3 must-watch Pittsburgh Steelers games on the 2025 NFL schedule

It’s still very early to be radically, overly analytical towards the competitiveness of the Pittsburgh Steelers this year, especially since training camp is months away. The roster will remain relatively fluid until the 53-man roster is ironed out along with the practice squad and any long-term injury designations. With the release of the 2025 NFL regular season schedule having just occurred last week, we analyzed the Steelers games to determine which ones we feel will be the top must-see matchups with the previously mentioned factors, as well as key players and opponent records in 2024, in mind.

Because every game in the AFC North will be a challenge – as they usually are due to the nature of divisional play – our list does not include any games from those series.

Embed from Getty Images

Nearly every online sportsbook platform out there features the NFL, and the 2025 schedule is a hot topic – especially when it focuses on perennial competitors like the Pittsburgh Steelers. With head coach Mike Tomlin currently the longest tenured head coach, Pittsburgh remains a team fans keep track of. So, let’s look at what Steelers fans should mark down on their calendars as must-see games on the 2025 NFL schedule.

Week 4: Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sept. 28)

(Ireland, 9:30 AM EST, NFL Network)

With one of the hottest rosters in the league in 2024, the Vikings will be the visiting team when they play the Steelers at famed Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland in Week 4. Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell led the team to a 14-3 record last season with Sam Darnold as their top quarterback surrounded by stars like Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw. J.J. McCarthy will take over quarterback duties in 2025 and is considered by NFL analyst Bucky Brooks to be the biggest wildcard in the league this year. Brooks said,

“With a pair of schematic wizards in Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores pencil-whipping opponents with deft play designs, the Vikings should be considered among the top candidates to supplant the defending champion Eagles as NFC representatives in Super Bowl LX — IF J.J. McCarthy can hit the ground running as the team’s new QB1.”

Early fan reactions to Steelers President Art Rooney II stating that the team may not head to Ireland until Thursday on game week leaned toward unfavorable, with many citing the poor experience Pittsburgh had when they traveled in 2013 (to London, England) to face the Vikings – a game the Steelers lost. To clarify, Rooney did tell Missi Matthews, “It’s been a long time since we’ve done it… we’ll have to look into how other teams have been doing it lately.”

That tidbit sets up an opportunity for fans to get in on a moneyline bet on football betting software; with little to no knowledge of how the two teams’ preparation may go, the opportunity to still come out a winner is there.

With tickets to the game already selling very quickly – and the historic event being set up early in the season – this is one game every Steelers fan will want to schedule to be a part of, in-person or elsewhere. Watch parties are already highly anticipated, nationally and abroad.

Embed from Getty Images

Week 13: Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills

(Acrisure Stadium, Nov. 30 – 4:25 EST, CBS)

The last time the Bills and Steelers met was during the NFL Wild Card Round of the 2024 NFL playoffs. The Bills walked away with a 31-17 victory. In their last four meetings, going back to 2019 (not including the playoffs), the Steelers have been on the road in Buffalo three times. Their last meeting in Pittsburgh took place on December 15, 2019. The Steelers lost three of those games.

A November matchup between these two AFC challengers makes our list because it was already expected to be one of the toughest games on the 2025 NFL schedule, but also because the Bills stand secure with Josh Allen as their quarterback, at this point, while the Steelers may still be trotting Mason Rudolph out late in the season.

The game will be later in the afternoon, which could make it a chilly environment for fans and the teams, as well. We consider this game a must-watch because of the potential playoff implications as both teams would love to get past each other and and advance in postseason play.

Embed from Getty Images

Week 10: Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers

(Sunday Night Football, Nov. 9 – 8:20 EST, NBC)

In 2024, the Steelers beat the Chargers at Acrisure Stadium (41-37), but these two teams have a history of being unable to win back-to-back games as opponents going back to 2009.

The long-distance trip and night game, just one week removed from a Week 9 game against the Indianapolis Colts, will feature a Chargers team that exited the 2024 NFL playoffs early and is looking to have a bigger 2025 season with head coach Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert at quarterback.

ESPN’s Kris Rhim wrote,

“The Chargers won’t win double-digit games. Of the Chargers’ 11 wins last season, just three came over teams with a winning record…  L.A. benefited mightily from the NFL’s fifth easiest schedule in 2024 and beat up on some of the league’s worst teams in Harbaugh’s first season. With a much harder schedule and the Chargers roster not much improved from last season, it will be an uphill battle for this team to hit double-digit wins in 2025.”

