{"id":80735,"date":"2024-01-31T04:42:03","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T04:42:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nflklinh.playsetmusic.com\/?p=80735"},"modified":"2024-01-31T04:42:03","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T04:42:03","slug":"steelers-mike-tomlin-showing-lots-of-interest-in-fixing-teams-worst-position-kieu-linh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playsetmusic.com\/steelers-mike-tomlin-showing-lots-of-interest-in-fixing-teams-worst-position-kieu-linh\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Showing Lots Of Interest In Fixing Team’s Worst Position"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The\u00a0Pittsburgh Steelers\u00a0are entering the 2024 offseason with a ton of holes all over the roster. In fact, Steeler Nation has accused the team of repeatedly neglecting one of them in particular. In the initial stages of the offseason, the Steelers look like they are already taking steps to end their constant neglect and fix their ongoing hole once and for all. There is still a lot of time to go before the team can take action, but this already looks like a great start.<\/p>\n

\"Steelers'<\/p>\n

Steelers Look To Finally Fix Big Hole<\/h3>\n

During Senior Bowl practices,\u00a0Mike Tomlin\u00a0spent some time with Jackson Powers-Johnson\u00a0of the Oregon Ducks, who is one of the top center prospects in the 2024 draft class. After practice, Tomlin exchanged a handshake with Powers-Johnson after a supposedly intriguing practice. Many mock drafts have Powers-Johnson going in the second round, although some of the mocks have him being\u00a0drafted before Pittsburgh’s second-round pick.<\/p>\n

It also helps that Isaac Williams, the Steelers’ assistant offensive line coach, will be\u00a0coaching the offensive line\u00a0for the American team at the Senior Bowl. While he would be able to help out in practice, he unfortunately will not coach Powers-Johnson during the game, as he will play for the National team. Williams should still get a good look at Powers-Johnson during practices, and Tomlin is already getting his own look at the young center prospect.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Why Should The Steelers Focus On Powers-Johnson?<\/h3>\n

Ever since Maurkice Pouncey\u00a0retired, the Steelers have struggled to find his replacement. In the 2021 NFL Draft, they had an elite center prospect in Creed Humphrey fall into their laps in the second round, but they passed on him. Instead, they drafted Kendrick Green\u00a0and expected him to transition from guard to center immediately. Now, Humphrey is the key piece of the Kansas City Chiefs offense that has suddenly turned into a quality rushing unit.<\/p>\n

In 2022, the Steelers had another chance to draft a high-end center prospect, but they chose to sign Mason Cole\u00a0instead. Cole had a decent first season, but his production fell off of a cliff in 2023. Cole was not a highly touted lineman in the first place, and the attempt for a cheap, quick fix has backfired on the Steelers.\u00a0That drop in production\u00a0is what made Tomlin focus on Powers-Johnson in the first place.<\/p>\n

If the Steelers could land Powers-Johnson, that could help boost the offense even further. The run game was already dominant, and adding a\u00a0run-first offensive coordinator\u00a0could help with that. Getting that extra push right in the middle could just open up more space for Pittsburgh’s elite running back tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.<\/p>\n

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Mike Tomlin is on the sidelines early in the day. pic.twitter.com\/t27Z9JCdsS<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) January 30, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n