Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and new head coach Mike McCarthy have their work cut out for them. If they want to take this roster from a one and done playoff team to a legitimate Super Bowl contender, serious changes must happen. The margin in the AFC is razor thin, and standing still is not an option. The front office and coaching staff must find impact players, maximize young talent, and reshape the identity of this team if they expect to compete deep into January.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan looks on as the team sets up in front of fans to workout at the annual Friday Night Lights training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Rebuilds do not always have to drag on for years, and they do not have to be ugly. The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots proved that when they met in the Super Bowl LX during the 2025 season. Both franchises made aggressive but calculated moves, retooled key positions, and trusted strong leadership to accelerate the process. That blueprint should serve as motivation in Pittsburgh, where the expectation is never just to make the playoffs, but to compete for championships.
Steelers icon Ben Roethlisberger weighed in on the situation during his podcast Footbahlin on Tuesday night, offering pointed advice to Khan and McCarthy about how to elevate the roster. Roethlisberger emphasized building through the offense instead of continuing to pour heavy resources into the defense. While Pittsburgh’s defense has consistently ranked among the highest paid units in the NFL, Roethlisberger believes it is time to shift that financial focus to the other side of the ball.
"Well, maybe it's time they build up this offense, and spend a lot of money on offense," Roethlisberger said. "Focus on the offense, and then fill your defense in."
His message was direct but it's not that easy as Pittsburgh has veterans on their defense like TJ Watt and Cam Heyward. If the Steelers want to evolve from a playoff participant into a true championship threat, they must invest more aggressively in offensive playmakers, protection, and overall firepower in the eyes of the two time Super Bowl champion.
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Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (#7) escapes the pass rush and prepares to make a throw as Pittsburgh takes on the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XL in Detroit, MI.
However, they cannot forget about the defense. It is a delicate balancing act that Roethlisberger believes the front office must manage more effectively. While he is pushing for greater investment on offense, Roethlisberger understands that championship teams are built on complementary football, not one sided spending. Roethlisberger is essentially urging Khan to spend more money on offense, arguing that balance is important, but elite offenses win in today’s NFL.
"Are you okay having one or two subpar, under .500 years in order to have something in the next three to five that can be like, 'Hey, we have a real shot here?' So personally, I’m okay being like, 'Let’s build this team, let’s get our hiccups,'" Roethlisberger said. "You can build so that in three to five years, it’s like, 'Hey, we’re one of the favorites.'"
Steelers Team Owner Art Rooney II has been abundantly clear that he does not see the point of extended rebuilds. However, Roethlisberger is sending a different message: there is a time and place for a strategic reset, and he believes that time is now.
Steelers Get Reasonable Advice From Ben Roethlisberger
His advice is simple but bold. Focus on the offense, identify the quarterback of the future, and understand that the process could be messy for a year or two.
Roethlisberger emphasizes that short-term growing pains should not scare the organization. By trusting the team’s structure, making calculated moves, and investing wisely, the Steelers can emerge stronger and positioned to compete at the highest level once again. For Pittsburgh fans, the path forward may require patience, but it carries the promise of turning a team with potential into a true Super Bowl contender.
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Retired Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks off into the distance as he warms up for a cold-weather professional football game at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
This is a pivotal moment for the Steelers, and the direction Khan and McCarthy choose now could define the franchise for years to come. If they follow Roethlisberger’s blueprint, the payoff could be a swift, intelligent rebuild that brings the glory days back to Pittsburgh without waiting a decade to do it.
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