The Pittsburgh Steelers underwent a serious overhaul from final season this spring, seeing their prime passer, rusher and cross catcher all depart by way of free company and commerce as Russell Wilson, Najee Harris, and George Pickens are not on the roster. Together with these notable names, Pittsburgh had the likes of QB Justin Fields, OT Dan Moore Jr., OG James Daniels, DL Larry Ogunjobi, LBs Preston Smith and Elandon Roberts, and CB Donte Jackson all depart city for different groups.
Pittsburgh went to work filling the holes on the roster and strengthening positions of want for the 2025 season, signing the likes of QBs Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph, RB Kenneth Gainwell, WR Robert Woods, LB Malik Harrison, CBs Darius Slay and Brandin Echols, and S Juan Thornhill. Pittsburgh additionally made a splash commerce by buying WR DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks whereas additionally drafting DL Derrick Harmon, RB Kaleb Johnson, OLB Jack Sawyer and DL Yahya Black, who might all figuratively contribute a good quantity this coming season.
Whereas Pittsburgh did a superb job of bringing in a superb mixture of skilled veterans and youthful rookies to develop, the roster isn’t with out its warts as we head into the useless of the summer season for the following couple of weeks with coaching camp quick approaching on July 23.
When deciding what place Pittsburgh might most remorse not investing extra into throughout the offseason, it comes down to 3 decisions in my ebook: quarterback, vast receiver and offensive deal with. Quarterback has a caveat as they introduced in a future Corridor of Famer in Aaron Rodgers, in addition to a former Steeler in Mason Rudolph who’s acquainted with the crew. However Rodgers is within the twilight of his profession with solely one other season or two left within the tank, whereas Rudolph is finest suited as a spot starter/good backup.
Nonetheless, my argument could be for both offensive deal with or vast receiver because the place that Pittsburgh ought to have invested extra into this season. It comes right down to harm reassurance. OT Troy Fautanu has battled accidents all through faculty and is coming off a misplaced rookie season final 12 months from a dislocated kneecap, leaving Pittsburgh with simply Calvin Anderson to thrust right into a beginning position ought to both Fautanu or Broderick Jones go down. On prime of that, each Fautanu and Jones are nonetheless creating, being given plenty of duty to dam for Aaron Rodgers with no actual high quality depth behind them.
Vast receiver can also be a serious concern as DK Metcalf is the one clear-cut starter on the roster as Roman Wilson is coming off a misplaced rookie season himself whereas Calvin Austin III is best fitted to WR3/4 duties. Robert Woods can also be within the twilight of his profession, missing juice as a route runner and will probably be extra relied upon for his blocking prowess and management within the locker room. Additionally consider that Metcalf battled knee and shoulder accidents final season, resulting in him lacking a few video games. Pittsburgh would have a severely crippled WR corps if Metcalf have been to overlook any time.
It’s with that issue that I might say that Pittsburgh’s largest remorse this offseason was not placing extra into the vast receiver place. They appeared strong at wideout previous to the Pickens commerce, however after he was dealt to Dallas for a 3rd spherical choose subsequent 12 months, it put the Steelers in practically an an identical state of affairs that they confronted final 12 months with Pickens as their WR1 with no actual WR2 to go with him.
The Steelers nonetheless have time so as to add one other playmaker to the crew, and so they have actively been buying round, being reportedly within the combine for TEs Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith whereas additionally internet hosting WR Gabe Davis for a go to. Whether or not it’s a kind of names, a well-recognized face like Allen Lazard with a longtime rapport with Rodgers, or one other obtainable identify, Pittsburgh could be clever to try to make one other transfer to bolster the receiver place previous to the beginning of the common season. It could give them extra depth and harm assurance at arguably their most vulnerable place.
