Biggest challenge facing each of the Steelers top coaches in 2020

The talent is there. The Pittsburgh Steelers are absolutely loaded on both sides of the football. Starting lineups packed with top draft picks. There are no more excuses for the Steelers coaching staff when it comes to missing the playoffs.

After two seasons without a spot in the playoffs, the coaching staff must get their top priorities squared away so there are no more excuses for not being a contender in the AFC. Here is the biggest challenge each of the Steelers faces this season.

DC Keith Butler-Improving run defense without Javon Hargrave

The one big loss on the Steelers roster this offseason has been defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. His leaving for Philadelphia leaves a huge hole in the middle of the Steelers defensive line. It sounds like the plan is to replace Hargrave in the starting lineup with Tyson Alualu but this is not an upgrade. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler is going to be tasked with improving the one weak spot on the Steelers defense — the run defense — without his best interior defender.

OC Randy Fichtner-Find balance on offense

No one is more excited about the return of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger than offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner. In 2018, Fichtner simply gave the offense to Big Ben and let him lead the league in passing and he could just forget all about the run game. But this won’t work in 2020. There’s a lot of pressure on Fichtner to figure out a way to run the football even when things aren’t easy. Personally, I don’t know if Fichtner is willing or capable of creating a balanced attack as long as he has Roethlisberger to bail him out.

Mike Tomlin-Inspiring the team to win the games they should

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

When players talk about head coach Mike Tomlin, the term “players coach” gets tossed around a lot. Players seem to love Tomlin and his philosophy and they really love playing for him. Then maybe Tomlin needs to figure out a way to motivate these guys to win games they are supposed to win. Playing up or down to the competition has been all too prevalent during Tomlin’s tenure and this falls on him.