For the first time since 1957, the Steelers have spent an offseason completely reshaping their quarterback depth chart. All three signal-callers who were in place for 2023 have departed, and the position’s new faces offer intrigue but also carry plenty of question marks. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are at different parts of their respective careers, though the coming season offers both of them the opportunity to rebuild their value and land an extended stay in Pittsburgh or interest from outside suitors.
The Steelers had a number of other options to choose from this offseason, one of which was Ryan Tannehill. The longtime Titans starter would have been a familiar face for new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, but he remains on the market after receiving early consideration from Pittsburgh. Instead, Wilson will be counted on to provide a veteran presence in the team’s new-look quarterback room. The 10-year Seattle starter entered his first offseason with his new team in pole position for the starting gig, although a calf injury limited his training camp participation to an extent.
The Steelers are traditionally not big spenders in free agency, and that generally remained true in 2024. Indeed, Queen was the only member of PFR’s top 50 list to take a deal with Pittsburgh. After the Ravens declined his fifth-year option last offseason (a move which followed Baltimore’s market-topping Roquan Smith extension), signs pointed to the second-team All-Pro finding a new team in free agency. Queen was not among Baltimore’s financial priorities for 2024, confirming he would depart after playing out his rookie contract.
Attached to the fifth-highest AAV for linebackers, Queen will step into a full-time starting role in Pittsburgh. Queen saw his production improve after Smith was acquired via trade, and in 2023 he set career highs in multiple categories (133 tackles, 3.5 sacks, six pass deflections). Having yet to miss a game so far, durability should not be a concern as well. The Steelers’ veteran-laden defense will receive a youthful infusion of production if Queen’s deal pays off.
Sutton spent his first six years with the Steelers before taking a three-year Lions pact in free agency. His time in 
Detroit came to an end not long after it was learned a domestic violence arrest warrant had been issued for him. The 29-year-old had his case resolved by entering a pre-trial diversion program, paving the way for a Pittsburgh reunion. Sutton will begin the season by serving an eight-game suspension, but once available he could handle multiple roles in the secondary. A veteran of 56 starts, the former third-rounder represents an experienced option in both the slot and on the perimeter.
In the absence of a more proven commodity like Boyd, the Steelers’ receiver depth will be worth watching. George Pickens will serve as the team’s top pass catcher, while the likes of Jefferson and Miller (along with the Skowronek-Watkins duo) will vie for playing time. Any member of that group filling a complementary role would of course be a welcomed development on offense.
Touted as the most pro-ready prospect from his draft class, Pickett was unable to deliver on expectations during his Steelers stint. The 26-year-old threw as many touchdowns as he did interceptions (13) and did not progress as hoped in Year 2 after a rookie campaign which included concussion issues. After finishing the 2023 campaign on the bench despite being healthy, a change of scenery could be best for all parties involved.
Just as Wilson is a pending free agent, Fields is as well since the Steelers made the expected move of declining his $25.7MM 2025 fifth-year option. That figure would not have been feasible after a year spent on the sidelines, and an evaluation period will be needed if Fields is to earn himself a stay in Pittsburgh after the coming campaign. How each passer fares in the coming months will dictate the way in which Khan proceeds at the position.
Pittsburgh is (at least for the time being) open to new deals with both Wilson and Fields. Exceptions to the team-imposed ban on in-season negotiating will not be made for either player, however, so the campaign will need to play out before any financial clarity emerges.
Johnson has one year remaining on his pact, but given his trade request it comes as little surprise the Steelers elected to move on. The 28-year-old was a staple of Pittsburgh’s passing game during his five-year tenure with the team; Johnson’s 87 targets in an injury-shortened 2023 campaign were the fewest of his career. The crafty route runner will look to move past the issues related to drops and effort which emerged at times in his Pittsburgh stint on the rebuilding Panthers for at least one campaign. The former Pro Bowler is open to a Carolina extension, however, so he could remain in place well beyond the coming season.
Jackson, 28, was a full-time starter during his time in Charlotte. Mentioned as a trade chip leading up to last year’s deadline, he remained in place through the campaign but became a cut candidate during the offseason. A notable defensive role in Pittsburgh could await him, but his new team’s CB play will of course depend largely on the continued development of Joey Porter Jr. A pending free agent who was held without an interception last season, Jackson collected a $4MM roster bonus upon arrival in Pittsburgh and his ability to land another lucrative pact (like the one he signed in 2022) will be dictated by his ability to regain his previous form.
