The Steelers Overhaul Their Roster: What Is The Plan For 2024?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been criticized by their fans for middling seasons and not enough bold moves in the off-season. The 2024 off-season is seeming to address some of those complaints, with no move bigger than QB Russel Wilson signing with the team.

However, the past week has seen the Steelers make some other mildly surprising moves, including wide receiver Allen Robinson II being released. The move makes financial sense, as the team will save $10 million against the salary cap. Robinson, although reportedly respected by teammates and an important veteran voice in the locker room, didn’t produce much on offense despite starting all 18 games for the Steelers last season. He caught 34 passes for 280 yards in the regular season, and a mere two catches for 12 yards in the team’s defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bills in an AFC Wild Card game.

Robinson is also likely past his prime. He was a Pro-Bowler during his stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars and was a consistent producer for the Chicago Bears before his production started sliding when he was with the Los Angeles Rams. Most likely, the Steelers are looking for more talented receivers that can help Wilson adjust better to his new team, whether that comes from the draft or free agency. 

Also on Friday, the Steelers released another former Pro Bowler: cornerback Patrick Peterson. The former Arizona Cardinal standout played only one season in Pittsburgh, but like Robinson, was liked in the locker room and was a veteran presence for a team with several younger or new additions. 

The Steelers letting go of two players with long, successful careers represents a possible shift of strategy for the team.

Previously, the team brass and head coach Mike Tomlin was more reluctant to move on from veteran or long-tenured players. Now with the team having a long playoff win drought, not having played in the divisional round of the bracket since 2016, Pittsburgh might be choosing to be more aggressive and develop younger players long-term over holding onto aging veteran players. That might seem at odds with the signing of Wilson at quarterback, but it will be interesting to see if this philosophy continues to take shape at other positions on the team.