Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers offseason was filled with moves after their 2024 season collapsed. What will their story be in 2025?
In a matter of weeks, days, and hours, the Pittsburgh Steelers have transitioned to the regular season. After their 2024 campaign collapsed in brutal fashion, the offseason was filled with what head coach Mike Tomlin hinted at: change. The story of the 2025 season started after the loss in Baltimore. How will it look when it is finished being written?
It didn’t take Tomlin very long to realize his team needed a change. After watching his team complete one of the most brutal end-of-season schedules, none of it came with victories. They lost their final five games, including losing the division and wildcard game to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Need For Change…
“I doubt that I had even gotten in the shower yet,” Tomlin told NFL Network in April. Specifically, he highlighted the aggressive moves needed to address the Steelers’ defensive line. His defense watched Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson combine for 267 of 299 yards rushing.
Tomlin vowed to make changes following those results. “Although we’ve had similar results, rest assured that we’re not doing the same things and hoping for a different result,” he said at the final Steelers coaching press conference of the season.
”We have adapted. We have altered our approach, and we will continue because we’re not getting what we seek — and that’s the confetti game, is to be world champs.” Tomlin concluded.
Though the changes didn’t come as immediately or swiftly as some fans might have liked, the offseason was filled with change. How would general manager Omar Khan and Tomlin respond to now eight seasons with a single postseason victory?
The Beginning of A New Season…
The response? The Steelers kicked off their offseason with an unprecedented trade-and-sign transaction with the acquisition of DK Metcalf. A few months later, they traded away George Pickens.
The Steelers then drafted Oregon’s Derrick Harmon in the first round. This came despite Vegas’ odds screaming the drafting of Shedeur Sanders. Not only did they draft Harmon, but they might have found a diamond in the rough with Yahya Black.
It wasn’t just the defensive line they overhauled. Gone is starting cornerback Donte Jackson and All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Now the secondary has All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey, All-Pro corner Darius Slay, and Super Bowl champion safety Juan Thornhill.
Oh yes, they also extended two of their biggest defensive playmakers in 2024 to extensions: Deshon Elliott and TJ Watt.
Of course, it wasn’t just the defense that was overhauled either. The Steelers let their entire quarterback room, their starting running back, and their number one receiver all depart. The only thing intact was a young offensive line and tight end group.
Pittsburgh then signed Kenneth Gainwell, retained Jaylen Warren, and drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third-round after Najee Harris walked.
Perhaps for the offense, those moves weren’t the most intriguing. 2024 quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson both...
