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Just one day after the NFL revised the kickoff rule, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed seven all-pro returners and offensive weapons to a two-year contract, reuniting them with their former head coach……………………………..
The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent a significant portion of their offseason making significant adjustments to their offensive unit, which significantly underperformed in 2023 in comparison to the talent on their roster. This hasn’t exactly been a complete rebuild.
Pittsburgh Steelers: During An Offensive Turnaround
Even though the team’s offensive performance improved after Matt Canada left, they were still only 25th in the league in total offense and 28th in total points scored—not bad for a team that had players like Diontae, Jaylen Warren, Pat Freiermuth, George Pickens, and Najee Harris, as well as a top-10 offensive line in DVOA.
The Steelers traded away wide receiver Diontae Johnson and waived former first-round pick Kenny Pickett in favor of former Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson, bringing in former Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields as a backup. All five of those starting linemen are expected to return in 2024.
Although there haven’t been many wide receiver signings in free agency to replace Johnson—the only two signings thus far are Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins—it is anticipated that Pittsburgh will address this position in the upcoming draft, as the Steelers have an incredible track record of selecting receivers.
According to Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers are now signing a former first-round pick and seven (!!) All Pros (four on the first team and three on the second), to a two-year contract. It appears that they are still adding to their offensive line before the draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers Capitalizing On Marginal Gains Throughout All Three Phases
For an extended period, Cordarrelle Patterson was the football industry’s most feared kick returner. He was part of the All-Pro team seven times and made the Pro Bowl four times before leading the New England Patriots to victory in Super Bowl LIII in 2019.
Even at 33, he still seems to have a lot to offer on offense and special teams. In fact, many would consider him to be the most infamous kick returner in game history—one not named Devin Hester.
Patterson Cordarrelle An Actual Dual-Phase Danger
The most offensive production from Patterson came from former Atlanta Falcons head coach and current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who set a career high for both rushing and receiving yards in 2021 with 1166 total offensive yards. However, it seems like an interesting “coincidence” that Patterson signed a day after the NFL changed the kickoff rules to move the starting line for a touchback to the 30 yard line, effectively reviving kickoff returns after a 2023 slump.