Pittsburgh Review

The Pittsburgh Steelers concluded their season with a press conference led by Coach Mike Tomlin, who addressed various topics related to the team's performance and future prospects.

The Steelers' offense ended the regular season ranked 23rd overall in the NFL, placing 11th in rushing and 27th in passing. This was Arthur Smith's first year as offensive coordinator. Tomlin described it as a mixed experience. "I thought we had a good experience in a lot of areas," said Tomlin. "Certainly, the fact that we're talking here today is reflective of it's not always been good."

Quarterback Russell Wilson completed 214 passes for 2,482 yards, achieving 16 touchdowns and five interceptions after missing six games due to injury. Tomlin praised the collaboration between Wilson and Smith: "I thought it was pretty good and fluid," he noted.

The quarterback situation remains uncertain as all three quarterbacks—Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen—are under contract for only one season. Discussions with General Manager Omar Khan are planned to address this issue. Before signing Skylar Thompson to a Reserve/Future contract on Tuesday, Tomlin stated, "We don't have a quarterback under contract and so we've got some major discussions there."

Fields began the season leading the team to a 4-2 record before Wilson returned from injury. When asked if Fields could start next season, Tomlin responded affirmatively: "Certainly." He added that Fields showed growth throughout the year: "I thought he brought an urgency in his day-to-day work regardless of his role."

Injuries were another significant concern for the Steelers during the 2024 season. Besides Wilson's calf injury, players like George Pickens suffered hamstring injuries. Addressing this issue is crucial for next year's preparations: "We experienced a rash of soft tissue injuries that was impactful," said Tomlin.

Despite challenges faced by the offensive line due to injuries, running back Najee Harris managed three consecutive games with over 100 yards from Week 6-8. However, later performances declined due to fatigue among younger players filling gaps left by injured teammates.

Tomlin emphasized ongoing evaluations: "Those are things that we're unearthing as we begin this information-gathering process." The coach aims to identify underlying causes affecting performance throughout this past season.