That is the kind of thing Steelers fans love to hear about opponents, but there are analysts predicting Pittsburgh to also win less than ten games during the 2025 regular season. Beating the Chargers in Week 10 could set the Steelers up positively for the final stretch of their season, though, which pit this game squarely on our list.

 

3 must-watch Pittsburgh Steelers games on the 2025 NFL schedule appeared first on Steel City Underground.

Plays of the Year: Freiermuth snags 6th TD of 2024 season

Steel City Underground presents “Plays of the Year” featuring the top runs, catches, hits, and everything else in between from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 season.

Although the Pittsburgh Steelers were unable to score many points against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15 of the 2024 NFL regular season, they did manage to find the end zone in the second quarter.

The Steelers offense had three 3-and-outs before a Chris Boswell field goal was scored following a special teams turnover. They then had to punt on a series.

With just over six minutes left in the first half, Pittsburgh went on an 11-play drive that ate up 70 yards. After Russell Wilson escaped pressure on two keepers for ten yards, running back Najee Harris was stopped on a one-yard loss. A short pass to Van Jefferson got no gain, setting the Steelers up at 3rd & goal at the Philly 9 with 2:34 left.

Wilson took the snap with tight end Pat Freiermuth lined up just to the right of Broderick Jones. Wilson allowed Freiermuth to get clear and hit him in stride for a touchdown.

The catch was Freiermuth’s sixth touchdown reception of the season and at the end he would lead the team in touchdowns. Freiermuth would also finish second to George Pickens as Pittsburgh’s top receiver (in yards).

The outcome of the game, however, was a 24-13 loss which would be the first of a five-game losing streak to complete the season.

Plays of the Year: Freiermuth snags 6th TD of 2024 season appeared first on Steel City Underground.

Rooneys, Steelers go from ‘American Bowl’ to historic Dublin game

During the upcoming 2025 NFL regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers will once again travel internationally to play. Formerly, they were a part of the NFL’s ‘American Bowl’ series, but this upcoming season the historic first NFL game at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland is a continuation of the Rooney family’s legacy as well an expansion of team and league recognition beyond the borders of the United States to the Emerald Isle.

Embed from Getty Images

The American Bowl series

The American Bowl was a series of National Football League pre-season exhibition games that were held at sites outside the United States between 1986 and 2005. Although international games had been held prior to the American Bowl series, the NFL adopted a policy of at least one overseas game per year.

Famed Wembley Stadium in London was a favored site, drawing large international crowds and interest. The league then expanded its reach beyond the NFL Europe League’s start in 1991.

The American Bowl was a fifth pre-season game, played the same weekend as the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, and did not take away a game from the participating teams’ pre-season schedules. In 1997, Ireland hosted the Steelers and Chicago Bears at Croke Park, but it was purely exhibition. The Steelers and Kordell Stewart outgunned Rick Mirer and the Bears, 30-17.

Embed from Getty Images

NFL’s first regular-season game in Ireland at Croke Park

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to make history on September 28, 2025, when they face the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Ireland. Played at Croke Park, a move that holds both symbolic and strategic importance for the franchise – particularly for the Rooney family, whose Irish heritage runs deep.

Steelers president, Art Rooney II, has been a driving force behind bringing the NFL to Ireland. As the son of the late Dan Rooney – former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and longtime Steelers chairman – Art is committed to honoring and expanding upon his family’s legacy.

The Rooney family’s roots trace back to County Down on the paternal side and County Mayo on the maternal side. This strong ancestral connection to Ireland has inspired the family’s decades-long effort to grow the Steelers’ presence there.

Dan Rooney’s tenure as ambassador (2009–2012) not only strengthened U.S. – Ireland relations but also deepened the Steelers’ cultural footprint in the region. Art Rooney II has carried that legacy forward, describing the upcoming game as “the next logical step” in their long-standing relationship with Ireland.

Strengthening the Steelers’ & NFL’s international reach

The 2025 game in Dublin is part of the NFL’s broader international expansion strategy, which includes games in London, Germany, Brazil, and Spain. For the Steelers, this game is more than a marketing opportunity – it’s a mission grounded in heritage and long-term fan engagement.

In recent years, the Steelers have made concerted efforts to engage Irish fans. These include:

  • Partnership with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA): Hosting football clinics and community events in Ireland.
  • International streaming: Broadcasting Steelers preseason games on GAA’s streaming platform to Irish audiences.
  • Local fan outreach: Hosting Steelers watch parties and merchandise pop-ups across Ireland, including a 2025 NFL Draft party.

