Month: April 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 campaign was a rollercoaster of early promise and late-season disappointment. Starting with a 10–3 record, the team seemed poised for a deep playoff run.

However, a four-game losing streak to close the regular season, culminating in a 28–14 Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens, extended their postseason win drought to eight seasons. Early playoff exits has become a recurring theme under head coach Mike Tomlin, who continues to have winning seasons despite the adversity his team has faced. Here’s a look back at last year’s highs and lows and what we can expect as the team tries to turn it’s fortunes around entering next week’s NFL Draft.

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A season of highs and lows

The Steelers began the season with Justin Fields at quarterback, securing a 4-2 record during his six starts. Fields’ performance peaked in Week 3 when he threw 245 yards and a touchdown, plus added a rushing touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers. Fields completed 78% of his 32 attempts in that game, but would start to cool off despite a Week 4 high of 315 passing yards. The Steelers would fall to the Colts and Cowboys before a 145-yard performance sealed Fields’ fate.

Inconsistency led to a midseason switch to Russell Wilson, who provided a temporary boost as the offense improved by 10 points per game and gained over 100 yards of production. Wilson’s standout performance came in Week 13 against the Bengals, throwing for 414 yards in a 44-38 victory. Despite these flashes, the offense struggled late in the season with the passing game ranking 27th in the league with 192.0 yards per game.

The defense remained a strong point, finishing 8th in points allowed (20.4 per game). T.J. Watt led the team with 11.5 sacks, while linebacker Patrick Queen contributed 129 tackles. Teryl Austin’s unit also led the NFL in forced turnovers. Yet, the defense would also falter late in the season, allowing the Eagles to run 47 plays in the second half, relinquished 348 yards to Derrick Henry alone in two games, and gave up over 27 points during the final five game skid.

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Offseason changes and challenges

This offseason brought significant roster changes for the Steelers. The quarterback room has turned over with Fields and Wilson signing with the New York Jets and Giants respectively. Running back Najee Harris, wide receiver Mike Williams, and cornerback Donte Jackson also left, joining the Los Angeles Chargers. Starting guard James Daniels signed with the Dolphins while starting tackle Dan Moore Jr. signed with the Titans.

The via free agency additions have been minimal, leaving the returning Mason Rudolph and former Dolphin Skylar Thompson as their primary quarterbacks, raising concerns about the team’s offensive capabilities.

Much of the offseason buzz around Pittsburgh has been tied to veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was released by the Jets. Rodgers visited the team for a full day nearly a month ago. The Steelers’ interest in Rodgers became one of the most talked-about storylines in the latest NFL news, with speculation about how his arrival could reshape the team’s short-term future.

Rodgers was also recently spotted participating in a workout with wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Seahawks. Metcalf was the crown jewel of Pittsburgh’s offseason, but the question remains as to who is throwing the ball to him and his maligned counterpart, George Pickens.

While team owner Art Rooney II expressed optimism about signing Rodgers, the quarterback’s decision remains pending. The uncertainty of the quarterback position has become a focal point for the team’s offseason strategy.

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Draft strategy and future outlook

With the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers have several pressing needs. The departure of key players has created gaps in the roster, particularly at quarterback, running back, and defensive tackle.

The team has shown interest in top quarterback prospects, including Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, and Jalen Milroe, indicating a potential move to secure a long-term solution at the position. They have also hosted Louisville’s Tyler Shough and Syracuse’s Kyle McCord for pre-draft visits.

Defensively, the team is looking to bolster the line, especially with veteran Cameron Heyward nearing the end of his career. One potential target is Derrick Harmon, a defensive tackle from Oregon, who has impressed scouts with his versatility and pass-rushing abilities. (Harmon recently visited the team too.)

The uncertainty around the Steelers’ draft direction has already made them a popular subject in early NFL picks and offseason predictions. Fans and analysts alike are speculating how a new quarterback or a high-impact defensive addition could alter the team’s trajectory heading into 2025. The AFC North is already competitive with quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow having led their teams to AFC Championship games in recent years.

With a slate against the AFC East and NFC North, plus a historic game in Dublin, Ireland, these games will test the team’s adaptability and resilience as they navigate a challenging season.

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Building a Path Forward

The Steelers’ consistent regular-season success under Tomlin is commendable, but the lack of postseason victories has become a point of contention among fans and analysts. The team’s ability to address key roster gaps, particularly at quarterback, will be crucial in determining their trajectory for the upcoming season.

Will it be Rodgers, a rookie, or Rudolph at the helm in 2025? And if the quarterback position is mitigated, how might that factor into the Steelers strategy against higher-powered offenses such as the the two Super Bowl teams they faced during their five-game losing streak last season?

The acquisition of DK Metcalf adds a dynamic element to the offense, potentially providing a deep-threat option lacking in previous seasons. Metcalf’s presence should open the field for Pickens and TE Pat Freiermuth too. However, the effectiveness of this addition hinges on the team’s ability to solidify the quarterback position. After all, it’s the most important position in football.

