The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a surprising offseason based on their history. There are plenty of moves to discuss for a team that is looking to snap its playoff losing streak. Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. Will their moves be enough to push the team over the hump and contend for the division title again? Let’s jump into it!
Pittsburgh Steelers 2024-2025 Recap
Last season was a story of peaks and valleys for Pittsburgh. After a 10-3 start to the season, they ended the regular season on a four-game losing streak, as well as getting destroyed by the Baltimore Ravens in the wildcard round. With the once dominant defense not getting any younger, changes needed to happen, and boy, were there.
Offseason Aquisitions
This organization has been built through the development of our talent from within. This offseason was different. Pittsburgh traded their young, talented receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, then acquired DK Metcalf from the Seahawks. In an attempt to make a “splash move”, after letting both QBs that started last season walk, the Steelers signed future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal, and that wasn’t even the most shocking move they made.
After acquiring DK and Rodgers, they traded away one of the pillars of their defense for the past six seasons, Minkah Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh shipped Fitzpatrick back to the team that drafted him, the Miami Dolphins, for CB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith. They also signed Super Bowl Champion CB Darius Slay. You trade away one of the core players on your team for another weapon for Rodgers and two good CBs, but slightly past their primes. Interesting moves indeed.
Let’s turn to the draft. With their first pick, 21st overall, they selected DT Derrick Harmon out of Oregon. The Steelers didn’t have a second-round pick because of the Metcalf trade, so with their third-round pick, they drafted RB Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa to replace Najee Harris, who they let walk out the door. They received solid value in drafting DE Jack Sawyer and QB Will Howard in the 4th and 6th rounds—which concluded a solid draft class.
Offseason Losses
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost plenty of talent this offseason. Pittsburgh let both QBs they signed last offseason, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields walk, as well as RB Harris, OG James Daniels, and OT Dan Moore Jr. On the defensive side of the ball, Pittsburgh lost LB Elandon Roberts, DL Larry Ogunjobi, and CB Donte Jackson.
Good things don’t usually brew from losing that amount of talent in a short amount of time. As some people have said, change is good. However, when there is this much turnaround, the pendulum of power will swing in one of two directions.
Opinion of the Steelers’ Offseason
As a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, I was shocked by the number of trades and moves that this organization made. For a franchise that has been so “old-fashioned,” this is either the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end. Head coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season and isn’t in line to start anytime soon.
Combining a great coach and an all-time outstanding QB has been the recipe for success for other teams. The conversation on how the season will pan out is a story for a different time, but with the season around the corner, that story will take place sooner rather than later.
Final Thoughts
This is an exciting time to be a fan of the Steelers. Making these moves has put an emphasis on the immediate future, one to two years at most. If this team can win its first playoff game since 2016, it will be a step in the right direction. However, it delays the inevitable reset this franchise ultimately needs. Go young at QB and either boom or bust. Since their last playoff win, the Steelers have been an above-average team but not good enough to contend for the Super Bowl. With this two-year window, it’s now or never.
As always, thank you so much for checking out my recap and review of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason moves! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! We hope you’re enjoying your day, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.
