Behind the Steel Curtain
Never say never when it comes to the Steelers contending — but they’ll need some things to fall their way.
After an offseason of wondering if the Steelers might be “soft tanking” in 2025, the Aaron Rodgers signing made it clear that the answer is “no.” Pittsburgh is still attempting to contend for a Super Bowl this season.
Most would agree that a 41-year-old Rodgers doesn’t suddenly make the Steelers a Super Bowl favorite. Still, if the team is going to defy expectations and make a deep playoff run, what does that look like? What has to go right?
This is the time of year for unbridled optimism, but I’m skeptical that this 2025 Steelers’ roster deserves that level of hype. I see a narrow path for championship success.
The following is a list of what I think needs to go right for the Steelers to reach true contender status in 2025. And to me, it plays more like that scene from Infinity War when Dr. Strange reveals there’s only one possible timeline where the Avengers win, than it does a championship blueprint.
Consider all of the following that must happen:
Well, duh.
This is a big ask, but not entirely impossible. Rodgers still isn’t a bad quarterback, even if his once-signature accuracy has deteriorated with age. Obviously, his overall athleticism has as well.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest arm talents in NFL history, Rodgers is still an impressive thrower, and it’s not unreasonable — actually, it’s downright reasonable — to think he might be better than Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were for Pittsburgh last season.
If Rodgers can be an efficient distributor, develop some chemistry with his pass-catchers, connect on some deep throws, and make enough plays when it matters most, then there can be some upside for the offense. To contend for a Super Bowl, Rodgers needs to be more than a quarterback the Steelers can simply win with, but rather someone they win because of.
Rodgers’ time with the Jets didn’t always show that quarterback. But a change of scenery can work wonders. Russell Wilson’s time with the Steelers didn’t end on a good note, but in 2024 he still looked leagues above his Denver self.
Older quarterbacks have gone to new teams and won Super Bowls in recent memory — the 43-year-old Tom Brady and 39-year-old Peyton Manning come to mind. A good-not-great season from Rodgers can still make some noise if his supporting cast can elevate their play enough.
But that’s another big if.
While we already addressed the importance of health with the first point in this article, it bears repeating that the depth of the Steelers’ O-line is almost nonexistent at the moment.
Perhaps more importantly, though, the Steelers’ offensive line starters need to play well. The interior should be OK. Zach Frazier is a developing star,...
