Mike Tomlin explains Steelers needs after free agency

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin broke down what the team needs after and active free agency period. On Monday, Tomlin told reporters that since they added multiple players to the roster this offseason they are not in a position to go after a certain area before the regular season kicks off in September.

“I’m excited about the draft because of just the quality work that we’ve been able to get done in free agency as a means by which we develop our football team for 2024,” Tomlin said, per the Steelers’ official website. “We’ve been very active in free agency, and that makes you really comfortable as we lean in on draft weekend. You know we’ve addressed a lot of needs and you don’t feel overly thirsty in any particular area, and I just think that’s a good feeling as you go into the weekend.”

During the offseason, the Steelers added quarterback Russell Wilson, linebacker Patrick Queen, running back Cordarrelle Patterson, wide receiver Van Jefferson and safety DeShon Elliott in free agency. They also traded for quarterback Justin Fields and cornerback Donte Jackson while having four picks in the first three rounds of the draft.

Mike Tomlin has high expectations for the Steelers’ receivers

Tomlin also talked about the wide receiver the team has heading into the 2024 season. “I’m comfortable with the trajectory of that room,” Tomlin said. “There’s a lot of talent available to us. And a lot of those guys participate. If you look at the kid from the Rams (Puka Nacua) was really significant this year and think maybe it was a fifth-round pick. That’s what’s going on at that position. So, it makes us all comfortable, not just us, but us as a collective, the National Football League.

“And certainly we’re really comfortable with the trajectory of George Pickens in terms of what he’s going to be able to provide us as a player, not only in terms of playmaking, but what he’s experienced within the room and within this organization.”

The Steelers are coming off a 2023 season where they finished with a 10-7 record and lost in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Since Tomlin became head coach in 2007, the Steelers have never had a losing season. However, they haven’t reached the Super Bowl since 2010 when they lost to the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers are hoping the moves they made in the offseason will get them back in the Super Bowl picture at the end of the 2024 season.