Steelers' Mike Tomlin Finally Willing To Admit The Most Important And Obvious Fix To Pittsburgh's Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense was one of the most disappointing things to watch during their five-game losing streak in 2024. They couldn't even score 20 points in any of those games, which would put any NFL team at a disadvantage. The Steelers had hoped that new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, and quarterback Russell Wilson could elevate the offense to new heights, compared to what Matt Canada and Kenny Pickett could produce in recent years. While for the majority of the season, the offense was doing their job, scoring points and controlling time of possession, it all came apart in Week 15 and they couldn't put it back together.

In Mike Tomlin's last press conference of the 2024 season, he talked about the offense's lack of scoring at the end of the season. He agrees with most that teams cannot win games late into the yearly campaign with an offense only putting up 14 points a game.

"It certainly needs to score more points," said Tomlin. "In whatever way that happens, is whatever way that happens. It doesn't necessarily mean construction, but we certainly got to score more points. You're not going to score 14 points a week in January and be very successful."

The Steelers' offense was having a tough time starting games fast out of the gate. In their last five games, only one first drive did not result in a three and out. The offense's slow starts to games really put Pittsburgh in tough spots to dig out of, especially when the team has failed to secure a lead since their Week 14 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. 

The offseason is going to have more focus on the offense than the defense versus in past years. General Manager Omar Khan likely saw the lack of production that their receivers outside of George Pickens produced and would like to solve that issue, whether in free agency or during the NFL Draft. 

The Steelers have multiple players that could hit the open market if not re-signed. With Najee Harris' fifth-year option not picked up last offseason and key offensive pieces' contracts expiring, Khan has many decisions to make before free agency opens up. With questions about who will be the starting quarterback next season and if the Steelers should bring back both Harris and Jaylen Warren, he needs to build the 2025 offense with weapons that can score.

Fans were hopeful that the change at quarterback and a new offensive coordinator would be enough to end the current playoff win drought that the Steelers find themselves in, but another year has come by with the same results. While Tomlin doesn't believe a full on construction of the offense is needed, he knows that something has to change to turn around his lack of winning recently in the postseason.

Now as NFL teams are looking for their next head coach, the Steelers could also be looking for a new offensive coordinator if Smith is poached. He is quickly gaining interest from other teams as the interview process is heating up. With the New York Jets and Chicago Bears both requesting interviews with him, Khan and Tomlin could be looking for a new offensive coordinator along with personnel that will elevate their offensive output.

Steelers' Offense Needs Help If They Want 2025 To End Differently

The Steelers' lack of offensive firepower in the last few years has been frustrating to watch for fans. With the new quarterbacks that came in and Smith who had found success in the past as an offensive coordinator, this ending has been more disappointing than years before. Khan has a tall task ahead of him finding the right pieces to prevent this late season fall off of ever happening again.