PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2024 Record - 10-7-0
Head Coach - Mike Tomlin
2024 Offensive Rank - (24th overall) - 319 YPG; Passing - 192 YPG (27th), Rushing - 127 YPG (11th); SCORING - 22.4 PPG (16th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (12th overall) - 327 YPG; Passing - 228 YPG (25th), Rushing - 99 YPG (6th); SCORING - 20.4 PPG (8th)
Key Additions for 2025 - Aaron Rodgers (QB), DK Metcalf (WR), Jalen Ramsey (DB), Darius Slay (DB), Jonnu Smith (TE), Kenneth Gainwell (RB), Daniel Ekuale (DL)
Key Losses for 2025 - Russell Wilson (QB), Justin Fields (QB), Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB), Donte Jackson (DB), Najee Harris (RB), Van Jefferson (WR), George Pickens (WR), Dan Moore (OL), Larry Ogunjobi (DL), Preston Smith (LB), Elandon Roberts (LB)
OFFENSE - Future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers takes over for the Steelers this season. In 2024 with the New York Jets, he passed for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and eleven interceptions. The running backs are Jaylen Warren, who had 511 rushing yards (4.3 YPC) and one touchdown last season and also had 38 receptions for 310 yards. Kenneth Gainwell comes to the team from Philadelphia to be the backup. DK Metcalf (66 receptions, 992 yards, five TD with Seattle) will be the top wide receiver while others include Calvin Austin III (36, 548, four TD), Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson. The tight ends are Pat Freiermuth (65, 653, seven TD) and Jonnu Smith, who had 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns with Miami in 2024.
DEFENSE - Cameron Heyward (eight sacks), Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton man the defensive front line in Pittsburgh while All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt (11 1/2 sacks) teams with Patrick Queen (team high 129 tackles), Alex Highsmith (six sacks) and Payton Wilson in the front seven. The secondary has Jalen Ramsey (three interceptions with Miami) at cornerback along with Joey Porter, Jr., Beanie Bishop, Jr. (four INT) and Darius Slay. The safeties are DeShon Elliott (108 tackles) and Juan Thornhill. Chuck Clark and Miles Killebrew add depth in the secondary.
OUTLOOK - It's been lather, rinse, repeat for the Steelers in recent years as they finish with a winning record and then quietly exit early in the AFC playoffs and Head Coach Mike Tomlin is looking for different results in 2025 as Aaron Rodgers comes to town to play quarterback. At 41 years old, it remains to be seen how much Rodgers has left in the tank, but he did put up solid numbers with the Jets last year after missing the 2023 season with an Achilles injury. The running game will feature Jaylen Warren after last year's leading rusher Najee Harris left for the L.A. Chargers in the off-season. Better pass protection this year would be a plus as well as Rodgers is nowhere near as mobile as he used to be.
The Steelers signature throughout their history has been strong defense and they were solid last year, finishing with a plus-16 in turnovers (2nd most in the NFL) with 17 interceptions and 40 sacks while allowing under 100 rushing yards per game. There will be a few new faces in the secondary with cornerback Jalen Ramsey coming over in the trade for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and two other new corners on board. The Steelers can challenge Baltimore and Cincinnati for the AFC North title if Rodgers and the offense can provide more scoring this season. They will be looking to get a playoff spot for the fifth time in six seasons, but even if they do make it, it's a roll of the dice how far they can go in January.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - at N.Y. Jets
Week Two - vs. Seattle
Week Three - at New England
Week Four - vs. Minnesota (Dublin, Ireland)
Week Five - BYE
Week Six - vs. Cleveland
Week Seven - at Cincinnati
Week Eight - vs. Green Bay
Week Nine - vs. Indianapolis
Week Ten - at L.A. Chargers
Week Eleven - vs. Cincinnati
Week Twelve - at Chicago
Week Thirteen - vs. Buffalo
Week Fourteen - at Baltimore
Week Fifteen - vs. Miami
Week Sixteen - at Detroit
Week Seventeen - at Cleveland
Week Eighteen - vs. Baltimore
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