Re-signings:
Killebrew first joined the Steelers on a one-year contract in 2021. His play that season earned him another deal, this time a two-year, $4MM accord. The 31-year-old remained a core special teams contributor while playing out that pact, while also logging 111 defensive snaps in 2023 (his largest workload in five years). Killebrew earned a Pro Bowl invitation and first-team All-Pro nod for the first time in his career, and that performance resulted in another raise. 
The former Lions draftee is still unlikely to see a regular starting role with Pittsburgh as he plays out his third contract with the team. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee are still in place, and free agent pickup DeShon Elliott has first-team experience. If the Steelers are to improve on their 20th-place finish in special teams DVOA from 2023, though, Killebrew will no doubt be a central figure in their progress.
Adams, 29, is another role player who proven to provide good value and earn another multi-year commitment. The former third-rounder has started 17 contests during his Steelers run, and he will at least represent a cost-effective rotational option along the defensive interior moving forward. Pittsburgh’s veteran D-line core is joined by the likes of recent draftees Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal and Logan Lee. If Adams can remain healthy, though, he should be continued on to chip in as a run defender in particular.
Notable losses:
- Miles Boykin, WR
- Mason Cole, C (released)
- Pressley Harvin III, P (released)
- Keanu Neal, S (released)
- Chukwuma Okorafor, T (released)
- Mitch Trubisky, QB (released)
- Patrick Peterson, DB (released)
- James Pierre, CB
- Elijah Riley, S
- Allen Robinson, WR (released)
- Mason Rudolph¸QB
- Mykal Walker, LB
- Levi Wallace, CB
- Armon Watts, DL
Rudolph’s Steelers tenure began in 2018, but his future as a starter – or at times even a backup – with the franchise was a question mark in recent years. Playing on another one-year pact, the Oklahoma State product nevertheless found himself at the helm of Pittsburgh’s offense during the team’s playoff push. Remaining in place after Kenny Pickett was healthy, Rudolph posted a triple-digit passer rating in each of his three starts to close out the regular season.
It thus came as no surprise that he remained atop the depth chart for Pittsburgh’s wild-card loss, a game which did not include a stellar performance on offense. Still, while it was unclear in the aftermath of that defeat how the Steelers would proceed at quarterback, it became known they were interested in retaining the 29-year-old. Talks on another new contract took place well in advance of free agency, with the franchise’s goal at that point being to add competition to a depth chart including Pickett and Rudolph. Things changed rather quickly thereafter, though, and the latter took a deal with the Titans to compete for the QB2 role.
Tennessee kept Rudolph in second on the depth chart throughout training camp, and the team’s decision to trade away Malik Willis during roster cutdowns confirmed he will back up Will Levis in 2024. The deal which sent Rudolph to Nashville is yet another one-year accord, so a Pittsburgh reunion will be a possibility depending on how the coming season plays out with his old team.
While it came as something of a surprise that Rudolph departed this offseason, the same was not the case for Trubisky. The former No. 2 pick would up making just seven starts across his two seasons in Pittsburgh, and both before and after the Wilson and Fields acquisitions it was clear he would not have a path to a first-team spot. A return to Buffalo will allow Trubisky to reprise his previous role as Josh Allen’s backup. 
Both Cole and Okorafor had one year remaining on their respective deals when they were let go. Cole’s PFF evaluation took a step back in 2023 after the two preceding years had produced his highest marks. The fact he remains unsigned is an indication of his underwhelming market, and the Steelers have moved forward with a long-term investment in the middle of their O-line.
Cole started every game of his Pittsburgh career; Okorafor spent much of his tenure as a first-stringer. The 27-year-old operated as a full-time first-team option from 2020 through to the midway point of this past campaign. After an incident over remarks he made during a Week 8 loss, Okorafor was benched in favor of Broderick Jones. The 2023 first-rounder represented a major long-term investment along the line, and his level of play early in his career kept Okorafor on the bench to close out the season.
