3 immediate moves Mike Tomlin should make for Steelers to become Super Bowl contenders in 2025

Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers are one-and-done in the playoffs again. It's a tale as old as time for the iconic head coach and the Steelers have now lost their last five postseason games, with their last playoff win coming against the Miami Dolphins in January 2017.

The Steelers were solid for much of the campaign, but fell hard, losing their last four games against strong opponents. They took this poor form into the postseason where they were dispatched by the Baltimore Ravens by a 28-14 score. This latest disappointment has tested the fanbase's patience for their long-term head coach, with the standard not being an acceptable standard.

Mike Tomlin needs to right what went wrong for the Steelers at the end of the season, and here's what they need to do to potentially contend for the Super Bowl next season.

3 moves Mike Tomlin could make to turn Pittsburgh Steelers into Super Bowl contenders

#1. Resolve the quarterback question

The Pittsburgh Steelers started the season with two QB1s in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Both players have their strengths, and that was fully displayed in 2024.

Fields started the first six games due to Wilson being injured. The former Chicago Bears starter went 4-2 and looked like the real deal in Pittsburgh. However, he was promptly benched as soon as Wilson regained his fitness. Wilson shone initially but ended the season with a whimper.

With both Fields and Wilson set to hit free agency, the Steelers need to answer the QB question and get it right. It seems likely one will stay and the other walk, and that could be the best situation for the team.

A more established pecking order with a rookie backup could be a more logical way to go forward, with a playbook based around the QB1's strengths. It's important that whoever starts at QB is given complete backing to play the role, and minimizing the pressure on what is already a high-stakes position could help.

#2. Draft Tre Harris

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a mid to late-first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. They need extra receiver help to free up George Pickens, and they should prioritize getting a receiver in the draft.

Ole Miss pass catcher Tre Harris should be available late in the first round, and he'd be solid for the Steelers. Harris has excellent size to operate as an outside wide receiver.

Furthermore, his silky route running and versatility will make him a great fit for Arthur Smith's offense. The Steelers would get a great building block by drafting him with their first-round pick.

#3. Draft a lockdown cornerback

Bleacher Report ranks cornerback as the Steelers' second-biggest weakness entering the offseason. The consensus is that Pittsburgh will look to bring Donte Jackson back, but aside from him and the talented Joey Porter Jr., they could use some quality depth.

Signing a lockdown cornerback via free agency may be too costly for a team that looks set to pay one of Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, and while the team has $52 million in cap space (via Over The Cap), the Steelers will likely look to the NFL draft.

Shavon Revel of the East Carolina Pirates or Jahdae Barron of the Texas Longhorns should be available in the second round of the upcoming draft. Either player would be a great addition for the franchise to bolster its CB depth.