Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
Offensive Coordinator: Arthur Smith
Defensive Coordinator: Teryl Austin
Special Teams Coordinator: Danny Smith
Key Additions
QB Aaron Rodgers RB Kaleb Johnson (3rd Rd, 83rd Overall) RB Kenneth
Gainwell WR D.K. Metcalf TE Jonnu Smith DL Derrick Harmon (1st Rd, 21st Overall) DL Daniel Ekuale DL Yahya Black (5th Rd, 164th Overall) EDGE Jack Sawyer (4th Rd, 123rd Overall) LB Malik Harrison CB Darius Slay CB Jalen Ramsey CB Brandin Echols S Juan Thornhill S Chuck Clark
Key Losses
QB Russell Wilson
QB Justin Fields
RB Najee Harris
WR George Pickens
WR Van Jefferson
TE MyCole Pruitt
LT Dan Moore Jr.
DL Larry Ogunjobi
LB Elandon Roberts
CB Donte Jackson
CB Cameron Sutton
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
S Damontae Kazee
The 2024 Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers opened their 2024 season on a strong note, winning their first three games against the Falcons, Broncos, and Chargers — their first 3–0 start since 2020. Their defense set the tone early, holding opponents to 10 points or fewer in each contest and showcasing the trademark toughness that has long defined Mike Tomlin’s teams. The early success gave fans hope that Pittsburgh could reassert itself as one of the AFC’s top contenders after a few years of inconsistency.
Justin Fields started the season as the starting quarterback with Russell Wilson, former Seahawks and Broncos quarterback, nursing a calk injury through the first six weeks. As the season progressed, the Steelers faced some adversity but managed to keep themselves in the playoff mix with Fields and Wilson.
A narrow loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4 snapped their unbeaten streak, but the team responded well and climbed to a 10–3 record by early December. At that point, they looked like one of the more balanced and disciplined teams in the conference with Kansas City, Buffalo, and Baltimore.
Offensively, the Steelers were efficient but unspectacular, averaging 22.4 points per game, right in the middle of the league. Russell Wilson, who made his first start in week seven, started the remainder of the season and threw 16 touchdowns, while Justin Fields contributed 10 total touchdowns in his starts.
The offense leaned heavily on its ground game and heavier personnel groupings, reflecting a run-first philosophy that often limited explosive plays but helped control the clock. Still, the unit’s inconsistency on third downs and red-zone inefficiency prevented it from taking the next step. The offense ranked 20th overall in EPA/play (19th in passing efficiency, 24th in run game efficiency).
The defense remained the Steelers’ backbone throughout the year. The unit ranked in the top half of the league in points allowed and excelled at generating turnovers, finishing with 33 takeaways. T.J. Watt continued to anchor the pass rush with another double-digit sack season, while Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joey Porter Jr. helped stabilize the secondary.
Even as injuries mounted late in the year, the defense kept the team competitive in most games, often compensating for the offense’s lack of production.The defense ranked 9th overall in EPA/play (8th versus the pass, 17th versus the run).
However, the season’s promising start unraveled down the stretch. The Steelers lost their final four regular-season games, falling to 10–7 and finishing second in the AFC North. The slump carried into the playoffs, where they were eliminated in the Wild Card round by the Baltimore Ravens, 28–14. The late-season collapse turned what could have been a special year into another frustrating ending, extending the franchise’s playoff win drought.
Looking ahead, the Steelers faced critical offseason decisions, particularly at quarterback. Both Wilson and Fields showed flashes but failed to cement themselves as the long-term answer. The roster, one of the league’s older groups, required an infusion of youth and speed on both sides of the ball. The 2024 team was a gritty, well-coached squad that battled every week but couldn’t find the offensive spark to make a deep playoff run.
2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 season has begun with renewed optimism and tangible improvement. Through five games, they hold a 4–2 record and sit atop the AFC North, showing early signs of balance and resilience. The team has scored 150 points while allowing 140, averaging 23.8 points per game on offense and surrendering 21.4 on defense.
While their scoring output ranks around league average, the efficiency on both sides of the ball has translated into wins. Their offense has produced 1,389 total yards, including 553 on the ground and 1,033 through the air, though their 38.6% third-down conversion rate remains an area for improvement. However, it hasn’t translated to even league average efficiency. The Steelers currently sit at 24th overall in EPA/play (19th in the pass, 24th in run game efficiency).
Aaron Rodgers’ arrival has somewhat elevated the offense, adding experience to a previously uncertain quarterback position. Rodgers has thrown for 1,270 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions in his first six games as a Steeler, including a thrilling comeback win over the Jets in Week 1 and a four touchdown performance in a week 7 loss to the Bengals.
Running back Jaylen Warren has emerged as the lead back and continues to contribute effectively despite battling a knee injury. Rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon has impressed early, showing flashes of dominance and improving the interior run defense, while T. J. Watt remains the cornerstone of the defense after signing a record extension in the offseason.
Statistically, the Steelers have positioned themselves well within their division. However, divisional games have been tightly contested — most notably, their 33–31 loss to the Bengals, which underscored how razor-thin the margins are in the AFC North.
The Ravens and Bengals continue to loom as threats with Lamar Jackson coming back and the Bengals recently trading for Joe Flacco in Joe Burrow’s absence, Pittsburgh’s defense may still be the best in the division and help propel them into the postseason.
The defense has done an excellent job keeping opponents out of the end zone, as seen in the convincing 23–9 win over Cleveland, which showcased their ability to control games even when the offense isn’t firing on all cylinders. The mix of veteran stability and youthful energy has created one of the most balanced Steeler rosters in recent memory. They struggled in week 7 versus the elite pass catching duo Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, as teams often do, including the Packers recently.
However, weaknesses persist that could determine whether they sustain their early success. The rushing attack, averaging roughly 84 yards per game, ranks near the bottom of the league, and the team’s third-down efficiency remains inconsistent. These issues have occasionally stalled drives and put added pressure on Rodgers to deliver in high-leverage moments.
Injuries, particularly to depth players on both sides of the ball, also pose a potential risk as the season progresses. With a difficult upcoming schedule featuring multiple playoff contenders, the Steelers will need to tighten their execution in key situations to hold their divisional lead.
Final thoughts
The 2025 Steelers are a team trying to break through a plateau that has eluded them since they won the Super Bowl over a decade ago. They’re a balanced, well-coached, team beginning finding their rhythm under new field leadership. The defense remains their calling card, while the offense, though still finding its identity, has shown enough firepower to win meaningful games.
If Pittsburgh can improve its efficiency on the ground and maintain Rodgers’ health and chemistry with his playmakers, the franchise could finally break through in the AFC North. For now, their 4–2 start has rekindled belief in a team that looks capable of returning to playoff relevance — and perhaps even contending for something more substantial as the season unfolds.
They face the Packers though, every bit as eager to show who they are and what their identity is: also a tough, gritty team willing to do whatever it takes to pull out a close win. And they’ll certainly be eager to get a shot at their former star quarterback on Sunday Night Football.
