The Steelers ended the 2024 regular season in disappointing fashion with four straight losses. In the playoffs, they went to Baltimore and gave a lackadaisical effort, getting annihilated by the archrival Ravens. The ending of the season left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth and there have been calls for major changes, including Mike Tomlin’s job, from both local and national sources. SteelDad laid out his case for the Steelers and Tomlin going their separate ways (quality Journey reference). But despite the blowback, the one voice that matters is that of Art Rooney II has been unphased by the criticism and started the offseason with a statement that Tomlin would return.
This will be the most important offseason of Omar Khan’s tenure as general manager. The Steelers just renewed Mike Tomlin’s contract last offseason and coordinators Arthur Smith (unless he gets a head coaching job) and Teryl Austin are under contract. By many accounts, the 2024 season was a one-off year because of the quarterback situation – having three guys on one-year deals. On top of the quarterbacks, there are 23 more players set to hit free agency this offseason and plenty of others the Steelers could cut.
With the way the season ended, there is a rising tide to “blow it all up” and rebuild the roster. Omar Khan may have just that opportunity, given that more than half the roster (26 players) are slated for free agency. Additionally, the Steelers will have the most cap space they have had in decades. Depending on the salary cap increase and a few cuts, the team could have upwards of $60 million available for offseason spending. That is exactly the opportunity the fanbase wants to see to rebuild this team into a contender.
Offense
Quarterback
Everything starts with the quarterback position in the NFL. Teams that don’t get top-tier quarterback play simply aren’t contenders. Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen will all be free agents this offseason. At 36 years old, Russell Wilson is what he is at this point and isn’t going to get better than what we saw this season. The free agent market isn’t great and neither is the draft, so this is likely a position that may need to wait a year or two to find the long-term answer. That said, there’s nothing wrong with working building a roster that a young QB can step into and succeed for years to come. For 2025, the best solution may be a low-money short-term deal with a free agent like Fields and adding a mid-rounder in the draft then looking to the 2026 Draft (which will be in Pittsburgh!) to make an aggressive move up the board to select the next franchise QB.
Running Back
The Steelers declined Najee Harris’ 5th Year Option last offseason. He produced another 1000-yard season (a credit to his durability) but is 26 years old and doesn’t have the consistent effectiveness that other top backs around the league have shown. Jaylen Warren is also a Restricted Free Agent and could be brought back on a reasonable salary to be part of a running back committee. Cordarrelle Patterson is one of Arthur Smith’s “guys” but clearly doesn’t have it any more. The Steelers should let Najee walk, pick up Warren’s RFA tender, and draft a running back on Day 2 or 3.
Wide Receiver
George Pickens may very well have played his way out of Pittsburgh. He has first round talent and a seventh round mindset. Pickens has one year left on his rookie contract, which is typically the time when the Steelers look to sign a player to an extension. We could very well see Pickens holding out for a contract if he’s still on the roster by camp, so the Steelers would be better off trying to trade him before the draft and get something in return. Beyond Pickens, only Calvin Austin is under contract for 2025. This is another unit that can be completely revamped with Van Jefferson, Mike Williams, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek all slated to be free agents. Of that group, we’d consider bringing Skowronek back on a minimum-level deal as the #5 WR and special teams gunner where he excelled this season. The Steelers should be looking to add at least 3 receivers via free agency and the draft.
Tight End
The Steelers signed Pat Freiermuth to an extension last year and he responded with one of the best seasons by a Steelers tight end since Heath Miller retired. With Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Connor Heyward all under contract the Stelers don’t need to do much with the tight end position this offseason. MyCole Pruitt, another of Arthur Smith’s guys, is a pending free agent but isn’t a massive priority. Pruitt, if he is willing to come back on a minimum deal as the 3rd/4th TE, is a capable blocker and special teamer.
Offensive Line
This is one position where the Steelers have invested heavily over the last two draft classes. Tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu were first round picks and center Zach Frazier was a second round pick. Additionally, Mason McCormick (who stepped in for pending free agent James Daniels) was a fourth rounder who saw significant playing time down the stretch. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr is a pending free agent but the Steelers will likely let him explore the market and go back to the original plan of Broderick Jones playing left tackle and Troy Fautanu playing right tackle. James Daniels and Nate Herbig, originally slated to be starters this year before ending their seasons on IR, will both be free agents. Backups Calvin Anderson, Max Scharping, and Ryan McCollum will also be free agents (with McCullum an easy-to-sign Exclusive Rights Free Agent). The Steelers starting line next year could be the five guys currently under contract (Jones-Seumalo-Frazier-McCormick-Fautanu). They should be able to add depth in free agency or bring in a veteran guard to challenge McCormick. One of the most significant changes the Steelers can make in the 2025 offseason is to bring in an offensive line coach who can develop young players. Pat Meyer has not shown the ability to do that during his tenure and needs to be replaced given the amount of investment the team has made into this unit.
