Things are progressing quickly for the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers. After only three weeks that have resulted in three wins, Pittsburgh is looking more like a team that is putting an embarrassing few years behind it. With so much growth in such a short time, how close is this franchise to being considered a legitimate NFL contender like it once was?
Steelers Closer To Contender Than Expected
Going into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers’ home opener was considered an excellent, early-season test. Not only did Pittsburgh emerge victorious, but it was done in such a way that it has started raising expectations, all while the 2024 campaign isn’t even at the quarter mark. The truth is that those raised expectations might have to be taken seriously instead of being seen as a knee-jerk response to a solid game. The win over the Chargers was another in a series of games that have clearly shown growth and productivity in key areas of the roster.
There is a big difference between a team putting together a string of viable wins and one earning the right to be seen as a threat to other top franchises in the league. With what the Steelers have shown early in 2024, though, there are reasons to wonder what kind of addition would elevate the team from hopeful to Super Bowl contender. While it may be bringing back the same broken record, the word among the media and Pittsburgh fans is that a wide receiver complement to George Pickens is the only thing missing.
Pittsburgh’s Defensive Perspective
Because it is the Steelers, the situation has to be approached from a specific perspective due to how the front office has constructed the roster. The Kansas City Chiefs, for example, have invested 57.8% of its salary cap (1st in the NFL) in the offensive side of the football. That means the Chiefs expect its offense to be the difference between wins and losses, especially in late-season and playoff games. However, the Steelers only have 24.3% of its budget spent on the offense, which is last in the league.
The 2021-2023 seasons prove that even a team with Pittsburgh’s investment in defense needs a competent offense to function, which Matt Canada was incapable of. A superstar like Tyreek Hill or Justin Jefferson might look attractive in Madden, but it would be unrealistic and excessive for the Steelers to pursue. That receiver that could make a difference for Pittsburgh doesn’t have to be a household name or come with a $100-million price tag. What is it, though, about the first three games of 2024 that could have the Steelers already one piece away from making a deep postseason run?
An Offense Surpassing Expectations
It is impossible to discuss anything about the offensive growth of the Steelers without giving plenty of credit to Pittsburgh’s new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith. A fully rebuilt quarterback room, an injection of youth into the trenches, and an inherited lack of trust from the fans posed a challenge for Smith. Unlike Canada, though, Smith has handled himself and the offense with professionalism and a knowledgeable touch that has been sorely missed in Pittsburgh. Smith spent the offseason preparing and communicating to ensure he had the trust of the offense, and it is showing in the first three games.
The most significant difference is Justin Fields and the way the former Chicago Bears’ quarterback put together a remarkable game against the Chargers. His command of the game was clear, he was poised, and despite a thin receiver room, Fields’ 245 passing yards were efficient and intelligent. The offensive line stood up against a strong Los Angeles front seven, paving the way to Fields’ rushing score and giving him a pocket for a 55-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III. The feeling is that with another focus-pulling receiver like Pickens on the roster, Fields would have every tool needed to continue excelling.
Balance And Possession
Pittsburgh spends more on defense than any other team in the NFL, and the unit has responded as such and then some. The Steelers came into Week 3 as one of the better defenses in the league, but after Sunday’s win, Pittsburgh can officially claim the top defensive spot. Allowing -5 yards to the Chargers’ offense while pitching a second-half shutout in the 20-10 victory was the definition of dominant. It was a group effort, as well, rather than relying on Watt to shoulder most of the weight. Nick Herbig had a brilliant day, the secondary continued to be stingy, and Pittsburgh is allowing a mere 8.7 points a game.
Like many shutdown defenses throughout NFL history, the group still needs the offense to do its part. It is incredibly difficult for any defense, even a top unit in the NFL, to produce when it is being put onto the field without time to recover. The Steelers are the NFL’s second-best possession team, exceeding 33 minutes per game. That means the Steelers consistently field a rested defense when late-game attrition sets in. That is something the 2023 defense never got, and as such, was forced into constant late-game scrambles and exhausted defensive players struggling to catch their breath.
Early Success Will Pay Off
Skepticism and anxiety from fans were the feelings leading up to Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, which the Steelers won 18-10 thanks to six field goals from Chris Boswell. A defensive 13-6 win in Week 2 over the Denver Broncos continued the positive growth seen in Atlanta. In both games, there were big plays erased due to penalties, so there was the feeling that Pittsburgh’s offense was better than the box score was showing. Smith preached to the locker room how close the team was to breaking out before Week 3, and with the best offensive performance of 2024, he is being proven right.
The Steelers have the hardest 2024 schedule in the league, with most of the challenging contests packed into the latter half of the season. Considering that this is a brand new offense being rolled out with plenty of new names, including the coordinator, being 3-0 with an offense holding its own, hopes are rising in Pittsburgh. The only concern is the lack of depth at the receiver position, except for Roman Wilson, who has yet to play a game. Without another legitimate target to complement Pickens, this group can only take the Steelers’ offensive so far without the limitations becoming painfully clear.
Conclusion
Pittsburgh didn’t end up trading for Brandon Aiyuk, but that particular brand of pass catcher could be the exact type that would be available and enough to make the desired difference. As the season progresses, players like Davante Adams or Terry McLaurin could become restless in their respective situations. Omar Khan, Pittsburgh’s general manager, has already shown a knack for making big moves to bring in the right people, and those skills could be once again required to ensure the Steelers take that next step.
As the Aiyuk saga showed, Khan isn’t willing to mortgage the future to bring in someone. It’s going to be the right moment and price, but the reality is the 2024 Steelers are already exceeding expectations. If this kind of growth and success continue, considering it isn’t jumping the gun to see the Steelers sitting anywhere between 6-2 and 8-0 when the team’s bye week arrives in Week 9. Anything close to those results before the trade deadline could bring that missing piece to the Steelers, making the team a dangerous 2024 contender.
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