quarterback development and West Coast, receiver-heavy offensive scheme to use once more to reach the crest?
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