Defense
Defensive Line
While Quarterback is the biggest question on offense, Cam Heyward’s future is the biggest on defense. The Steelers signed Captain Cam to a 3-year extension last offseason. He is due a $13 million roster bonus on March 18, which would essentially be the decision date for him to retire or play this season. Coming off an All-Pro season, Cam certainly has something left in the tank but he will be 36 next year. The only other player on the line with an expiring contract is Isaiahh Loudermilk who hasn’t proven to be much more than a rotational depth lineman during his rookie contract. The Steelers should let him explore free agency and look at getting younger on the defensive front. Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Montravius Adams, and Dean Lowry will all be in their 30s next season. The later three all have one year remaining on their contracts but could be cuts or cap casualties. Oft-injured DeMarvin Leal has one year left on a rookie deal where he has failed to meet expectations. On the whole, it would not be surprising if Keanu Benton is the only lineman still on the roster in 2026.
Outside Linebackers
TJ Watt is entering the final year of his contract. This will be a big off-season decision for the Steelers as Watt will be 31 next year and is coming off his lowest full-season sack total since his rookie year. Watt said in the exit interviews he wants to be a Steeler for his entire career, so in all likelihood they will sign him to an extension this summer that will carry him to close to the end of his career. The rest of this group should look largely the same as Alex Highsmith is under contract through 2027 and Nick Herbig is still on his rookie deal. Jeremiah Moon is an exclusive rights free agent who can be brought back easily and cheap to be the 4th edge rusher.
Inside Linebackers
Patrick Queen led the Steelers in tackles but had an up-and-down campaign in 2024, ending with a disappointing performance against Baltimore where he attempted to play through the flu. Elandon Roberts is set to be a free agent and if the Steelers can find the right contract number may be worth bringing back as a run-stopping linebacker. Third round pick Payton Wilson showed a lot of upside this year and the future looks bright for him. One of the other questions the team will need to consider is Cole Holcomb, who has one year left on his contract and returned to workouts near the end of the 2024 season after suffering an injury at the end of 2023. Cutting Holcomb would save $6 million on the salary cap. Special teamer Tyler Matakevich will also be a free agent while Mark Robinson has one year left.
Cornerbacks
Cornerback is the defensive position where the Steelers need to make the biggest investment this offseason. Joey Porter Jr is still plagued by too many penalties. Corey Trice and Beanie Bishop are the only other players under contract for 2025. Donte Jackson, who battled a back injury all year that had him in and out of the lineup, will be 30 next year. Jackson has said he wants to come back but the Steelers should look at other options first. Cam Sutton, who took snaps from Beanie Bishop down the stretch despite producing absolutely nothing, will also be 30 and should absolutely not be re-signed. James Pierre, another pending free agent, is fine as a special teams gunner and 5th corner but gets roasted every time he plays on defense. Much like wide receiver, the Steelers could completely restock the cornerback room next season. With JPJ, Trice, and Bishop returning, they will need to sign or draft 2 or 3 more corners to fill out the group.
Safeties
DeShon Elliott was one of the best free agent signings the Steelers made in 2024. With Minkah Fitzpatrick disappearing for most of the season (whether by scheme or by choice), Elliott became one of the leaders of the secondary. Fitzpatrick has two years left on his contract as one of the highest paid safeties in the league and the Steelers certainly need to find ways to get more out of him. Demontae Kazee is a pending free agent and should be allowed to test the market. Sixth round pick Ryan Watts spent the whole season on IR. The Steelers do like to employ sets with 3 safeties and could look to add one through free agency or the draft, but corner is a much higher priority.
Summary
On offense, the 2025 offseason should bring new faces all around. Quarterback is the biggest question mark to address. The Steelers should give Jaylen Warren an RFA tender and restock the rest of the running back room. If the Steelers trade George Pickens, then Calvin Austin could be the only returning receiver in 2025, giving them an opportunity to completely revamp the passing game with a new QB and receiving corps. The tight end group is the only one that will likely be the same in 2025. They have five offensive linemen under contract so the focus should be on depth or improving the starting lineup. While not a complete ‘blow up’ of the offense with the returning tight ends and linemen, rebuilding the quarterback room, running back committee, and receiving corps would be a significant step in the right direction. Some of these rebuilds may take multiple seasons, but are all necessary.
On the defensive side of the ball, Cam Heyward is coming off an All Pro season but the line is aging and Keanu Benton is the only capable player under 30. The Steelers need to start restocking that group with more young depth to aid the run defense. The outside linebackers are all under contract while decisions have to be made on Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts on the inside. Like wide receiver, the Steelers need to restock the cornerback position, building around JPJ. At safety, additional depth should be added behind Elliott and Fitzpatrick. Overall, the biggest issue with the defense is the scheme not maximizing the talents of the players. The defense (except for Cam Heyward) was sleepwalking and half-assing the effort against Baltimore. A scheme change to a more aggressive coordinator and adding corners who can actually cover are the top priorities this offseason.
