Ranking the 5 most important players on Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 roster feat. (Russell Wilson, T.J. Watt)
Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers finished the year with a 10-7 record and made the playoffs as a wildcard team. The Steelers exceeded many people's expectations and won their last three games of the season to clinch a spot in the playoffs.
Looking to make a cinderella run, the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs after a 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the playoffs.
The Steelers made some moves this off-season to help shape up their team for the 2024 season. They got rid of all three of their quarterbacks- Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph while adding Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The team also extended head coach Mike Tomlin for another three seasons.
5 most important players on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster this season
Since Mike Tomlin took over as the Pittsburgh Steeler's head coach in 2007, the Steelers have never experienced a losing season. They've made 11 playoff appearances and have made it to the Super Bowl twice in Tomlin's tenure.
As the Steelers look to get back to the big game this season, many players will have to have a big season for the team to reach that height of success.
Here are the five most important Pittsburgh Steelers players entering the 2024 season:
#1 - T.J. Watt
Edge rusher/outside linebacker T.J. Watt has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL since being drafted by the Steelers in 2017. The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is the best player on the Steelers defense and team and is the leader of the defense.
Watt has been named to five All-Pro selections, six Pro Bowls, and has led the league in sacks in three of the last four seasons. He's been vital to Pittsburgh's defense as his pass rush presence is amongst the best in the NFL.
Watt has missed some time in his career with injuries, and the Steelers defense doesn't operate the same when he's sidelined. Staying healthy and being on the field will be critical for the defense this season for Watt and the defense.
#2 - Russell Wilson
The Pittsburgh Steelers quickly scooped up quarterback Russell Wilson once his messy relationship with the Denver Broncos ended.
Ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021-2022 season, the Steelers haven't found their long-term solution at quarterback. They drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and signed Mitch Trubisky as their backup. They also had Mason Rudolph as their backup still.
In the last two seasons, none of the three quarterbacks proved that they could be Pittsburgh's franchise quarterback, and the Steelers got rid of all three this off-season.
After Russell Wilson spent most of his career and won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, he joined the Denver Broncos in 2022 and was their QB for the last two seasons. After a messy breakup towards the end of last season, the Broncos released him, resulting in Pittsburgh signing him.
#3 - George Pickens
George Pickens is now officially Pittsburgh's No. 1 wide receiver.
While Pickens played like their number one wideout last season in his second season in the NFL, he now enters this season as the No. 1 receiver on Pitt's depth chart, with the departure of Diontae Johnson.
Pickens made a big leap in 2023 from his rookie season. He had 11 more catches, 339 more receiving yards, and one more receiving touchdown while averaging 18.1 yards per catch which led all receivers.
Pickens needs to have a big season to help whoever is playing quarterback for the Steelers, and he has the chance to have a breakout season that can see him emerge as a top-10, top-five wide receiver in the NFL.
#4 - Cameron Heyward
Interior defensive lineman Cam Heyward is entering the final season of his four-year $65 million contract.
A six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, Heyward has been one of the best and most consistent interior defensive linemen over the last five-plus seasons. At age 34, Father time is creeping around the corner for Heyward. He missed six games last season with a groin injury.
As Heyward and the team remain in contract talks for an extension, it will be important for him to show that he's still a leader on the defensive side of the ball for Pittsburgh this season.
#5 - Justin Fields
If Russell Wilson gets hurt or underperforms, the Steelers could turn to Justin Fields who is expected to serve as Wilson's backup.
The Bears made the move to trade Fields to the Steelers this off-season after replacing him with Caleb Williams. Fields joined the Steelers after they acquired Wilson.
With the Steelers acquiring both Wilson and Fields, they will have a new QB under center this season. No matter who plays quarterback this season for Pittsburgh, both guys will need to be ready as their number could be called at any time, whether the other gets hurt or benched.