“The hosting of this major event presents a wonderful opportunity to deliver on our commitment to strengthen our political, cultural, economic and trade relationship with the U.S. at all levels,” said Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport Charlie McConalogue, TD, regarding the upcoming NFL regular season game.

“I look forward to welcoming thousands of American Football fans from America and further afield to our shores for what I am sure will be a fantastic sporting spectacle and one that will be of great benefit to Ireland.”

Embed from Getty Images

Croke Park: A Symbolic Venue

Croke Park, Ireland’s largest sports stadium and the heart of Gaelic games, is a deeply symbolic choice. Hosting an NFL game there not only emphasizes the significance of American football’s global growth but also pays tribute to Ireland’s rich sporting culture.

The Steelers’ collaboration with the GAA is instrumental in bridging American and Irish sports traditions.

Croke Park, previously the site of the 1996 Notre Dame vs. Navy game in addition to the American Bowl, has long been considered a potential NFL venue and 2025 will finally mark its debut on the league’s international calendar.

As the NFL continues to globalize its reach, the Steelers are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in Ireland. Their deep-rooted connection to the country, combined with a strong commitment to international fan development, makes them the ideal franchise to pioneer the league’s presence on the Emerald Isle.

Rooneys, Steelers go from ‘American Bowl’ to historic Dublin game appeared first on Steel City Underground.

Has rookie minicamp addressed Steelers O-line depth?

On May 5, we addressed the topic of the depth along the offensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers and how the team did not utilize the 2025 NFL Draft to eliminate concerns there. Rookie minicamp may have just wrapped up, but there are signs that the Steelers have found some talent to help fill the voids behind their presumed starters on the offensive line.

Per the Steelers, offensive linemen who officially participated in rookie minicamp were as follows:

  • Doug Nestor (OT, West Virginia, 1st year)
  • Steven Jones (G, Oregon, 1st year)
  • Aiden Williams (G, Minnesota-Duluth, R)
  • Ilm Manning (OT, Hawaii, tryout)
  • Keith Ismael (C, San Diego State, tryout)
  • Thomas Perry (G, Middlebury, tryout)
  • Dom Serapiglia (C, Central Michigan, tryout)
  • Gareth Warren (OT, Lindenwood, tryout)

While the Steelers have not officially stated they have signed any of the linemen (as of Sunday evening), there are rumblings that at least one tryout player may have impressed enough to earn a shot at signing with Pittsburgh.

The name being tossed around is Gareth Warren. At 6’5″, 328 pounds the Kailua-Kona (Hawaii) native  began as an offensive guard at Lindenwood before sliding out to left offensive tackle.

Penn Live reported on Sunday afternoon that Warren, who ran a 5.22 40-yard dash, was all-Ohio Valley Conference three seasons in a row. They also stated that the Steelers had signed the Hawaiian, potentially as a tackle.

Rookie Aiden Williams had already signed with the team as of May 9. The Anchorage (Alaska) native was a 2023 NSIC All-Conference second team and helped Minnesota-Duluth rank seventh in rushing in the NCAA.

Both Warren and Williams are considered versatile – something the Steelers always enjoy having on the roster – and powerful in run blocking. Warren’s collegiate statistics indicate he’s formidable in pass defense as well.

With Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook, and Calvin Anderson the only rostered tackles entering minicamp, it’s clear that the addition of Warren would give the Steelers a nice bump in depth, even if he were to be added to the practice squad.

As we said on May 5,

Mini camps and OTAs are going to prove critical testing grounds for Pittsburgh’s current crop of offensive linemen. The team needs to identify skills quickly should they need to reach out for replacements ahead of training camp in the late summer.

Guard is the position with the most depth along the offensive line, so Williams may get caught up onto the practice squad as well.

The final area to watch following rookie minicamp is the center position. With Zach Frazier and Ryan McCollum in place, would Pittsburgh sign Keith Ismael or Dom Serapiglia from minicamp or stand pat with who they have experience with?

There are encouraging signs emerging from minicamp that the Steelers were particular about who they brought in for evaluation. And, if Warren is signed, the team will enter the remainder of their offseason programs much stronger up front on offense.

Has rookie minicamp addressed Steelers O-line depth? appeared first on Steel City Underground.