Steelers' Mike Tomlin And Omar Khan Will Have Worrisome Recruiting Problem With Offensive Free Agents

There is going to be a lot of chatter regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers throughout a city that has become tired of losing in the first round of the AFC playoffs. There are plenty of reasons for the lack of recent success, but it is a tad worrisome to think that the roster as a whole might be worse entering the 2025 offseason than it was at the same point in 2024. General Manager Omar Khan is going to have a tough time filling all of the necessary holes, but there isn't a doubt that the draft can't act as the only source of new incoming talent.

The Steelers have been focused on investing on the defensive side of the ball for years and thanks to contracts handed out to guys like TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Patrick Queen, Cameron Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the unit was the highest-paid in the NFL in 2024. With that approach has come a significant lack of acknowledgment for the offensive side of the ball.

This has proven to be costly, as Pittsburgh has consistently had one of the worst offenses in football since Ben Roethlisberger retired. The clear answers to questions surrounding the unit can be related to inconsistent quarterback play. There hasn't truly been a solidified starter since 2022, which has been detrimental year-in and year-out. This fact, combined with terrible offense for nearly three years, could hinder Khan in free agency.

The Steelers currently have the 14th most cap space in 2025, per Over The Cap. While that is subject to change, it can easily be argued that out of the 13 teams ahead of them, 10 have a much better outlook in 2025 and beyond when it comes to the offensive side of the ball. Pair that with all 10 of those organizations having the talent to compete at a high level, or at least similar to the Steelers, Pittsburgh might not be a very attractive destination for offensive play-makers.

Pittsburgh's main problem moving forward is wide receiver. It's entirely possible that George Pickens ends up getting traded, or sitting out while he waits for a contract extension that may never come. Despite his talent, he has been a headache to deal with. Making this move would likely be intertwined to draft night, because it's nearly impossible for the Steelers to enter the draft without a clear number one wideout.

The problem is guys like Tee Higgins may have no interest in coming to play for a team that was 27th in passing yards, 28th in completions and 29th in attempts. That just spells frustration for guys who believe they are the best and that want the ball. It could point to why Pickens has been visibly frustrated at times. Defenders like Queen are excited to come to the Steel City because of the history in Pittsburgh, but there's not too much attractive about the offense right now.

The draft class isn't too deep at the wide receiver position, and frankly, neither is free agency. There could be guys like Christian Kirk available via trade, which is why fans might see that happen instead of a big free agent signing. The fact of the matter is that Head Coach Mike Tomlin and his staff have developed a reputation for not successfully passing the ball, and not winning in the playoffs. What offensive play-maker would want to come in over several other better options?

Steelers' Stubbornness Is Something That Must Change

This mainly revolves around Tomlin, but it's still very hard to win in today's NFL with a run-first offense. Pairing that with financially investing most money on the defensive side of the ball just isn't how teams are built to win. The Philadelphia Eagles are the outlier, but have Jalen Hurts to step up when need be. The Steelers need to settle on a quarterback, invest in the offense, and change the approach, or it could be a long next couple of years for the fan base.

Do you think that Pittsburgh will be an attractive destination for offensive free agents? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation