Cost cutting. Two words that take a second to write, and a second to make or break someone’s career. When the Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2024 season, the front office was as cautious as one could get after ending the 2023 season with a dilapidated 10-7 record. Super Bowl-winning QB Russell Wilson was brought in overnight on a one-year, $1.21 million deal, veteran linebacker Preston Smith was acquired in a trade with the Green Bay Packers, Breiden Fehoko came in, and so did Cameron Johnston, and Patrick Queen among others. The theme was obvious—“Here we go… Pittsburgh’s going to the Super Bowl!” 

The result? Not only a 10-7 repeat, but also Wilson losing the first six games of the season owing to a calf injury and ultimately finishing with 2,482 yards (22nd in the league), 16 touchdowns (22nd), with five interceptions (tied-72nd), and a 51.3 QBR (22nd). The rest of the team? Meh. Smith seemed like the perfect fit on paper, but the ground reality hinted to several shortfalls. We’re talking about just two sacks in eight games, 13 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery.

Now add to that his healthy scratch status in the team’s Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and the 28-14 defeat vs Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, and the writing was already on the wall for his future. And that’s exactly what happened…

On February 14, the Pittsburgh Steelers gave a final verdict in just six words. “We have released LB Preston Smith. @BordasLaw,” a tweet read. They also tagged Bordas & Bordas, the reported law and talent agency, that manages the players and their financial deals. Notably, with this $52 million veteran outside linebacker’s exit, the team will now clear $13.4 million in 2025 cap space and $14.1 million in 2026, and have also given Smith an early start at free agency set to begin on March 12. However, it’s not like the community didn’t already know Mike Tomlin would pull off such a move…

Used as a reserve behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith and backup Nick Herbig in the team’s edge rusher rotation—despite being a starter with the Packers—Smith was on the field for just 30 percent of the Steelers’ defensive snaps after the trade compared to 54 percent of the Packers’ defensive snaps.

Interestingly, this comes after the veteran linebacker had publicly aired his dissatisfaction with his role in the Packers’ 3-4 system. “I didn’t feel like I was being useful in the system. It wasn’t catering to my play style. Moving forward, I wasn’t surprised when I got the call.” So, as expected, after the Steelers call, he had his hopes high…

“I got what I asked for, and I’m in a great place with some great teammates. I’m excited for the new start. It’s just what I’ve been playing in the last nine years of my career until this past season. It’s what I feel comfortable playing in, what I got used to playing in. … Just being back in the system is like riding your favorite bike again,” he had said.

And honestly, for a while it did feel like the Steelers would be on an upward trajectory soon, as theorized by NFL.com’s Nick Shook: “As Herbig nears a potential return, his new teammate, Smith, is attempting to fit into the group. When they’re all healthy, the AFC North-leading Steelers will boast one of the deepest edge-rushing groups in the NFL.”

Well, Preston’s brand new bike seems to have failed.

Having said that, not just Smith, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach seems to have made tough decisions for his coaching staff as well.

Mike Tomlin made double firings!

“Certainly, there’s change that comes with this time of year. Certainly, there’s change that comes when you don’t have desired outcome, and so those are just the realities of the business.” Mike Tomlin wrapped up his 2024 season with these remarks, hinting that he would be making some tough moves this offseason. And he is already on it!

According to the reports, Mike Tomlin and his Steelers have cut ties with DB coach Grady Brown and linebackers coach Aaron Curry. This news perplexed many, and the reason was their good role performance-wise. Neither was considered a weak link. In fact, Curry helped reshape the linebacker unit, coaching Patrick Queen to a Pro Bowl and guiding rookie Payton Wilson.

Brown, on the other hand, turned Joey Porter Jr. into a shutdown corner—holding quarterbacks to just a 16.5 passer rating when targeting him, the second-best in the league. So why let them go? Well, according to Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo, this was all Mike Tomlin’s call. He pointed to blown coverages late in the season, mistakes that kept happening even in crucial games, especially against the Colts and Cowboys. Hence, Tomlin clearly felt it was time for a change!