As the Pittsburgh Steelers turn the page to the 2025 season, in many ways, the franchise is at a crossroads.
The rebuild of the offense in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era continues to underwhelm, with a significant draft investment yet to become an improved offensive line and an attempt shortcut the quarterback development process by adding veteran Russell Wilson falling flat in 2024.
Even worse, the team's defense took a step backward in 2024, despite increased investment in the form of veteran additions like Patrick Queen , DeShon Elliott , Donte Jackson and Cam Sutton.
Whether the Steelers will be able to get their offense back to a championship level before a defense with a core of Cam Heyward , Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt ages out of effectiveness is in true jeopardy, and that has the calls for Mike Tomlin's job louder than at any point in his 18-year career.
So where do the Steelers go from here?
Most of the attention so far has come on the coaching staff. Tomlin will be back. There have been no announcements, but also no movement, for the rest of the staff. One way or the other, the coaching situation should be resolved soon.
But what about on the player side of things? Two dozen Steelers players are set to hit free agency, and the team will start its draft prep in earnest later this week at the East-West Shrine Bowl . The Senior Bowl follows next week.
Let's take a look at the Steelers needs as they enter the 2025 offseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at practice on Oct. 25, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
These are the places on the roster where the Steelers absolutely need someone right away, and while there have been instances where they've filled such needs with a first-round draft pick, free agency is the much safer bet to fill these holes in the starting lineup.
Under contract: Skylar Thompson
Free agents: Russell Wilson
, Justin Fields
, Kyle Allen
We've covered 28 different external options already , but it remains overwhelmingly likely that either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields will be back as the Steelers' starting quarterback in 2025.
The questions to be answered include which one, and how much. Fields ought to be the cheaper of the two options, but what kind of commitment will the younger player be looking for. Wilson says he wants to play for several years to come , but after a rough finish to the 2024 season, might he be willing to take a prove-it type deal over one more big pay day to stay in a place he likes?
There's a lot of moving parts and intrigue, but at the end of the day, the good news is that it seems likely the Steelers will emerge with one of their two incumbent quarterbacks in the starting lineup in 2025.
The bad news? Neither of them were particularly good in 2024, and the better of them will be turning 37 years old next season. But without much in the way of realistic external upgrades, this seems to be the best of bad situation for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins on Dec. 23, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Under contract: George Pickens
, Calvin Austin III
, Roman Wilson
, Brandon Johnson
Free agents: Van Jefferson
, Mike Williams
, Ben Skowronek
, Scotty Miller
For the purposes of this exercise, let's assume that George Pickens is back in 2025, manning one of the team's outside receiver spots. Pickens is entering the final season of his contract and is likely expecting an extension and a raise. The Steelers seem unlikely to want to give it to him, setting up a potential showdown with their emotionally volatile star receiver .
Nevertheless, Pickens is critical, as it will be hard enough for the Steelers to field a wide receivers group that could be considered a strength, even with him.
The Steelers almost have to make a big splash in free agency. They'll probably first target Cincinnati star Tee Higgins , even if it's unlikely the Bengals let him get to Pittsburgh. Tampa Bay's Chris Godwin seems more realistic, and there could be trade action in the mix, as well.
Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson at least seem to have the slot position take care of in some form or fashion.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 11, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Under contract: Joey Porter Jr.
, Cory Trice Jr., Kyler McMichael, Cameron McCutcheon
Free agents: Donte Jackson, James Pierre
Donte Jackson is set to become a free agent after an up and down season with the Steelers. He played well at the outset and grabbed a career-high five interception. But the stretch run was a struggle. He injured his back against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14, and spent the rest of the season either missing time or not looking like the same player.
Jackson does bring significant long speed to the table, but he's somewhat scheme limited, and the Steelers may want to look for an upgrade at the position instead of bring him back.
Because some of these are less pressing, they can be addressed in the draft, particularly in the middle rounds, with free agents also possible to bolster the depth and keep down the amount of work Omar Khan has to do on draft day.
Yes, there's a starter's spot to figure out, but the Steelers will also want to go into the 2025 season with a backup more experienced and/or talented than former Miami Dolphins third-stringer Skylar Thompson , who is currently the only quarterback under contract.
