5 ways the Steelers can build around Kenny Pickett, return to postseason in 2023

The easiest way for the Pittsburgh Steelers to return to the playoffs in 2023 is to take an approach coach Mike Tomlin didn’t use this season.

He needs to have his established starting quarterback under center from the first snap of the opener.

He didn’t take that route with Kenny Pickett last season, and it’s understandable why he resisted going with a rookie from the outset. He thought Mitch Trubisky could bridge the gap until Pickett and the offense could grow.

As evidenced by a slow start that mushroomed into a 2-6 record at the break, that obviously didn’t work out so well.

Now that Pickett is the clear-cut No. 1 quarterback heading into the offseason, the Steelers and Tomlin can focus on other areas of improvement if they hope to build on that 7-2 finish and 9-8 regular-season record.

Here are a few:

1. Open up the playbook

With a full offseason to digest the plan, Pickett can gain more comfortability in the offense no matter the identity of the offensive coordinator. If Matt Canada isn’t retained, it will incumbent on the Steelers to have Pickett and the new OC in lockstep on devising a system that gives him more creativity.

Pickett showed he can execute last-minute drives. He now needs to show he can carry the offense for a full four quarters. The Steelers can still strike a balance while committing to a running game that excelled in the second half last season and letting Pickett take more chances downfield. It helped them produce their highest point total in a win when they beat Cleveland, 28-14, in the finale.

Now, it’s time to take the next step and let Pickett come into his own as a passer.

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2. Fill the trenches in the draft

The Steelers have ignored the offensive and defensive lines in the early rounds of the draft for far too long.

The last defensive lineman drafted in the first or second round was Stephon Tuitt in 2014. The last offensive lineman was David DeCastro in 2012. The Steelers also took tackle Mike Adams in the second round that year.

By holding the first pick of the second round, the Steelers essentially have two first-rounders at their disposal. They also have three of the top 50 picks, and two of those selections should go to getting younger and stronger on the lines.

As much as the offensive line improved throughout the season, the Steelers could benefit from adding a left tackle early in the draft. Same with the defensive line, where the Steelers’ best player, Cameron Heyward, turns 34 in May.

3. Add depth outside

Alex Highsmith came into his own as a pass rusher and finished sixth in the NFL with 14.5 sacks. Combined with T.J. Watt, the Steelers have one of the best pass-rushing duos in the NFL when everyone is healthy.

That is the qualifier:when healthy. Watt missed seven games in the first half, and the Steelers were 1-6 in his absence. If he’s that valuable to the defense, the Steelers need to have a better backup plan when he’s not available.

Tomlin lost all confidence in Malik Reed by the end of the season and had Watt and Highsmith take almost every defensive snap down the stretch. The Steelers should seek a veteran in free agency who would be comfortable with his role in the Steelers defense — unlike Melvin Ingram in 2021.

4. Solidify the cornerback spots

Cameron Sutton will hit free agency for the second time in his career. Unlike that first foray, Sutton is an established starter who could command a deal outside the Steelers’ price range. Remove him from the equation, and that leaves Levi Wallace, Ahkello Witherspoon, William Jackson and James Pierre as options.

Wallace showed he is a capable No. 2. The Steelers lost faith in Witherspoon at midseason and kept Jackson on injured reserve after acquiring him. Pierre, soon to be a restricted free agent, held his own in situational packages.

The old Steelers scouting regime didn’t have a good history with drafting cornerbacks. Perhaps new assistant general manager Andy Weidl will fare better and use one of those three top-50 picks to find a shutdown corner.

5. Replenish inside linebacker

It’s possible the Steelers could be without all three experienced inside linebackers next season. Devin Bush and Robert Spillane are unrestricted free agents, and Myles Jack carries an $8 million salary and $11.25 million cap hit next season.

Spillane became the workhorse inside linebacker down the stretch while Jack dealt with a groin injury, and Bush became an afterthought. Spillane wants to be a full-time starter and showed he can be a force in stopping the run. Perhaps the Steelers can coax him into staying.

Mark Robinson, who came on late in his rookie season, remains a work in progress. The Steelers need more.

If the Steelers are players in free agency, expect them to search for an affordable option to plug into the middle of the defense.