3 things that went right for the Steelers offense, and 3 that the new offensive coordinator must change.
Mike Tomlin is looking outside of his comfort zone — and the organization — for his new offensive coordinator.
Since Todd Haley’s hiring in 2012, the Steelers have not looked beyond the confines of 3400 South Water Street for the person in command of the offense.
The new coordinator’s task will be to improve an offense that finished 25th in yards and 27th in points in 2023. No team in the postseason had offenses ranked lower than the Steelers in those categories.
Still, the cupboard isn’t completely bare, and the Steelers have almost every starter under contract, with quarterback Mason Rudolph being the notable exception.
With that in mind, here are three things the new coordinator will discover that worked and did not work during the 2023 season:
1. The Running Game
The second year of the Najee Harris/Jaylen Warren running back combo was better than the first, as they became the fourth set of teammates in franchise history to both surpass 1,000 yards from scrimmage in a season.
Harris finished with 1,035 rushing yards and 1,205 total. Warren wasn’t far behind, finishing with 784 running yards and 1,154 from scrimmage on 61 receptions for 370 yards.
Harris surpassed 1,000 yards for the third year in a row. While that statistic has been diluted down by the 17-game schedule, Harris was still one of only 12 runners to exceed 1,000 yards this season.
He accomplished so despite having his snap count dropped to a career low 569 and 53% of the plays due to how the Steelers integrated Warren into the offense. Warren played 519 snaps, or 49% of the plays. This one-two punch joined the Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs (1,261 scrimmage yards) and David Montgomery (1,132) as one of the league’s finest.
The Steelers can keep the pair together for two more years if they activate Harris’ fifth-year option, which is another dilemma.
2. The Big Play
Remember the 2022 season, when the Steelers had only two touchdown passes outside the red zone and did not have a scoring play of more than 30 yards until the season finale?
Despite their troubles before and after Matt Canada called the plays, the Steelers discovered ways to be more explosive in 2023. They had eight touchdown throws of at least 20 yards, five of which were more than 60 yards long.
That held true whether Rudolph or Kenny Pickett threw the ball. The Steelers took more chances down the field, resulting in large gains that were lacking the previous season.
3. New faces on the offensive line
While the offensive line as a whole took too long to find its footing, the Steelers profited with the arrival of Isaac Seumalo at left guard and the inclusion of first-round choice Broderick Jones in the lineup.
Seumalo offered a steadying presence throughout the interior and rose to the position of line leader thanks to his no-nonsense manner and veteran leadership. Seumalo dealt with the bumps and bruises he received up front by playing every game for only the third of his eight NFL seasons. He proven himself worthy of the Steelers’ three-year, $24 million contract in free agency.
Jones fit in well, despite playing out of position at right tackle when he entered the team in midseason.
What didn’t.
1. Distribution of Wealth
Tomlin said one of the attributes he looks for in his new offensive coordinator is the ability to “utilize all of the talent that we have at our disposal.”
Too often, such was not the case in 2023. As good as Harris and Warren were, the Steelers may have relied too heavily on their running backs. Whether it was Canada or the Eddie Faulkner/Mike Sullivan tandem at the helm, the Steelers routinely failed to incorporate all of their players.
Consider how George Pickens lasted eight games without reaching 100 yards. Or that Diontae Johnson failed to record a single 100-yard game in 13 games. A legitimate No. 3 receiving option never developed. Allen Robinson had only 280.
In 2023, the Steelers must seek out and utilize more real pass-catching alternatives.
2. Tight end touches.
Pat Freiermuth played in only 12 games due to injuries, but he had 32 catches for 308 yards. He also did not have a touchdown reception after September.
Aside from the Faulkner/Sullivan debut in Cincinnati, when Freiermuth had nine receptions for 120 yards, he was not included in the offensive game plan. And he wasn’t being pressured for targets in his position. Connor Heyward had 34 targets (two per game), while rookie Darnell Washington had 10.
Freiermuth is set to begin the final season of his rookie contract. Unless the new coordinator decides to include him more significantly in the offense, Freiermuth will not be given an extension.
3. O-line holdovers.
Each snap should begin with a well-placed snap, which might lead to stronger quarterback play whether Pickett or Rudolph is on the field. That didn’t happen enough during Mason Cole’s second year at center.
The Steelers might choose to release Cole, who is owed a $1.5 million roster bonus, or provide competition with a draft pick. The Steelers will almost probably part ways with longtime right tackle Chuks Okorafor, whose departure would result in a $8.75 million savings.
The Steelers have been hesitant to replace left tackle Dan Moore Jr., despite the fact that Jones was selected to cover the quarterback’s blind side. Moore had another season when his subjective Pro Football Focus rating was among the lowest at his position. His grade was the lowest of his three-year career, despite the fact that he appeared to make fewer mistakes than previous seasons.
