Fellow TribLive columnist Kevin Gorman joins me for our last wrap up of Mike Tomlin’s weekly press conferences in 2019.

Given that the Steelers have been eliminated short of the playoffs for a second straight year, the next time we do this may be August in Latrobe, and the “Hard Knocks” cameras could film us.

Don’t laugh. The HBO all-access training camp show may be descending on Saint Vincent College. We toss around that idea to start this podcast.

Kevin and I may not even talk during the NFL Draft weekend in April because the Steelers hardly have any picks in the first 100. We discuss that problem.

We also debate how much of the roster may change between now and then. And how much of the offense will be fixed by Ben Roethlisberger’s return at quarterback.

Then there are the run-game deficiencies on defense. Were they exposed during the team’s three game losing streak at the end of the season? If so, there needs to be a way to get them repaired in 2020.

James Conner’s future is a hot topic, too. When he’s healthy, he’s really good. But as Tomlin pointed out, he’s not healthy enough. So we present some theories as to what the Steelers could do at the running back position. We also probe how Conner may change his running style.

The aging offensive line is a problem as well. So is the backup quarterback position. So is tight end.

Forgetting all that, the Steelers should go 16-0 next fall.

Happy New Year! Put that in your script, Liev Schreiber!

And listen to this podcast.

Listen: Tim Benz and Kevin Gorman discuss Mike Tomlin’s last press conference of the season and what the Steelers could look like next year

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