The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for having one of the NFL’s most stable, stellar leadership situations, from general manager moves to coaching philosophies.
But what GM Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and other team officials have done in the 2025 offseason remains a head-scratcher.
From another shakeup at quarterback with no reliable veteran or rookie solution (yet) to an essential swap of speedy, big wide receivers on the depth chart, the Steelers’ roster additions and subtractions haven’t inspired. It’s been shaky to the point they may be headed to their first sub-.500 season after 18 consecutive non-losing years under Mike Tomlin.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Here’s breaking down a potential personnel breakdown:
MORE: Every NFL team’s biggest remaining offseason need
Steelers 2025 offseason at a glance
Key additions:
- WR DK Metcalf
- CB Darius Slay
- DT Derrick Harmon
- RB Kaleb Johnson
- QB Mason Rudolph
- CB Brandin Echols
- EDGE Jack Sawyer
- RB Kenneth Gainwell
- WR Robert Woods
- QB Will Howard
- LB Malik Harrison
- QB Skylar Thompson
- TE Donald Parham Jr.
Key losses:
- WR George Pickens
- QB Russell Wilson
- QB Justin Fields
- RB Najee Harris
- EDGE Preston Smith
- DT Montravius Adams
- OT Dan Moore Jr.
- G/C James Daniels
- DT Larry Ogunjobi
- CB Donte Jackson
- LB Elandon Roberts
- WR Mike Williams
- WR Van Jefferson
- G/C Nate Herbig
- QB Kyle Allen
Quarterback
The Steelers went 10-7 with Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky and Rudolph in 2023. After the same result with the unique, more athletic combination of Wilson and Fields, they didn’t improve their record or subsequent one-and-done wild-card playoff fate.
So they didn’t keep either Russell Wilson (Giants) or Justin Fields (Jets), letting them to walk to be bridges for the two New York teams. Thompson is an absolute flyer and Will Howard is a developmental rookie. For now, they’re going back to the re-signed Rudolph to start, with no one quite sure if they will still end up with Aaron Rodgers.
MORE: Amari Cooper, Aaron Rodgers highlight best free agents available
Rodgers and the Steelers not being together already is questionable, even though Rodgers has worked out on the side with Metcalf. The Steelers may be just giving Rodgers the extra time off before signing him, but there should already be concern the match hasn’t become official with OTAs and minicamp about to start.
Grade: F
Running back
It was time to move on from the first-rounder Najee Harris, with Jaylen Warren becoming the key factor in the backfield. Drafting Kaleb Johnson to replace Harris’s early-down power and getting Gainwell for depth made sense.
Grade: B
Wide receiver
The Steelers didn’t really upgrade, given DK Metcalf profiles as a speedy deep threat with more experience and a lot more production behind him. He replaces George Pickens now, but the team is still rather thin at wideout beyond the new go-to guy.
Grade: B
MORE GEORGE PICKENS:
Offensive line
Moving on from former starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. was long overdue, but there are still questions up front.
Grade: C
Tight end
The Steelers took a shot on former Charger Donald Parham, but he’s still buried on the depth chart.
Grade: C
Defensive line
Getting Derrick Harmon to start right away and wreak havoc on the same three-man front as ageless Cameron Heyward was their best overall move.
Grade: A
Edge rusher
Jack Sawyer can have an impact in time to boost their depth, but there will be limited returns at first. Grade: C
Linebacker
Former Raven Malik Harrison adds some needed depth:
Grade: B
Cornerback
They got an aging Darius Slay and a meh Brandin Echols to be their new respective starters outside opposite Joey Porter Jr. and in the nickel with Donte Jackson gone.
Grade: B
Steelers 2025 offseason “Final” grade
Pittsburgh could be pushed down to a “D”, below-average, with no quarterback moves to upgrade the team. But here’s holding out hope the Steelers can still work it out well with Rodgers.
Still, the Steelers are the clear third team in the AFC North, more in line with the average teams in the conference than playoff contenders, a true rarity in the Tomlin era.
Grade: C
Read the full article here