Upon signing with the Patriots in free agency, the Western Michigan product is now a candidate not only to reclaim a starting role but to do so at left tackle. While a gig at his more familiar right tackle spot may be more likely, it will help Okorafor’s free agent stock if he manages to deliver a strong season with his new team. PFF rated the former third-rounder better over the past three years than his first three in the league, but he has never finished a year higher than 55th amongst qualifying tackles. Expectations will be higher moving forward for his Pittsburgh replacement(s).
Robinson was acquired via trade from the Rams last offseason after an underwhelming Los Angeles campaign. The former Pro Bowler started every game in 2023, but he was unable to deliver a productive season. The Steelers’ decision to move on came as a surprise to him, given his intention of staying in the league for several more years. Robinson, 31, landed an opportunity with the Giants in free agency; as a veteran who does not play special teams, however, he did not survive roster cuts.
Calvin Austin is in line to handle a larger role in the slot this year. Having missed his entire rookie campaign, it will be interesting to see how the 2022 fourth-rounder handles an increased workload during the coming season, one in which a different system will be in place and at least one new quarterback will be on the field. Austin has two years left on his rookie deal, and he could play his way into a second contract with a strong showing in a starter’s role.
Peterson held a first-team spot in his debut Steelers campaign, but the Donte Jackson move showed the team’s willingness to try other options in the secondary. Peterson, 34, hopes to continue his career and his open to returning to Pittsburgh for 2024. No agreement with the Steelers (or any other team) has been reached, and the 2010s All-Decade member will no doubt be expected to handle a depth role if another contract comes his way.
Draft:
- Round 1, No. 20: Troy Fautanu (OL, Washington) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 51: Zach Frazier (C, West Virginia) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 84: Roman Wilson (WR, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 98 (from Eagles): Payton Wilson (LB, NC State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 119: Mason McCormick (G, South Dakota State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 178 (from Cardinals through Panthers): Logan Lee (DT, Iowa) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 195: Ryan Watts (CB, Texas) (signed)
One of the defining elements of the Khan tenure to date has been a major overhaul along the offensive line. That effort continued on all three days of the 2024 draft, with two immediate starters set to emerge from Pittsburgh’ class. 
Fautanu was part of a deep crop of offensive line prospects, and he took visits with teams across the first-round order. While he served almost exclusively as a left tackle in college, the 23-year-old faced questions in the lead-in to the draft about where he would be best suited at the NFL level. Some interested parties considered him a guard, but Pittsburgh was not among them.
The Steelers spent their top pick on Broderick Jones last year, using the Georgia alum at right tackle during his rookie season. Jones was added as a long-term option on the blindside, though, and he is positioned to replace Dan Moore Jr. at that spot in 2024. Fautanu – who grew up a Steelers fan – will take on right tackle duties to begin his career. The two-time all-conference blocker faces high expectations based not only on his draft stock but how he was evaluated in the pre-draft process.
Pittsburgh rated Fautanu higher in 2024 than Jones as a prospect, so despite being less experienced the former Huskie will be counted on to deliver consistent performances right away. Fautanu allowed only three sacks in his college career, and a strong redshirt senior season won him the Morris Trophy as the Pac 12’s top offensive lineman. Forming an effective tandem with Jones would give the Steelers a long-term solution at both tackle spots.
Frazier entered training camp behind Nate Herbig on the center depth chart. The latter suffered a torn rotator cuff and will miss the 2024 season, however. With Herbig no longer in the picture, the way has been cleared for Frazier to take on starting responsibilities during his rookie season.
The 6-3, 316-pounder was a standout for much of his four years with the Mountaineers. Frazier earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2021 and ’22, landing a spot on the conference’s first team last season. If he manages to translate his success at the college level to the NFL, Pittsburgh will have an impact starter in the middle of the O-line now and for the foreseeable future. The same could of course be true at a guard spot if McCormick steps into a first-team role down the road.
With questions looming over the Steelers’ receiver depth, Roman Wilson should have the chance to earn at least a rotational role relatively quickly. Excelling in the slot during his time with the Wolverines, his most productive campaign came in 2023 while helping the team post an undefeated season en route to a national title. Wilson scored 12 touchdowns in 2023 while averaging 16.4 yards per catch in a run-heavy offense, but his stock fell outside the top two rounds prior to the draft. That made it no surprise he was available late on Day 2, but he could still prove to be an effective complementary option while splitting time with Calvin Austin as a slot target.
