The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering an offseason of reflection and evaluation after failing to secure a playoff win for the seventh consecutive year. Owner Art Rooney II expressed his frustration with the team’s current state, characterizing it as stuck in mediocrity and emphasizing the need for a turnaround.
“We’ve had enough of this. It’s time to get some wins,” Rooney II stated, conveying a sense of urgency. Despite Head Coach Mike Tomlin extending his streak of non-losing seasons to 17, the organization and fans no longer view this as sufficient. The Steelers, once known for contending for Super Bowls, find themselves distant from that level of success.
Rooney II, however, believes the team is not as far from contention as it may seem, especially after a promising 2023 NFL Draft class.
“I think it’s fair to say that I do feel that we’re closer [to contending] at this stage of the game than we were at this point last year,” Rooney II commented. “I think we have a core group of players and we can compete with this group.”
The primary uncertainty revolves around the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. Kenny Pickett, the team’s first-round pick in 2022, has had a modest performance with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 25 games over the past two years. Despite this, Rooney II expressed confidence in Pickett, stating, “We still feel comfortable with Kenny.”
Mason Rudolph, who performed well in the latter part of the season, is set to become a free agent. Rooney II acknowledged Rudolph’s contributions, highlighting the positive impact of having competition at the quarterback position.
“Having competition at quarterback will be good for everybody,” Rooney II emphasized.
As the Steelers face crucial decisions regarding their quarterback situation, Rooney II recognizes the need for another impactful offseason by General Manager Omar Khan. The team aims to avoid missing the playoffs or experiencing another one-and-done postseason for the eighth consecutive year in 2024. The offseason will be a critical period for the Steelers as they strategize and make moves to rejuvenate their competitive edge.