Legendary Steelers coach Chuck Noll once said, “Respectability? Who wants to be respectable? That’s spoken like a true loser.”
With the Steelers mere days away from starting their 2025 season, we at Behind the Steel Curtain thought it would be fun to get some of our staff members’ final thoughts and predictions out and share them all in one place with you. Each season is full of twists and turns, and almost always has a few surprises that no one sees coming. So with Noll’s quote in mind, we present
to you our final takes from the summer that will surely age like milk.
Which Steeler are you most excited to watch in 2025?
Jarrett Bailey: Aaron Rodgers.
Ryland Bickley: Jalen Ramsey. He’s such a talented, aggressive, and versatile addition to the Pittsburgh secondary. He’ll be a massive upgrade over the uninspiring nickel play the Steelers have endured for years, and his ability to play on the boundary as well as at free safety should open the door to more creative looks from the Pittsburgh defense.
Joey Bray: Aaron Rodgers. Never in a million years did I think that I would see Rodgers put on a Steelers jersey. While this very well may be Rodgers’ final run in the NFL, I still think he has plenty left in the tank. He is undoubtedly the best quarterback the Steelers have had since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Rodgers has done nothing but buy in and embrace Pittsburgh and the team since signing in June. He is more than capable of bringing the city its first playoff win in nearly a decade with this roster.
Ryan Parish: Derrick Harmon. As a lifelong fan of the Oregon Ducks – my parents met on campus – I’m excited to watch one of my favorite Ducks continue his career on my favorite team. An injury sustained during the preseason will delay that for at least Week 1, but Harmon will hopefully be the next great defensive lineman for the Steelers.
Alex Hanczar: Payton Wilson. After an impressive rookie campaign that saw the NC State product go for 78 total tackles, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and an interception, his sophomore season comes with plenty of intrigue. Now surrounded by an experienced defense that includes veteran Cole Holcomb breathing down Wilson’s neck at the Steelers’ LB position, the 25-year-old could be in for a big year.
What is the most interesting storyline for this year’s team?
RB: How does Aaron Rodgers’ style of play mesh with the rest of his offense? He prefers a spread-out passing game, but Arthur Smith is known for a tight end-heavy, run-first scheme. Rodgers likes detail-oriented receivers, which has never been D.K. Metcalf’s calling card. And beyond that, what is the 41-year-old quarterback still capable of? There’s a world where Smith draws up an offense that works for all, but an equal chance it blows up in everyone’s face.
JBr: It has to be all of the moves they made this offseason. What did they do all of this for, and will it pay off? Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, Jalen Ramsey, and Darius Slay were all added to the team. All of those moves signal a team that believes it can go far this year. The goal is far beyond just winning a playoff game. Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, and the rest of the organization truly believe that they can win the Super Bowl. Whether or not they can is a different argument. How far will these moves actually take them, and what does it mean for the future of this team?
RP: The storyline with the greatest reach is undoubtedly the Steelers’ young offensive line. If the Aaron Rodgers experiment works, the line will undoubtedly have a large influence on that result. Regardless of how 2025 goes, the Steelers could be set up for a long time if all of their young linemen develop into plus-starters: Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, and Zach Frazier are each 24 years old, and Mason McCormick is 25. If they struggle, that could throw a massive wrench in the Steelers’ future teambuilding plans. That wouldn’t be ideal for a team that should be on the hunt for a young quarterback in the immediate future, and could turn the pressure up on Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan.
AH: Will General Manager Omar Khan’s “all-in” philosophy pay off? Without a doubt, the 2025 offseason has been the most active in terms of transactions made by the Steelers in quite some time. Acquiring storied veterans, drafting intriguing young playmakers, and all while re-signing key players makes for a make-or-break 2025 season for Pittsburgh.
JB: Can the Steelers avoid yet another collapse late in the season? Their schedule is set up favorably. They should be able to start somewhere in the range of 4-1 in their first five games, but can they remain consistent? If Rodgers plays well and the defense can maintain a high level of play, they can win a good number of games and put themselves in a better playoff position.
Give your boldest, most oddly specific Steelers prediction.
RP: Darnell Washington will out-snap the Steelers’ more prolific receiving tight ends, Pat Friermuth and Jonnu Smith.
JBr: Aaron Rodgers throws for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns for the first time since 2021. I think fans will be pleasantly surprised with the pass catchers this team has. DK Metcalf will more than likely lead the team in receiving yards, but with multiple capable tight ends and emerging players in Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin, Rodgers will be able to spread the ball around.
