Have the Steelers done enough to correct their mistakes from last season?

After a brutal collapse to end the 2024 season—five straight losses, a missed division title, and a humbling playoff exit at the hands of Baltimore—the Pittsburgh Steelers entered the offseason with urgency and intent. Head coach Mike Tomlin promised change, and change came fast: a new quarterback, a revamped secondary, and bold trades signaling a shift in offensive philosophy.

Those changes have one promise in mind: to win in the postseason. While some teams go from champions to chumps in one season, the Steelers have maintained the status quo, but it hasn’t been enough. The question remains, with so many moving parts and only half of last year’s starters returning: have the Steelers truly addressed the flaws that derailed last year’s campaign? Or are they simply rearranging the pieces without solving the puzzle?

Quarterback Room

Quarterback turnover has become a familiar theme in Pittsburgh since Ben Roethlisberger hung up his cleats after the 2021 season—and 2025 is no exception. The Steelers will once again roll into Week 1 with a new face under center, but this time it’s a future Hall of Famer: four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.

With retirement looming and a chip firmly planted on his shoulder, Rodgers arrives with one goal—lead a loaded roster deep into January.

But the Steelers didn’t hedge their entire season on Rodgers alone. They brought back Mason Rudolph after a stint in Tennessee, signed preseason standout Skylar Thompson, and added College Football Playoff champion Will Howard in the sixth round. It’s a crowded quarterback room, and that’s by design. Pittsburgh’s front office made it clear: mediocrity under center won’t be tolerated.

Offensive Line

The Steelers have quietly built one of the youngest—and potentially most cohesive—offensive lines in the NFL. With four starters still on rookie contracts, the lone veteran presence belongs to Isaac Seumalo, fresh off his first Pro Bowl nod in 2024.

Former first-rounders Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu anchor the edges, with Jones returning to his natural spot at left tackle and Fautanu looking to bounce back after a lost season. Inside, Zach Frazier turned heads as a rookie center, while Mason McCormick stepped up admirably when injuries struck, outperforming his mid-round draft status.

If this group can stay healthy and gel early, Pittsburgh may have found a long-term foundation that could dominate the trenches for years to come.

Run Game

The Steelers made a bold statement this offseason by parting ways with Najee Harris, their durable and dependable four-year starter who never missed a 1,000-yard season. In his place steps Jaylen Warren, the former undrafted gem who’s earned his stripes as a dynamic receiving threat and now takes over as the lead back.

Behind him, Pittsburgh added complementary pieces with distinct skill sets: Kenneth Gainwell, fresh off a Super Bowl run in Philly, brings savvy in pass protection and third-down work, while rookie Kaleb Johnson offers a patient, tackle-breaking style that echoes shades of Le’Veon Bell.

It’s a retooled backfield built to lighten Aaron Rodgers’ load and fit seamlessly into Arthur Smith’s run-heavy scheme—if it clicks, Pittsburgh may finally have the balance it’s been chasing.

Receiver Divas

You’d think Pittsburgh might shy away from bold personalities at wide receiver after years of drama—from Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown to Martavis Bryant and George Pickens. But the Steelers doubled down this offseason, trading for D.K. Metcalf, a physical specimen and true WR1 who brings size, swagger, and a red-zone presence the team has sorely lacked.

Behind Metcalf, the depth chart is a blend of speed and upside: Calvin Austin and rookie Roman Wilson both clocked sub-4.3 40s, offering explosive potential in space.

If the wideouts don’t pan out, the tight end room is stacked. Jonnu Smith, fresh off a Pro Bowl season in Miami, reunites with OC Arthur Smith for their third stint together, while Pat Freiermuth—last year’s team leader in receptions—could thrive with defenses forced to account for so many weapons. It’s a high-variance group, but the ceiling is undeniable.

Linebacker Depth

This might be the deepest linebacker corps Pittsburgh has assembled in a decade.

Inside, the trio of Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, and a fully recovered Cole Holcomb gives the Steelers a rare blend of speed, instincts, and experience. Add in Malik Harrison as a veteran backup, and the unit has both depth and versatility.

On the edge, T.J. Watt remains the gold standard—his new contract only reinforces his status as a generational talent. But he’s not alone: Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig have proven they can start and produce, giving Pittsburgh a relentless rotation.

Rookies Jack Sawyer and Carson Bruener round out the group with developmental upside and immediate value on special teams. It’s a loaded room built for impact at every level.

Stopping the Run

After getting gashed on the ground last season—most notably by division foes Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens—the Steelers made trench toughness a top priority in the 2025 draft. They used their first-round pick on Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, a disruptive interior force, and later grabbed Iowa’s towering Yahya Black to add size and strength up front.

Those rookies join veteran leader Cameron Heyward, still defying age and expectations, and rising talent Keeanu Benton, who flashed promise in his second year.

The message from Pittsburgh’s front office was unmistakable: the days of getting bullied at the line of scrimmage are over.