In a press conference held on Monday, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II acknowledged the growing sense of urgency within the organization to put an end to their playoff drought. With their last playoff victory dating back to 2016, Rooney expressed the need for the team to secure wins and take the necessary steps towards success.

Rooney made it clear that he fully supports head coach Mike Tomlin as the leader for the team's future progress. Rooney emphasized that the players still respond to Tomlin, highlighting his ability to command the attention of the young squad and keep them motivated throughout the season. Rooney emphasized that if he didn't have confidence in Tomlin's ability to lead the team to a championship, a change would have been made.

During the end-of-season news conference, Coach Tomlin mentioned his expectations of working out a contract extension in the upcoming offseason, but no timeline was provided by Rooney regarding the negotiations.

Rooney expressed empathy towards the restlessness of everyone in the organization, stating that they are eager to elevate the team beyond just making the playoffs. He emphasized the necessity of improvements in quarterback play as crucial for the team's progress. While Rooney voiced his support for 2022 first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett, he acknowledged that Pickett needs to step up his game in the 2024 season.

Pickett's statistics reflected a regression in his second season, marred by injuries and the midseason firing of offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Pickett's completion percentage dropped from 63% to 62%, and his QBR slid from 53.6 to 38.4. He also threw six touchdowns and four interceptions in 2023.

However, during the final four games with longtime backup Mason Rudolph at quarterback, the Steelers showcased the potential of an offense with steady quarterback play, averaging 24.5 points per game, exceeding their season average of 17.9. Rooney expressed a desire to bring Rudolph back into the fold this offseason, recognizing the opportunity Rudolph demonstrated with the current personnel on offense.

Rooney mentioned that the Steelers are in the process of hiring their next offensive coordinator, with three candidates already interviewed: former Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, and current Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson. The team's top priority for the new coordinator will be to address the quarterback situation and work with the current roster to achieve success.

Rooney emphasized the importance of finding a coordinator who can work with the existing roster and its skill sets, while implementing an offensive strategy that aligns with the team's vision for the Steeler offense.

As the Steelers look ahead to the offseason, they are focused on making the necessary changes to end their playoff drought and restore the team's championship aspirations. The pressure is on to find effective quarterback play and utilize the roster's potential under the guidance of Coach Tomlin and the new offensive coordinator.