Big Potential Steelers-Related Headlines To Look Out For At The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

The Pittsburgh Steelers and 30 other teams have already forgotten the Super Bowl happened while the Kansas City Chiefs are still celebrating two weeks later. The annual NFL Scouting Combine is set to commence and organizations throughout the league will get a real glance at the prospects that will be available in the 2024 NFL Draft at the end of April. This is on the top of the priority list, but it's also a time when general managers are around one another and can agree on some handshake deals while also evaluating internal options for any given need.

Any number of things can happen in Indianapolis and fans of the Steelers can be certain that a lot of talk will be going on regarding the franchise. With so many needs and different avenues available to address them, General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin will have their hands full as they try to organize a championship-caliber roster. Here are the potential headlines to look out for.

1.) Steelers Address Quarterback Room And Kenny Pickett's Competition

If a trade is going to happen, Khan could work his magic in Indianapolis. In this area, there is pretty much only one true "splash" option. Russell Wilson won't be dealt because of his massive contract, so it seems as if Justin Fields would be the main possibility here. The Chicago Bears are likely to give up on the 2021 first-round pick and General Manager Ryan Poles and Khan have already worked together during the Chase Claypool trade.

This doesn't have to occur in the form of a trade, however. Mitchell Trubisky was released, but after the end-of-season play from Mason Rudolph, the Steelers could do everything in their power to avoid him hitting the open market. Kenny Pickett and Rudolph mixed in with a late-round draft pick remains the likeliest scenario, but Khan has proven he isn't doing things the old way. A shocking trade could develop, especially with Chicago reportedly wanting to get a deal done soon.

2.) Steelers Begin Restructuring Contracts

The salary cap boost to $255.4 million was awesome for Pittsburgh and several other teams in a heap of cap trouble. Khan is a wizard financially, but it still helps when the number is over $10 million higher than expected. Regardless, financial freedom is still a top priority, especially if the Steelers wish to make some kind of splash in free agency.

In 2021, Cameron Heyward's contract was restructured in late February and he could be a part of this once again. Pittsburgh could elect to extend him and spread out Heyward's current contract, which is done after the 2024 season. Alex Highsmith, Minkah Fitzpatrick and TJ Watt are three other players with the ability to help out the team's salary cap situation.

3.) Steelers Gush Over Several Prospects On Saturday

Saturday is a huge day for the NFL. Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers workout for franchises. Any possible headline will be made out of Tomlin and/or Khan seeking to have a conversation with a signal-caller or wideout. It's unlikely that the Steelers will go out of their way to take a quarterback early, but there are plenty of players who will be available in the mid-to-late rounds.

The wide receivers are even more interesting due to Pittsburgh's lack of depth. Allen Robinson II is almost certain to be released for cap reasons (another move to lookout for during the week) and Diontae Johnson is entering the final year of his contract. Calvin Austin III and George Pickens are currently the only wide receivers under contract for the 2025 season. Drafting the position has always been a specialty of the organization, and 2024 is going to give them another opportunity to target it.

4.) Steelers Show Massive Love To Several Centers

Remember the names: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Graham Barton, Zach Frazier and Sedrick Van Pran. Pittsburgh is in the market for a center following the release of Mason Cole. Could Powers-Johnson become only the second center in the franchise's history selected in the first round (Maurkice Pouncey)? An internal option or free agent could compete with whichever player Pittsburgh drafts, but they are almost certain to go in this direction at some point during the draft.

5.) Steelers Extend Tomlin

Tomlin is entering the final year of his contract and fans can expect him to get a two-year extension done at some point. It's possible that his camp waits to see what the Chiefs hand out to Andy Reid. It's unlikely that this new contract for Tomlin is only for one year, so an agreed upon deal with himself and Art Rooney II will keep the future Hall of Fame coach with the Steelers throughout at least the 2026 season.

What do you think the biggest headlines for the Steelers will be during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine? Let us know in the comments below!

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