Steelers Changes 2024 - Rebuild Theory/Team/Moves

OK guys and gals, I've highlighted below what I think would be the "best" plan I can think of to rebuild this (once) great franchise. It pains me to see what's happening to our beloved Steelers. I just don't see Pickett as the answer (I hate saying this) - we need a QB that can help us compete in the AFC North, and build an offense around. There are no good options here: draft means we waste TJ/Cam/Minkah's best year, and there is no good free agents (without a tremendous cap hit).

In this "exercise" (please don't roast me too hard), I traded Tomlin for Fields and pick (and picked up Justin Field's 5th year option). Field's was voted the best RUNNER in the entire NFL in 2022 (over 1K yards), has a rocket arm, and paired with our new (proposed) coordinator (Greg Roman who developed Lamar Jackson during his MVP year), this could put us over the top. It's certainly a "risk", but I feel better about this than rolling with Pickett (though I love the guy and pray to GOD he figures it out!).

Thoughts? Any better suggestion?

Steelers Coaching Changes:

• Head coach: Brian Johnson (eagles OC)
• OC: Greg Roman (former Ravens/Lamar - running QB/strongest running game)
• OL coach: Mike Munchak
• DC: Brian Flores

Trades:

• Mike Tomlin to Bears for Fields and 3rd round draft (69th): Fields 5th year option (one year “prove it”; Pickett learn offense)
• Pickens and Okorafor to Chiefs (1st/25th pick); gives Chiefs a proven "talent" at WR (to work to Mahomes) and a mid-grade Tackle where they need help.

Roster Overview (including mock draft results, below):

• QB: Fields (trade)/Pickett
• RB: Warren/Harris
• WR: Dionte/Austin/Coleman (R)/Burton (R)
• TE: Muth/Washington
• LT: Jones/Moore
• G: Semaulo/Frazier (R)
• C: Powers Booth (R)/Herbig
• G: Daniels/Herbig/Frazier (R)
• RT: Latham (R)/Cook

• DT: Benton/Rogers (R)
• DE: Heyward/Leal
• DE: Adams/Robinson (R)
• OLB: Watt
• ILB: Holcomb/Colson (R)/Robinson
• ILB: Robert/Alexander
• OLB: Highsmith/Herbig
• CB: Porter
• S: Fitzpatrick
• S: Kazee
• CB: J. Johnson (Free Agent)
• Slot: Peterson

Team Needs:

• C, RT, WR, DT, S
• Depth: QB, OL, LB, RB

Cut/Trade (free CAP space):

• Okorafor (trade): ($18)
• Trubisky ($8)
• Ogunjobi ($10)
• A. Robinson ($10)
• Cole ($6)
• Pickens (trade): ($4) (1st chiefs)
• Total: $56M

Free Agent Signings (CAP HIT):

• Jaylon Johnson CB ($19)
• Fields QB ($24)
• Free agent depth/Misc/restructures ($13)
• Total: $56M

2024 DRAFT SELECTIONS (Mock from NFL Draft Buzz):



PICK: 16 RND: 1 (PIT)

JC LATHAM

OT Alabama




PICK: 25 RND: 1 (PIT)

Keon COLEMAN

WR Florida State




PICK: 48 RND: 2 (PIT)

Jermaine BURTON

WR Alabama




PICK: 69 RND: 3 (PIT)

Jackson POWERS-JOHNSON

C Oregon




PICK: 80 RND: 3 (PIT)

Zach FRAZIER

C West Virginia




PICK: 116 RND: 4 (PIT)

Justin ROGERS

DL Auburn




PICK: 121 RND: 4 (PIT)

Junior COLSON

LB Michigan




PICK: 194 RND: 6 (PIT)

Darius ROBINSON

DL-EDGE Missouri

 

You put some thought into it. I know one thing I'd love, an HC that was an OC. Today's NFL almost requires you have an offensive minded HC.

 

That dream sheet looks a lot better than what we got. Only thing I wish is somehow we get ahold of Gardner Minshew. Would look great as a #1 or #2. QB for us.

 

Nice thinking, but I like the term reload in lieu of rebuild. This is the type
of thought process Steelers FO should be doing if they aren't already. The biggest key is if the Steelers
do not fire MT, a competent OC with (proven play calling experience) along with all offensive
position coaches replaced. I believe Cooper Dejaun CB would look good at 16 and then OL/C /DL/Safety/ QB
there is still time to debate over draft picks. We need draft capital and hopefully the FO can accomplish this.

 

a lot of thought , especially for a first thread. FYI there is a draft room thats get pretty busy after the season, usually picks up from the combines till the draft.