Payton Wilson was widely regarded as one of the top linebackers on the board, and he was frequently seen on top-50 ranking lists. Questions over his health led to a fall down the order, however. The 2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year dealt with knee and shoulder injuries during his lengthy college career, one which nevertheless included plenty of production. Wilson eclipsed 100 tackles twice (in 2020 and ’23), recording 11.5 or more tackles for loss three times. His final campaign resulted in new career highs in sacks (six) and interceptions (three), showcasing his ability against the run and pass.
Pittsburgh has Queen and returnee Elandon Roberts in place at the linebacker spot to start the campaign, but Wilson – if healthy – could see a heavy workload on special teams in addition to defensive usage in certain packages. Questions over his ability to remain on the field will be a talking point over the course of his rookie contract, but the potential the Steelers have in terms of a future impact producer is easy to see. For at least the time being, though, attention will mainly be focused on the team’s offensive draft investments.
Extensions and restructures:
Heyward was set to collect $16MM in 2024, the final year of his existing contract. The new deal replaces that old one, though, while locking in his compensation for the coming season and keeping him on the books through 2026. The three-time All-Pro made it clear this offseason he intended to retire as a Steeler, and that will now be possible. This past season ended his six-year Pro Bowl streak while a groin injury limited his production; Pittsburgh is obviously confident a bounce-back season is on tap. 
The Steelers’ latest commitment to Heyward (which came after a late negotiating push days before Week 1) represents a record in terms of compensation for a defender aged 35 or older. The former first-rounder’s age will be a factor in determining how willing Pittsburgh is to keep him in the fold for the life of this new pact, but that decision will become easier if 2024 includes another double-digit sack campaign. Last year’s Walter Payton Man of the Year winner, Heyward’s leadership will also be welcomed as his career winds down.
Pittsburgh has a mix of veterans like Larry Ogunjobi, Dean Lowry and Montravius Adams along with recent draft investments along the defensive line. After Heyward floated the possibility of a free agent departure in the spring, though, he will remain the leader of that unit in particular and one of the team’s key voices overall. Lowering his 2024 cap hit by roughly $9MM is another positive takeaway from the Steelers’ perspective.
Holcomb was a key member of Pittsburgh’s 2023 efforts to revamp the linebacker position. The former Commanders starter handled a heavy defensive workload during his debut Steelers campaign, as expected. The beginning of his three-year contract was halted by a major knee injury, however, one which he continues to recover from. The 28-year-old could face a lengthy stretch on the sidelines in 2024.
When setting their initial 53-man roster, the Steelers placed Holcomb on the reserve/PUP list, guaranteeing at least a four-week absence to begin the campaign. Teams use injury splits to reduce players’ base pay when they receive IR or PUP designations, but the decision to lock in just over half of Holcomb’s 2024 compensation is an encouraging sign for his health outlook. The North Carolina alum was set to carry a cap hit of $7.64MM this season before the restructure; that figure now sits at $4.74MM.
Other:
In the buildup to Pittsburgh’s wild-card contest, speculation swirled regarding Tomlin’s status. The potential for him to take a year off from coaching – just as Sean Payton did in 2022 – was raised. The press conference immediately following that loss to the Bills did not produce an answer, but one day later Tomlin confirmed he would remain in place for at least one more year. To no surprise, however, 2024 was not set up as a lame-duck situation.
Owner Art Rooney II made it clear in January he was prepared to make a new commitment to Tomlin. Bill Belichick‘s Patriots departure leaves the 52-year-old as the longest-tenured coach in the NFL. Tomlin has a championship on his resumé along with a second Super Bowl appearance which followed two years later. The Steelers have not won a playoff game since 2016, however, posting five straight one-and-done postseason appearances. That statistic is of course weighed against the fact Tomlin’s teams have never finished below .500 in his lengthy stint.
Remaining in contention for an AFC playoff spot will again be expected of the Steelers in 2024, regardless of which quarterback sees the most time. Likewise, moving on from one or both of Wilson and Fields in the offseason would create a transition Tomlin would be tasked with managing, just as he oversaw the move from Roethlisberger to Pickett. Failing to break the playoff win drought will no doubt lead to continued questions about a change on the sidelines down the road, however.
