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The Pittsburgh Steelers had a rough end to their season. They lost five games in a row, which was a bummer because they were doing well before that. Now, almost everyone on the team is worried about losing their job, except for the head coach, Mike Tomlin. He’s been around for 18 seasons without a single losing record, so he’s pretty safe.
Pittsburgh’s path forward is murky.
They aren’t bad enough to snag top draft picks but not good enough to compete with the big teams in the AFC. The quarterback situation is a headache since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Omar Khan and the front office are still trying to find the right guy. Russell Wilson’s future with the team is uncertain, and finding a long-term quarterback solution seems unlikely in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Steelers’ offense feels stuck as long as the quarterback situation remains unstable. Beyond just the QB issue, there’s a need for a fresh look at their offensive strategy. Arthur Smith’s game plan didn’t work out in their 28-14 Wild Card loss to Baltimore. The roster also needs attention. Khan might be secure as GM, but with a weak running game and unreliable pass-catchers, it’s no surprise Wilson struggled late in the season.
Fans were hoping for a new wide receiver before the trade deadline. Davante Adams was a popular choice but ended up joining Aaron Rodgers in New York. Next season, who knows? Anything could happen, especially if the Jets continue to fall apart.
Davante Adams’ time in New York might be short-lived, especially if Rodgers retires. If he leaves, Adams will likely have plenty of options among contending teams at a fair price. Although he’s showing signs of aging, he’s still one of the most skilled and reliable wide receivers out there.
When asked about playing for Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh, Adams was surprisingly open. He said he’d be “100 PERCENT” interested, expressing mutual respect for Tomlin.
Would Davante Adams play for Mike Tomlin???
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) January 14, 2025
Davante: "100 PERCENT… I've had nothing but respect for him and it's been mutual." 🤝@heykayadams @tae15adams @CoachTomlin @steelers pic.twitter.com/KJXsLJJpX5
Adams’ agent might be pulling their hair out over his openness, as most free agents keep quiet about where they want to go. But for Adams, winning seems more important than money now. The Steelers have a history of regular-season success.
This year, Pittsburgh considered Adams but ended up with Mike Williams from the Jets instead. Williams caught nine passes in nine weeks, which isn’t great. The Steelers need better receivers alongside George Pickens, whose inconsistent performance could benefit from having a veteran like Adams around.
However, Pittsburgh still has to sort out their quarterback situation — having great receivers is pointless if there’s no one to throw the ball. Signing Adams would boost their chances immediately, though fans shouldn’t get too excited given his age. While not a long-term fix, Adams could serve as both mentor and temporary solution for the Steelers.