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As the 2025 NFL season rapidly approaches, Steelers Nation is buzzing with high hopes as the team prepares to report to Saint Vincent College in one week for another installment of their yearly training camp.
Last season, the Steelers started strong but ultimately fizzled out. By Week 14, the Steelers looked like contenders with a 10-3 record, with their only losses coming against the Colts, Cowboys, and Ravens. However, the end of the regular season proved to be a disaster. They dropped their final four games to the Eagles, Ravens, Chiefs, and Bengals, finishing with a 10-7 record—identical to their 2023 campaign.
Despite the late-season collapse, the Steelers still snuck into the playoffs, only to be knocked out in the Wild Card round by their AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. The betting markets currently list the Steelers at 50/1 to win Super Bowl LXI, suggesting it would take a minor miracle for them to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
General Manager Omar Khan will be looking for significant progress in 2025, and he’ll be counting on key players to step up and deliver. Here are some of the names fans should be excited to see when camp opens next week.
Aaron Rodgers
While not a long-term solution, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is set to lead the Steelers this season. The 41-year-old’s arrival from the New York Jets hasn’t been met with universal acclaim from the fanbase. However, his experience and skill set clearly made him an attractive option for a one-year deal.
Rodgers is slated to earn at least $13.65 million, with an additional $10 million available in performance-based incentives. He’s already indicated that this is likely his final season in the NFL, and if he can stay healthy, he’ll undoubtedly be looking to go out on a high note. How he interacts with his new teammates and coaching staff will be watched by everyone in the coming weeks.
D.K. Metcalf
The Steelers have made a significant move, trading for wide receiver D.K. Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. It’s clear the front office sees Metcalf as a long-term cornerstone, as he was immediately handed a four-year extension worth an estimated $132 million upon signing in March. This means fans can expect to see him in the Black and Gold for the foreseeable future.
Metcalf was seen as a much more consistent and reliable option than George Pickens, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys last month. Pittsburgh hopes Metcalf will provide a substantial upgrade in his place as a true WR1.
Now instead of watching clips of Metcalf working out with Rodgers, fans hope to see some fireworks as the two connect in Latrobe.
Jonnu Smith
The Steelers added a significant asset in tight end Jonnu Smith, in a huge trade with the Miami Dolphins several weeks ago. Smith’s all-around versatility makes him a valuable pickup. Beyond his skills as a tight end, he brings excellent blocking abilities, and he’s a proven receiving threat, which could open up new possibilities for the offense.
Last season with the Dolphins, Smith had a standout year, hauling in 88 passes for 884 yards and scoring eight touchdowns across 17 games.
Averaging 10 yards per catch, he also set multiple new franchise records for tight ends in Miami, including single-season receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. This kind of production and versatility will be a huge boost for the Steelers’ offense.
This will be Smith’s third time playing for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, with the latter reportedly emphasizing physicality this coming season that the former will be more than able to provide. When the pads go on during the second week of camp, it’ll be intriguing to see how Smith operates during contact drills.
Ben Skowronek
The Steelers re-signed Ben Skowronek this March, adding an interesting player to the wide receiver room who was an afterthought until he wasn’t.
Added late to the team last August following camp cuts, Skowronek landed on IR to start the season before carving out a role on offense and special teams. Skowronek is a player who doesn’t shy away from the dirty work when the situation demands it, and could be a wild card in Arthur Smith’s physically demanding offense.
The reason Skowronek is a name we highlighted here is that Metcalf will receive all of the attention, but a veteran will likely step in for when he or Robert Woods aren’t on the field. A lot of the focus will be on Calvin Austin, who started last season, and Roman Wilson, who was injured for nearly all of 2024 as a rookie. Austin will be on the hunt for the WR2 job, but Skowronek will have his name in the hat for significant reps that the smaller Austin and Wilson may not be suitable for.
Kaleb Johnson
The Steelers’ third-round pick from Iowa in the 2025 NFL Draft, running back Kaleb Johnson, is poised to make a significant impact in his rookie season. His electrifying combination of speed, power, and exceptional game awareness is expected to be a game-changer for the Steelers’ offense.
Opposing defenders will need to be on high alert for Johnson, who can hit top speeds of up to 22 miles per hour once he breaks into the open field.
Last season at Iowa, with strong downfield blocking from his teammates, Johnson had 21 carries of 20 yards or more, ranking him second best in the entire FBS. Get ready to see this young back make some noise at Saint Vincent’s and throughout the preseason, as his reps will be maximized throughout July and August.
Jalen Ramsey
Another key acquisition from the Miami Dolphins, Jalen Ramsey, is set to bolster the Steelers’ defense. Now 30 years old, Ramsey might be slightly past his absolute prime, but he still possesses the talent and experience to play a crucial role.
As a cornerback, he offers exceptional versatility, capable of excelling in various positions within the secondary. This is a distinct advantage he holds over others on the roster, including Darius Slay and Joey Porter, so all eyes will be on how the Steelers exploit his ability to play multiple roles.
Also be ready for some viral social media clips when Ramsey and Metcalf lineup across from one another in a battle of newcomers.
Cole Holcomb
Last but not least, Cole Holcomb was a prized free agent signing during General Manager Omar Khan’s first season. The starting inside linebacker quickly became the defensive quarterback for the Steelers, truly hitting his stride in November 2023 before a knee injury sidelined him for the rest of that season and unfortunately kept him out of the entire 2024 campaign.
After adjusting his contract in the offseason, Holcomb is making a return to the Steelers. His exceptional talent could elevate the Steelers’ linebackers into one of the most dynamic groups in the NFL.
Which Steelers should fans keep tabs on during training camp? appeared first on Steel City Underground.