Improvement on offense will be a key factor in that regard. The Steelers made an incredibly rare move by firing an OC (Matt Canada) midseason after he clashed with other staffers at times. Both Mike Sullivan and Eddie Faulkner – Canada’s interim replacements – are still in place on the staff, and Smith is expected to include them in game-planning more than his predecessor. However it comes about, steps forward in efficiency on that side of the ball will be welcomed by all involved. 
Smith was fired by the Falcons after three straight 7-10 seasons. The 42-year-old was unable to utilize Atlanta’s recent skill-position draftees to full effect, and future head coaching interest will be affected by his ability to maximize Pittsburgh’s scoring potential. With a lack of proven wideouts aside from George Pickens, Smith – who turned aside interest from the Jets for an unspecified offensive role – is expected to replicate his run-heavy approach from his time as the Titans’ OC. Success on the ground would help compensate for underwhelming quarterback play in 2024 or later if neither Wilson nor Fields were to be retained. It would also boost Smith’s stock and help Pittsburgh’s bid for a deep playoff run.
Harris will play a central part in the Steelers’ attack for 2024, but it will be interesting to see if that remains the case beyond the coming season. Omar Khan’s public remarks on the running back market last offseason foreshadowed the decision to put Harris on track for free agency in March. The Alabama product has remained durable while handling one of the league’s heaviest workloads to date, but his 3.9 yards per carry average illustrates a lack of efficiency which may not be overcome in the future.
Khan has since confirmed a new deal for Harris, 26, could still be in play. Much of his stock on a second Steelers pact will depend on his performance under Smith this year, but the same can also be said of fellow pending free agent Jaylen Warren. The latter showed potential by outperforming Harris on the ground and in the air last season, and a strong showing could generate strong interest relative to the position’s current financial constraints. Without any major offensive deals on the books for 2025 (pending extensions for Pickens and/or Freiermuth being in place by then), the Steelers will certainly have the option of making a notable investment in Harris, Warren or another back during the spring.
Aiyuk’s 49ers saga became one of this year’s main offseason storylines. The second-team All-Pro appeared destined to depart via trade at one point during training camp, but he turned down the opportunity to go to the Patriots or Browns. Tomlin and the Steelers, by contrast, were an attractive destination. Pittsburgh’s extension offers fell short of $28MM per year, a figure dwarfed by the AAV of Aiyuk’s eventual 49ers deal (four years, $120MM).
Had the San Francisco-Pittsburgh swap taken place, second- and third-round picks would have gone the 49ers’ way. Needing an immediate receiver replacement, the Round 3 selection would have been flipped to the Broncos for Courtland Sutton. With Denver turning down that proposal, though, the agreement fell through. Khan’s willingness to pay notable draft capital and make a receiver investment near the top of the market is certainly notable, and poor showings from Pittsburgh’s secondary receivers could drive him to renew his pursuit of an outside addition next year.
Top 10 cap charges for 2024:
- T.J. Watt, OLB: $30.42MM
- Minkah Fitzpatrick, S: $21.36MM
- Larry Ogunjobi, DT: $13.29MM
- Cameron Heyward, DT: $12.61MM
- James Daniels, G: $11.17MM
- Isaac Seumalo, G: $10.19MM
- Alex Highsmith, OLB: $6.27MM
- Patrick Queen, LB: $6.73MM
- Donte Jackson, CB: $6MM
- Chris Boswell, K: $4.72MM
The Steelers’ 2024 financial outlook underscores how heavily they will be leaning on their defense this season – and potentially beyond, depending on how the quarterback and receiver positions are handled moving forward. Daniels is the only pending free agent on the list aside from Jackson, and he appeared to be an extension candidate earlier in the offseason. A June update from the 26-year-old himself confirmed 2024 will be a walk year, though, so his play this season will be worth watching closely.
As the AFC North showed last season, a winning record does not ensure much with respect to qualifying for the playoffs. The division in particular and conference at large figures to remain strong in 2024, and another year of poor offensive production could leave the Steelers in need of resetting at the QB position once again next spring. At least one member of the current depth chart could emerge as a viable long-term candidate, though, and coupling that passer with a strong defense may give Pittsburgh the chance to end the streak of early playoff defeats.
