By Solomon 
The Steelers had a rough end to the 2024 season, falling apart when it mattered most. Now, GM Omar Khan and the front office are back to square one, trying to build a team that can actually compete for a Super Bowl. The real work begins on March 10 when free agency kicks off.
Their biggest needs? All on offense. First up, they have to get another playmaker to take some pressure off George Pickens. Pickens is incredibly talented, but he struggles when he’s the only real threat on the field. Defenses focus on him, and without another reliable option, he gets frustrated—sometimes letting that frustration show. Instead of trading him (which would be a mistake), the Steelers should bring in a veteran receiver who can mentor him and help him grow as both a player and a leader.
Then there’s the offensive line—arguably the biggest problem. The Steelers have a promising young center in Zack Frazier and have spent high draft picks on tackles recently. But the interior line, especially at guard, is still a mess. There’s been talk about moving their young tackles inside, but that would just create new problems at tackle. Bottom line: they need at least one, preferably two, solid offensive linemen this offseason.
One veteran who could help in multiple ways? DeAndre Hopkins. He’s not the dominant receiver he once was, but he still has enough left to contribute. More importantly, his experience handling pressure and expectations could be a huge help for Pickens. Even if Hopkins doesn’t light up the stat sheet, his presence alone could be valuable in shaping the young receiver’s career.
The Steelers have a lot of work to do, and free agency will be a crucial first step in fixing their offense.