The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 season came to an end with a disappointing loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round. While the team showed flashes of brilliance throughout the year, their injuries and lack of depth on offense ultimately caught up with them.
As Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pointed out, the Steelers’ offense was decimated by injuries, particularly at the wide receiver position. The team lost several key players, including Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, for extended periods of time, which forced them to rely on unproven and inexperienced players.
The lack of depth on offense was a major concern for the Steelers all season long. The team struggled to find consistency and rhythm, particularly in the red zone, where they ranked near the bottom of the league in scoring efficiency.
Despite these challenges, the Steelers still managed to win 10 games and make the playoffs. However, their inability to overcome their injuries and lack of depth ultimately proved to be their downfall.
As Dulac noted, the Steelers’ offense was “a mess” against the Ravens, with quarterback Kenny Pickett struggling to find open receivers and the team’s running game being shut down.
The Steelers’ loss to the Ravens marked the end of an era for the team, as several key players, including defensive stalwarts Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt, are set to become free agents this offseason.
While the Steelers have a number of talented young players on their roster, including Pickett, wide receiver Calvin Austin, and linebacker Mark Robinson, the team still has a number of holes to fill on both sides of the ball.
As Dulac pointed out, the Steelers’ offseason priorities should include finding a way to upgrade their offense, particularly at the wide receiver position, and adding depth to their defensive line.
The Steelers have a number of options available to them in free agency and the draft, and it will be interesting to see how they choose to address their needs.
One thing is certain, however: the Steelers’ injuries and lack of depth on offense finally caught up with them in 2024. It’s up to the team’s front office to make the necessary moves to ensure that it doesn’t happen again in 2025.
