Aging Steelers Get Even Older After Big Trade

Aging Steelers Get Even Older After Big Trade
Steelers Now Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the oldest teams in the NFL in the 2024 season, averaging 27.2 years old, according to a snap-weighted formula by Bill Barnwell of ESPN. All they’ve done in the 2025 offseason is get older.

When the Steelers traded for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith on Monday, they added two strong household names. They also added to their aging star roster.

Ramsey and Smith are both 30 – two of the 14 over-30-year-old players on the team. Not too long ago, quarterback Aaron Rodgers joined the Steelers at the age of 41. Additionally, they added Darius Slay in free agency, who is now 34.

Cam Heyward (36), Cordarrelle Patterson (34), Chris Boswell (34), Cameron Johnston (33), Robert Woods (33), Miles Killebrew (32), Isaac Seumalo (31), Dean Lowry (31), Christian Kuntz (31), Daniel Ekuale (31) and T.J. Watt (30) are all 30 or older.

Steelers Assemble… geriatric edition.#NFL #Pittsburgh #Steelers pic.twitter.com/ttPx20wSSR

— Sportskeeda Pro Football (@SKProFootball) June 30, 2025

Currently, the average projected starter age in each unit is as follows:

Offense: 27.45
Defense: 28.18
Special Teams: 32.67

The Steelers still have a lot of youth despite their aging stars. Their offensive line has four out of five projected starters 25 or younger. The Steelers also have made a push to make their defensive line younger.

It’s no secret that head coach Mike Tomlin loves two things: pedigree and veteran experience. It’s part of the reason he switched from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson last season. He now has plenty of veteran experience, especially on defense once again.

It is clear the Steelers are all in on this season. As they do every season, they do everything they can to win each year. While some have called for them to “tank”, general manager Omar Khan quietly has built a future while also focusing on each season.

It’s no doubt, however, that Pittsburgh will rely heavily on their older stars to make plays to win this season. It remains to be seen how close they are to competing even after the plethora of moves made this offseason.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Aging Steelers Get Even Older After Big Trade