Welcome to Steelers Talk, I’m your host Jack Sper, and today we’ve got a seriously heated discussion on the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Joining me is Steelers beat reporter Allan Saunders. Allan, thanks for taking time out of the Super Bowl madness here in New Orleans to talk Steelers.

Look, it’s clear the buzz around the Steelers this off-season is reaching a boiling point. With fans screaming for change and the front office giving Mike Tomlin yet another season at the helm, the pressure on this team has never been higher. The question is: can Tomlin continue to lead this team back to glory, or has the time come for a change?

The Mike Tomlin Dilemma: A Hall of Famer Stuck in the Past?

Mike Tomlin has been the face of the Steelers for years. There’s no denying his impact on the team’s culture and his Hall of Fame-worthy legacy. But after yet another season without a playoff victory, the cracks are showing. This team hasn’t made a real postseason run in years, and with the bar set incredibly high in Pittsburgh, fan patience is starting to run out.

Allan, do you think Mike Tomlin is still the right guy for the job, or is it time for a new direction?

“I think Mike Tomlin is a great head coach,” Allan said. “I’d still call him a Hall of Famer. But the results? They haven’t been what the fans expected, and I totally understand the frustration. The Steelers made some big moves this past year, bringing in guys like Russell Wilson, Patrick Queen, and even trading for Justin Fields. They were clearly trying to win now, and they didn’t get there. The defense, which has been Tomlin’s bread and butter, especially under Cam Hayward and TJ Watt, underperformed. And that puts a real target on Tomlin’s back.”

This is the first time in a long time where you can’t just brush off a disappointing season as “a rebuilding year.” The Steelers’ defense, once their strength, was far from dominant. As Allan mentioned, the real test for Tomlin this year is whether he can get that defense back to its elite level. But even with that, the real issue may lie deeper—the offense.

Offensive Struggles: Is the Run Game Dead in Pittsburgh?

Let’s talk about the offense—arguably the most concerning part of the team. Despite being one of the most run-heavy teams in the NFL last year, the Steelers’ rushing attack was atrocious, ranking near the bottom in yards per carry and success rate. A team that prides itself on physicality couldn’t even get its ground game going. So, what’s the problem?

“The offensive line is a mess,” says Allan. “Guys like Broderick Jones are switching positions, and the run blocking just wasn’t good enough. Najee Harris, while talented, didn’t get the job done. And when you don’t have a strong run game, you put too much pressure on your quarterback and the defense.”

It’s not just the line. The Steelers’ offensive scheme felt disjointed, and the defense’s decline compounded the issue. If Pittsburgh is serious about competing for Super Bowls in the next few seasons, they need a complete overhaul of the offense. And that starts with the running game.

The Najee Harris Question: Time to Move On?

This is where it gets controversial: should the Steelers bring back Najee Harris as the #1 running back? The rumors are circulating that his time in Pittsburgh might be over, especially with the team declining his fifth-year option, which would have cost the team $7 million.

“All signs point to Harris being gone,” Allan says bluntly. “It’s going to cost the Steelers more to keep him, and at this point, Jaylen Warren may actually be the better fit for this offense. The Steelers need a back who can fit into the scheme and be a consistent contributor. I think the future of this backfield is Warren, with another addition in the draft. There are some great prospects out there.”

Is it time for the Steelers to part ways with Harris and invest in a fresh face who can bring a spark to this run game? With a crowded draft class of talented running backs, the Steelers may have no choice but to move on.

The Quarterback Controversy: Russell Wilson or Justin Fields?

And then, of course, there’s the elephant in the room: the quarterback situation. The Steelers seem torn between bringing back Russell Wilson or taking a shot at Justin Fields. Some fans say Fields is the future, while others argue Wilson still has gas left in the tank.

But what if neither of them is the answer?

“Allan, do you think bringing back either of these quarterbacks will actually move the needle for Pittsburgh?” I asked.

“It’s tough. I think they’re leaning towards Justin Fields, but he’s not a slam dunk either. Sure, there’s upside, but can you trust him with the starting job after the issues he’s had with accuracy and reading defenses?” Allan responds. “And Russell Wilson? If they bring him back, are they seriously expecting him to return to the form that made him a Super Bowl winner? This is a team that’s trying to build for the future, and I’m not sure either of these quarterbacks really takes them there.”

This Steelers team might be caught in the worst of both worlds—stuck with veterans who can’t get it done and young guys who aren’t quite ready to carry the weight. The QB question is a tough one, and if they don’t nail it in the next season or two, they could fall into mediocrity for years.

What’s Next? Can Tomlin Lead the Steelers Back to Glory?

Here’s where things get spicy. While Tomlin’s job seems safe for now, the cracks in the foundation are growing. The Steelers can’t afford another underperforming season. The defense needs to get back to being elite, the offense needs a complete overhaul, and the quarterback situation? Let’s just say, it needs fixing—fast.

As Allan points out, the Steelers have the pieces. The talent is there. But can Tomlin pull it all together, or has the time come for a change in leadership?

So, fans—is Mike Tomlin still the man for the job? Should the Steelers stick with their current QB plans? Is the running game fixable, or is it time for a complete rebuild? We want to hear your thoughts! Share this with fellow Steelers fans, and let’s get this conversation going. Will the Steelers rise to the challenge, or are they heading for a long period of mediocrity?

It’s do or die in Pittsburgh, and the pressure is on. The clock’s ticking.