The Pittsburgh Steelers signed a number of free brokers exterior of the group, all having varied ranges of expertise and manufacturing of their respective careers. Right now, we shall be rating the highest 10 probably most impactful free brokers Pittsburgh signed this offseason for the upcoming 2025 season (Word: WR DK Metcalf wasn’t included on this rating as a result of he was acquired by way of commerce and never by free agent acquisition.)
10. RB TREY SERMON
Pittsburgh signed Trey Sermon again in Could so as to add operating again depth to a room that already had Kaleb Johnson, Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, and Cordarrelle Patterson. Sermon is a former third-round decide that brings some pedigree to the desk, however he’s probably set for the observe squad, and his probably solution to the 53-man roster is by way of damage or a shock reduce previous to the beginning of the season.
9. DL DANIEL EKUALE
DL Daniel Ekuale began 16 video games for the New England Patriots final season. Nonetheless, his function in Pittsburgh will probably be as a backup, combating for a roster spot behind the likes of Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Derrick Harmon. Ekuale shall be combating for enjoying time with the likes of Isaiahh Loudermilk, Yahya Black, Logan Lee, Dean Lowry, and DeMarvin Leal, making it fairly the competitors for snaps. He’ll see his method onto the sector if he makes the roster, however his impression shall be restricted as extra of a run-stuffer with restricted manufacturing as a cross rusher.
8. CB BRANDIN ECHOLS
What was mentioned about Ekuale could possibly be mentioned for Echols, who has began 19-of-57 video games performed in his NFL profession, seeing 4 begins final season for the New York Jets. He has 5 interceptions and two pick-sixes in his four-year profession, however he shall be combating for enjoying time with Beanie Bishop, who notched 4 picks as a rookie final season, whereas Pittsburgh additionally has Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, and Corey Trice on the surface. Echols may even see some enjoying time in sure sub-packages, however his potential to begin could also be restricted exterior of damage.
7. QB MASON RUDOLPH
Mason Rudolph receives this score on this record as he’s one snap away from getting in for Aaron Rodgers as this staff’s beginning quarterback. He was this staff’s projected starter previous to Rodgers signing and represented himself decently within the instances he has began for Pittsburgh prior to now, serving to them get into the 2023 postseason. Nonetheless, being behind Rodgers, Rudolph’s solely probability at play time could be if Rodgers had been to go down because of damage.
6. RB KENNETH GAINWELL
The Steelers signed RB Kenneth Gainwell to bolster the operating again room after Najee Harris left city for the Los Angeles Chargers, giving them a succesful runner who brings some explosiveness and pass-catching upside to their backfield. Nonetheless, the Steelers later drafted RB Kaleb Johnson within the third spherical of the 2025 draft, setting him as much as be their future early down again with Jaylen Warren nonetheless more likely to see loads of work mixing in with Johnson on early downs and within the passing recreation. A transparent RB3 with Cordarrelle Patterson to take care of on the depth chart, Gainwell’s impression can also be restricted in a crowded room.
5. WR ROBERT WOODS
The Steelers signed Robert Woods in Could, giving him a one-year deal that totals $2 million for the 2025 season. A former standout for the Los Angeles Rams, Woods has bounced round the previous couple of seasons, seeing time with the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans. His manufacturing has declined as he has aged, seeing simply 4 begins final season in a crowded Houston receiver corps, missing the juice he used to have. He’ll probably carry an identical function/manufacturing that former getting older vets Allen Robinson and Mike Williams did as receivers previous their prime, to provide management and reliability to the staff’s younger receiver corps.
4. LB MALIK HARRISON
Pittsburgh gave a sizeable deal to LB Malik Harrison this offseason, setting him as much as fill Elandon Roberts’ sneakers because the staff determined to let him stroll in free company to the Las Vegas Raiders on a cheaper deal. Harrison has loads of beginning expertise with the Baltimore Ravens, together with in depth expertise contributing on particular groups. Nonetheless, Harrison’s recreation lacks splash, and the presence of Cole Holcomb on the roster presents Harrison with a battle for enjoying time on the defensive aspect of the soccer.
3. S JUAN THORNHILL
I wrote earlier this offseason how Juan Thornhill was Pittsburgh’s largest free agent wildcard this offseason, and that’s the reason I’ve him right here at No. 3 on this record. His play with the Cleveland Browns the earlier two years, lacking time because of accidents and failing to make splash performs with a excessive missed sort out price. Nonetheless, previous to his time in Cleveland, Thornhill was an impression participant within the Chiefs’ secondary, displaying off his closing velocity in addition to his instincts in protection. He could have the chance to see loads of enjoying time as Pittsburgh’s third security alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott to switch Damontae Kazee.
2. CB DARIUS SLAY
Darius Slay comes over from the Philadelphia Eagles after serving to them to a Tremendous Bowl final season, having began 14 video games in 2024. He didn’t report an interception in the course of the common season and is the ripe age of 34. In line with our very personal Alex Kozora’s movie room of Slay, the veteran nonetheless has some juice left and might nonetheless contribute at a excessive degree reverse of Joey Porter Jr. Only one yr faraway from three-straight Professional Bowl nods, Pittsburgh shall be in search of Slay to carry it down within the secondary in an identical method Donte Jackson did for the staff final season.
1. QB AARON RODGERS
Aaron Rodgers simply takes the highest spot right here because the four-time MVP and former Tremendous Bowl champion is probably going his final season or two within the league. He’s three years faraway from his final notable season in 2021, the place he led Inexperienced Bay to a 13-3 report and gained league MVP, however Pittsburgh is hoping that he has sufficient left to show again the clock to assist this staff make a playoff run.
Pittsburgh hasn’t gained a playoff recreation in practically a decade, and that drought wants to finish quickly. Rodgers might not have the ability to energy this staff previous Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen within the AFC, however getting Pittsburgh a playoff win and into the divisional spherical needs to be a feat that he can accomplish this season… relying on what model of Rodgers Pittsburgh will get.