Pittsburgh Steelers running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren at training camp on Aug. 2, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Under contract: Cordarrelle Patterson
, Aaron Shampklin
, Jonathan Ward, Evan Hull
Free Agents: Najee Harris
, Jaylen Warren
(RFA)
Najee Harris is a free agent and is almost certainly not going to be returning. Jaylen Warren can handle the bulk of the running duties, but the Steelers will want someone to be able to take some of the load off — especially with Warren dealing with multiple injuries in 2024. Cordarrelle Patterson doesn't seem a likely fit for that role, and could be a cut candidate after struggling as a kick returner in 2024.
Under contract: Patrick Queen
, Payton Wilson
, Cole Holcomb
, Mark Robinson
Free agents: Elandon Roberts
, Tyler Matakevich
The Steelers have plenty of bodies here, with Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb and Mark Robinson all under contract. But incumbent run thumper Elandon Roberts is a free agent and the Steelers don't have another player like that. Holcomb is a potential cap casualty , and that adds up to the Steelers needing one more big body at linebacker.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts hits Cleveland Browns center Ethan Pocic while Jerome Ford runs on Dec. 8, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Under contract: Pat Freiermuth
, Darnell Washington
, Connor Heyward
Free agents: MyCole Pruitt
, Matt Sokol
Veteran MyCole Pruitt played 271 snaps of offense for the Steelers in 2024, while battling a persistent knee injury that repeatedly kept him off the field. He was targeted in the passing game just 10 times. Pruitt is not as good of a blocker as No. 2 tight end Darnell Washington. It begs the question why Pruitt was used as much as he was in 2024, but it certainly does not seem likely he'll be back. A player with a better chance to serve as a true backup to Pat Freiermuth would probably be a better use of this roster spot.
Under contract: Broderick Jones
, Troy Fautanu
, Dylan Cook
, Doug Nester
Free agents: Dan Moore Jr.
, Calvin Anderson
Dan Moore Jr. will almost certainly not be back, and while Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones appear to be set to assume the starting roles in some form or fashion, the Steelers will likely want to bring someone in to push the two youngsters and added depth to the position.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely stiff-arms Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cam Sutton on Jan. 11, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Under contract: Beanie Bishop, D'Shawn JamisonFree agent: Cam Sutton
Cam Sutton is entering free agency, and didn't exactly cover himself in glory down the stretch run. The Steelers do have Beanie Bishop back for a second season, but it was clear they were reluctant to hand the undersized WVU product certain types of matchups. At least one slot defender needs to be on the draft bingo card for Khan this offseason.
Even if Pickens returns, and the Steelers manage to land another starter in free agency, they'll want some kind of backup plan for if Pickens gets injured, and probably also will want someone like Ben Skowronek back to contribute on special teams.
Ideally, all of those other spots would be filled by the time the NFL descends on Green Bay for the 2025 NFL Draft , and Khan can use his entire slate of draft selections to build for the future, instead of plugging holes in the lineup.
Don't hold your breath, though. That's a lot of work to do.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward tackles Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry on Jan. 11, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Much the like offensive line before the Steelers pumped four draft picks over the last two classes into that position, the Steelers defensive line has been neglected for too long. They've used three picks in the last four draft classes on mid-tier talent, taking Keeanu Benton in the second round, DeMarvin Leal in the third round and Isaiahh Loudermilk in the fifth. But defensive tackle is a premium position, and at some point, the Steelers are going to have to take a big swing here if they hope of find an eventual replacement for Cam Heyward. In an ideal world, the first-round pick goes here.
Assuming that the starter is Wilson or Fields, and that the backup is another veteran type, the Steelers could really use a developmental quarterback prospect — something they haven't carried on their roster since Mason Rudolph was young. Late-round quarterbacks rarely turn into something special, and for every Tom Brady or Brock Purdy there are probably two dozen washouts, but it's still worth a shot.
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 11, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Isaac Seumalo is entering the final season of his contract with the Steelers and will be turning 32 next year. The end is definitely within sight for the surly Hawaiian lineman, and the Steelers would to well to look for a potential replacement while the lone veteran on their offensive line is still around.
Minkah Fitzpatrick did not have a great season in 2024, and while DeShon Elliott did, he has just one season remaining on his contract. Elliott could be extended, but a finding a potential future starter at free safety could give the Steelers an insurance policy if the downturn from Fitzpatrick turns into a multi-year affair. With the right player, they could check this box in one shot along with the slot cornerback option, as well.
The Steelers need immediate starting help at quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback, and need ready-to-play depth or rotational options at running back, wide receiver, tight end, tackle and slot cornerback.
Finally, they need to take some shots at future talent at defensive tackle, guard, safety and quarterback.
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