Regardless of the various adjustments the Pittsburgh Steelers have made since final 12 months, they’re nonetheless not essentially in a greater place. In line with Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette, they nonetheless have quite a bit to show to make that declare. After all, they’re not those making it, however many within the offseason search out causes for optimism.
And there’s purpose for optimism, after all, regarding the Steelers this 12 months. Whereas they traded George Pickens, DK Metcalf is a extra constant and mature parallel. They need to additionally see inner progress from their younger vast receivers, tight ends and offensive linemen. Rookie RB Kaleb Johnson could be a huge a part of the offense this 12 months, as will DL Derrick Harmon. However there was optimism final 12 months, too, and we noticed how the season fell aside.
Since final season, the Steelers turned over the roster considerably. They parted with QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, RB Najee Harris, WRs George Pickens, Van Jefferson and Mike Williams, OL Dan Moore Jr. and James Daniels, DL Larry Ogunjobi, ILB Elandon Roberts, and CB Donte Jackson. Whereas they’re assured within the gamers they introduced in as replacements, they need to show themselves first.
“Are they a greater group now than they had been at the moment final 12 months? I personally don’t suppose so,” Dulac advised Wealthy Eisen, speaking concerning the Steelers of 2025. “If you lose 10 of twenty-two starters, it’s troublesome to say with out many main adjustments. One, after all, DK Metcalf. However you lose a man with George Pickens. Now, DK Metcalf is a step above George Pickens, no query, however you’re form of proper again to the place you had been final 12 months [with no clear WR No. 2].”
After the Steelers traded George Pickens, and as soon as Aaron Rodgers signed, the depth at vast receiver jumped to the highest of the priority record. Do the Steelers have a reliable No. 2 vast receiver on the roster? Is it Calvin Austin III, as WR coach Zach Azzanni claims, or possibly Roman Wilson? Perhaps certainly one of them can present the reply — however we will’t know in June.
“I nonetheless imagine that they may exit and get another sort of No. 2,” the Steelers beat author added referring to a different receiver. “Perhaps there’s a few Aaron Rodgers receivers on the market. I wouldn’t search for any blockbuster commerce or something like that, however I’d not be stunned in the event that they added one other vast receiver to assist out Aaron Rodgers.”
The Steelers completed the 2024 season 10-7, posting one other one-and-done Wild Card loss within the playoffs. However they began the season 10-3 earlier than shedding their ultimate 5 video games. Plenty of that needed to do with the schedule escalating in problem, which as time passes, we appear to overlook. Keep in mind, they misplaced to the Eagles and Chiefs, who competed within the Tremendous Bowl, and the Ravens twice, each in Baltimore. However they’re going to have a troublesome schedule this 12 months, too.