Have no idea which direction they go, if MT stays or goes, but we need a good OC from an experienced and successful line, I do not know his contract status, but why would Flores leave Detroit for the same position here? I think Munchak would be welcome back, but one reason he left (at least reason given) was to be closer to family, whatever it is a coaching change we need.

 

When I see what the Rams and a couple of other teams have done with lower draft picks it reinforces that the draft can be. and is still the way to build your foundation, it starts with reliable scouting department, an continues with a good coaching staff. Omar's first draft last year seems pretty impressive, hope that continues AND they bring in a coaching staff that can make a difference.

 

Thanks for putting in the time. I like several parts of your plan - trading Tomlin and Pickens, building the o-line, drafting 2 WRs. I like the creativity of your plan, but I doubt Pickens can bring a #1 pick. (Why won't KC just draft Coleman if he is available at pick 25)? ARII has to prove me wrong, but I think Tomlin is back, with a 1-year extension instead of the typical 2-3 year extension. Looking at the patience the Rooneys had with Noll and Cowher, and if it becomes Tomlin's first losing season, I believe ARII will give Tomlin the benefit of doubt. The offensive coaching staff will be gutted, and Kahn/Weidl have a big influence on the new offensive coaches, especially the OC. We will probably see several defensive coaches replaced as well.

 

I also am not so sure Steelers will get rid of MT. But Art II must let GM take control of hiring OC and other position coaches as needed.
Maybe this will push MT out the door? It should be a very busy off season for GM and FO. Deals must be made, this would
be totally out of the box for this organization. It must be done, we have become stagnant.

 

I think the vet QB2 FA period should be interesting next year. The number of QB's that have had to start this year is insane, and the success of some of these guys is going to drive their price up. I would not mind Minshew in the QB room, he is not a guy that necessarily is going to take you places, but is a good presence on the team, is pretty steady on the field, and like this year can step in when/if needed and control the O. I don't think they give up on KP just yet, but definitely need a guy that can be a manager when needed.

 

Flores is going to leave Minnesota for a lateral move to come back to Pittsburgh as DC, I don't see that happening.

 

This will probably be Cams last season. His career has already been wasted.

 

100% agree with this comment - need at least an offensive identify and put some “fear” in defenses. Especially while we still have our defensive studs “in tact”.

 

I really like Minshew, too - but more as a number two. I don’t think he can enable us to compete with the Burrows, Lamar’s; but unfortunately, he’d be an “upgrade”.

 

very fair points - I love “reload”. And I also love Cooper Dejuan! I just couldn’t pass up that potential franchise Tackle to pair with Broderick. Cooper would also be an excellent pick for sure

 

When rebuilding you have to take into consideration the way the Steelers operate.

 

Flores is a long shot for sure (probably not possible to your point). I love what he did for our D last year, and feel they should have promoted him.

Regarding Munchak, the rumor is his situation changed. I’m not certain, but I’ve heard this quite a few times that he’d be willing to move at this point. A dream scenario for sure!

 

Fair comment cemented in our history. With that said, we took way more risks since Khan took over. But I highly doubt they’d go in the direction I outlined:

 

I certainly hope not - I feel “if they followed my outline”, maybe it would excite him and he’d give it another year or two? With that’s said, his cap hit is starting to hurt (though he’s worth it at this stage IMHO).

 

Fair points - Pickens is a “sure thing” WR with talent proven at the NFL level. Keon Coleman is a stud, but hasn’t played a down in the NFL (several WR busts documented in history). Pairing Pickens with Mahomes would give them a “sure thing” talent.

I also agree Tomlin will be back (IF he wants to - which no one really knows at this point). He looks deflated, so I’d wager there is a 50% chance that he’d prefer a change of scenery (just a guess of course). But IF he wants to stay, he will be our coach IMHO. IF he stays, AR better force the issue and have Khan hire some offensive and defensive assassins for the staff!

 

100% agreed - this is the most probable route they go (build through draft with some key signings at value pricing). Unfortunately that will be several years. I was swinging for the fences and doing “my best” for possibly fielding a 2024 contender. But you are right for sure.

 

I don’t either unfortunately. Maybe he would have stayed IF they offered? Or maybe he sees more of a org here? Wishful thinking more than likely to your point.

 

I hope the win over the Bengals doesn't fool them into thinking they don't need a new offensive coordinator.

 

No chance - they are painfully aware. They have to be.

 

There is more than a few every week who are underachievers and need to go.....Harvin, Cole, Walker , Wallace, and Dan Moore and those who have compared Pat F to Heath are blind..Absolutely zero consistency....It is sad that depth or stubbornness or both does not allow some changes