Yet, Coach Tomlin has weathered these storms before. He got the most out of a post-injury, aging Ben Roethlisberger and somehow maintained his controversial, albeit flawless regular season streak with lesser talents playing quarterback. If Tomlin could win with Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Duck Hodges, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, who’s to say he can’t pull a rabbit out of his hat and surprise us once again in 2025?

Steelers put 2024 in their rearview as they enter the NFL Draft and offseason appeared first on Steel City Underground.

The 2025 NFL Draft will take place from April 24th to April 26th in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have seven picks. (Note: The Steelers’ second-round selection was traded to the Seattle Seahawks last month to acquire WR D.K. Metcalf.)

• Round 1: Pick 21
• Round 3: Pick 83
• Round 4: Pick 123
• Round 5: Pick 156
• Round 6: Pick 185 (from Seattle)
• Round 7: Pick 229 (from Atlanta via Philadelphia)

It is difficult to definitively say who the Pittsburgh Steelers will draft as the draft is still over a week away, and team needs and draft boards can change significantly leading up to the event. However, based on current team needs and media predictions, here are some potential areas and players the Steelers might consider.

Among those positions are quarterback, running back, and defensive line, which have dominated their allotted 30 pre-draft visits. Based on those visits and positional need, here are three different prospects the Steelers could target with their 21st overall selection in the first round. (Note: All three players have visited the Steelers’ facilities.)

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Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss)

With both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields leaving in free agency, the Steelers quarterback room turns over yet again this offseason as the team seeks its quarterback of the future.

University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) is a player many have all over the board. He could be the third quarterback taken after Cam Ward (Miami) and Shedeur Sanders (Colorado). Drafting quarterbacks is a great unknown and the Steelers have a serious need at the position. Dart shares many similar traits to Justin Fields, and may be a fit for Arthur Smith’s offensive schemes.

Last season, Dart led the Rebels to a 10-3 record and was named the Gator Bowl MVP after throwing for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 52-20 win over Duke. Over the course of his college career which includes a stint with USC, Dart completed 65.2% of his passes for 11,970 yards, 81 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,514 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He owns several records at Ole Miss including most wins by a quarterback, highest winning percentage, and career totals for offensive yards, passing yards, rushing yards (by a QB), passing efficiency and 300-yard passing games.

The question is whether or not Dart will not only fall to 21, but if Pittsburgh could acquire him later. Without a second round pick, the risk is that Dart could be gone by the time the Steelers are back on the clock with pick 83 in the third round. Unless they make a move to slide back or gain an extra pick, Dart could be Omar Khan’s first round target.

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Derrick Harmon (DL, Oregon)

Reinforcing the defensive line is a priority for the Steelers as an aging Cameron Heyward won’t play forever. Last year’s late season collapse is largely attributed to poor defensive line play, with little or no reserves able to help spell Heyward and promising third-year player Keeanu Benton.

Enter the 6’4″ 313 lbs. Harmon. Some draft analysts rank him as the top defensive tackle in the class, highlighting his quickness, disruptive ability, pass rushing ability, and awareness against the run. His versatility, a key with Mike Tomlin players, allows him to play various techniques on the defensive line which fits both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts.

Last season, Harmon recorded a career-high 10.5 tackles for loss with 5 sacks. He had 45 total tackles, 4 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he led all FBS interior defensive linemen with 55 total pressures.

He has drawn comparisons to former Steelers Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave throughout the draft process and could be a pick that preserves Heyward for a 17-game season while also looking at a future beyond Heyward’s playing days.

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Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)

Najee Harris also departed in free agency this offseason, creating a need for a running back to pair with Jaylen Warren. Harris, who never missed a game during his four-years with Pittsburgh, leaves a sizeable but replaceable hole for the team to fill.

The question is, in a draft deep with running back talent, its not a question of if, but when do the Steelers pull the trigger on taking one. Hampton has been predicted to go at some point between the mid-to-late first round, making pick 21 – a similar spot where Harris was drafted – a plausible situation for Pittsburgh.

In three seasons at the University of North Carolina, Hampton tallied 3,565 yards rushing with 36 touchdowns while adding 635 yards and 4 touchdowns as a receiver. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but keep in mind Hampton declared for the draft following his junior year and played as a true freshman. The bulk of his work came over the last two seasons as a sophomore and junior, which when evaluating running backs is important: he has shown the talent but doesn’t have the wear-and-tear of some other prospects who are older and/or have been hit more often during their collegiate career.

Hampton could be the lead back Smith prefers with adequate size (6’0″, 221 lbs.), 4.46 speed. Hampton would also add the elusiveness and ability to break tackles that made Harris a workhorse, while projecting to be a three-down back in much the same way.

The Steelers may want to control the clock by running the ball more in 2025, and with Warren as the only proven back – one that has struggled to remain healthy for a full season – they will certainly dip their toe into the running back pool during the draft.

Three first round draft targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared first on Steel City Underground.