Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 Season Preview
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been notoriously floating just at or above .500 for the last handful of years. It seems as though no matter how bad the quarterback play or the offense is as a whole, Mike Tomlin and his defenses find a way to win at least 9 games. They will have to truly pull off a miracle in 2025 to reach that 9-win mark. Their offense will likely be around as productive as they were in 2024, while their defense may take a slight step back due to departures and age regression.
Trades: Pittsburgh started an offseason of big transactions by trading a 2025 2nd round pick in exchange for WR DK Metcalf and signing him to a 4-year extension. The NFL world had a limited time to dream of a DK Metcalf and George Pickens WR duo as they shipped Pickens to Dallas shortly after. The other big Steelers’ trade came in the summer as they made a move that left many scratching their heads. The Steelers sent All-Pro SAF Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 5th rounder to the Dolphins in exchange for CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 7th rounder. The Steelers already have some big names in their cornerback room, leaving many to wonder if Ramsey makes the switch to safety at this stage in his career. Jonnu Smith also joins a crowded position group with Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Smith will be 30 by the time the season rolls around, and Pittsburgh is hoping his 2024 campaign was not a flash in the pan.
Departures: The Steelers lost plenty of valuable talent in free agency. The role players on both sides of the ball will look different in 2025. They lost their entire QB room of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen. However, it could be argued that the change at the position is for the best. RB Najee Harris, WR Van Jefferson, WR Mike Williams, OT Dan Moore, and IOL James Daniels were the offensive contributors that will not be returning to the team next season. On the defensive side of the ball they lost EDGE Preston Smith, IDL Larry Ogunjobi, LB Elandon Roberts, CBs Donte Jackson and Cam Sutton, and SAF Damontae Kazee.
Additions: After all the big trades that Pittsburgh made, they still managed to make a splash in free agency by signing QB Aaron Rodgers to a one-year contract. Other notable additions include RB Kenneth Gainwell, IDL Malik Harrison, and CB Darius Slay.
Draft Selections: The Steelers had one of the better stories on Day 1 of the draft by selecting Oregon DL Derrick Harmon in the 1st round. They took Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson in the 3rd to fill the roster spot left by Najee Harris. In the 4th, they took Ohio State EDGE Jack Sawyer, who could see some action in a rotational capacity as a rookie. In the later rounds, they selected Ohio State QB Will Howard. Howard will not get any reps as the starter if Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, but he can gain some valuable experience as a backup.
Season Predictions: The Steelers start the season on the road to face Aaron Rodgers’ former team in the New York Jets before having their home opener against the Seahawks. Week 3 sees them in Seattle against the Seahawks and they conclude September at home against the Vikings. The Steelers go 2-2 to start the year.
Pittsburgh has an early bye in Week 5. They come out of the break by hosting the Browns, traveling to Cincinnati to play the Bengals on Thursday Night Football, and come back home to host Aaron Rodgers’ other former team as the Packers come to town. The Steelers go 1-2 in October.
November starts at home against the Colts followed by a trip out west to play the Chargers on Sunday Night Football, hosting the Bengals, playing the Bears in Chicago, and taking on the Bills at home to end the stretch. Pittsburgh goes 3-2 in November.
The final stretch gets rocky for the Steelers. They play the Ravens on the road, host the Dolphins on Monday Night Football, play the Lions in Detroit, the Browns in Cleveland, and host the Ravens to end the season. The Steelers will go 2-3 in this final stretch.
Final Thoughts: I have the Pittsburgh Steelers finishing the season with a record of 8-9, effectively ending Mike Tomlin’s winning season streak. The roster has too many flaws and has been fighting tooth and nail to achieve a winning record the last few seasons. This may be enough for the front office to cave in and fall fully into a rebuild. With an aging Aaron Rodgers and fresh off giving TJ Watt a historic extension, they may be less inclined to do so.
