Behind the Steel Curtain
What are the Steelers’ greatest strengths and weaknesses on offense?
Heading into training camp, what are the Steelers’ biggest strengths? In this two-part series, we’ll be power ranking Pittsburgh’s position groups on both offense and defense, starting with the former.
Invert the ranking, and you get an idea of the team’s offensive needs heading into the new season:
Rostered: D.K. Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Robert Woods, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller, Roc Taylor, Brandon Johnson, Ke’Shawn Williams, Montana Lemonious-Craig, Lance McCutcheon
Listing the bottom two of this list was difficult as there’s a good chance either one could be the Steelers’ worst position group — not just on offense — in 2025. Ultimately, the wide receiver room lands at fifth as it’s the roster spot where the Steelers could most easily add a new starter before the season begins.
D.K. Metcalf is a good WR1 — likely the Steelers’ best offensive player — and an upgrade over George Pickens. But he’s not in the tier of elite wide receivers who instantly elevate an offense. He’s talented, but not transformative.
Behind Metcalf, Calvin Austin III is an up-and-coming role player with size limitations at 5’8, 170 pounds. After that, there’s 2024 third-rounder Roman Wilson and his five career NFL snaps, a handful of veterans who would be WR4s at best on most NFL teams, and some intriguing undrafted talent.
A better than expected year for Metcalf, Austin, and/or Wilson could easily elevate this group, but overall there’s a glaring lack of star power, depth, and past production. If Metcalf goes down, the offense is in big trouble.
Rostered: Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, Calvin Anderson, Spencer Anderson, Max Scharping, Nick Broeker, Ryan McCollum, Doug Nester, Steven Jones, Gareth Warren, Aiden Williams
The offensive line avoids last place in this exercise as its ceiling might be the highest of the Steelers’ offensive position groups. But the floor is subterranean.
At the very least, second-year center Zach Frazier looks like a longtime high-end starter. But the Steelers are betting big on 2023 first-rounder Broderick Jones to finally provide starting-caliber play as he switches back to his college position of left tackle ahead of the new season.
Jones was the weak spot in both the run and passing game in an already underwhelming Steelers offense last season, and he’s moving to an even more pivotal role for 2025.
Elsewhere, the Steelers’ O-line has more promise, but the group is still overwhelmingly young — four of the five starters have two years or less of NFL experience. Right tackle Troy Fautanu hasn’t even played a full regular season game, while right guard Mason McCormick is expected to take a big leap in Year 2 — as a rookie, he showed upside, but at times looked the part of a small-school fourth-rounder suddenly thrust into a starting role.
Depth is also a worry. Even if the starting five play up...