AH: The Steelers finish the season with an 11-6 record, earning them second place in the AFC North. Their placement earns the black and gold the No. 5 position in the AFC, giving them a Wild Card weekend meeting with the Houston Texans. After an eight-year playoff victory drought, Pittsburgh defeats the Texans 28-24 before falling in the Divisional round to one of the AFC’s top-three teams: Buffalo, Kansas City, or Baltimore.
JB: T.J. Watt wins Defensive Player of the Year after recording 20 sacks, joining his brother J.J. as the only two players in NFL history to have 20 sacks in a season on two separate occasions.
RB: Calvin Austin III records 50-plus receptions and a handful of 100-yard games. I don’t think it’ll be a 1,000-yard season for Austin, but he’s a player ready-made for Aaron Rodgers’ quick game passing concepts and occasional shots downfield. I’ve predicted for a while that the lightning-quick Austin will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Pittsburgh’s new quarterback, and I’ll double down on it here.
Who will be the team MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Offensive Player of the Year?
AH: Watt remains the most valuable defensive player not only on the Steelers but in the NFL alike. With that sentiment, Watt finishes as the team’s MVP, giving them a chance to win week in and week out. Offensively, Rodgers will come in as a knowledgeable leader and guide the offense all season long. The four-time MVP’s veteran prowess will lead both younger and seasoned Steelers to some of their best NFL seasons yet.
RP: The team MVP better be Rodgers, or this might be an unpleasant season. At DPOY, I think Jalen Ramsey’s versatility will allow him to generate turnovers and set a career high in sacks. For OPOY, I’ll select Kaleb Johnson.
JB: Watt will be MVP and DPOY, but I’d throw Jalen Ramsey in the conversation for DPOY. I’ll say DK Metcalf for offensive player.
RB: T.J. Watt should continue to be the team’s MVP and DPOY until his play starts to noticeably drop off with age (I think he still has several high-end years left). The OPOY discussion is wide open; I think a large portion of the offense will run through D.K. Metcalf, who is also the team’s most talented skill position player. He’ll be my pick to open the season.
JBr: The Steelers’ MVP and offensive player of the year will be Aaron Rodgers. If Rodgers can reach 4,000 yards passing and throw for 30 touchdowns like I mentioned above, then he should be the easy choice here. T.J. Watt will cruise to being the Steelers’ defensive player of the year. Coming off a fresh new contract, Watt should again be the centerpiece on one of the NFL’s premier defenses.
Who will be the Steelers’ Rookie of the Year?
RB: Assuming Derrick Harmon only misses a game or two with his current injury, he has a clear path to winning this award. He’s already a starter and showed he has what it takes to play bully ball in the trenches over the preseason. He’ll be more of a disruptor than a stat sheet stuffer to start his career, but his game should improve over the course of the year.
JB: I’ll go with a dark horse and say Yahya Black. He and Derrick Harmon should both have strong seasons, but his preseason dominance has fans excited.
AH: Once Steelers third-string running back Kaleb Johnson earns his spot; he will be a massive piece in Pittsburgh’s offense. As both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell have never taken reps as RB1 in the NFL, the job is Johnson’s for the taking. With a few weeks to prove his worth, look for the rookie to show his capability and earn rookie of the year with the club.
JBr: I have to go with the chalk pick here and take Derrick Harmon. Like Ryland said, if Harmon only misses a game or two as it is being reported, he should cruise to being the Steelers’ most impactful rookie this season. Knowing how the Steelers like to ease their rookies in, it should tell you a lot that Harmon was immediately listed as a starter.
RP: Big fan of Yahya Black and Derrick Harmon, but they’ll be tasked with a lot of dirty work that often is underappreciated. Kaleb Johnson should have an easy track to the award, especially if he can score double-digit touchdowns and/or eclipse 1,000 scrimmage yards.
What’s the Steelers’ final record, and do they make the playoffs?
JB: 11-6 with the top wild card spot, meaning they’ll likely travel to the home of the AFC South winner.
RP: 10-7 and the sixth seed. I want to believe they get to the divisional round, but I think the offense will still cap the team’s overall ceiling.
RB: I’m expecting 10-7 with the usual helping of shock-the-world wins and fire-Tomlin losses. They’ll earn a wild card spot.
JBr: I have the Steelers finishing with an 11-6 overall record and making the playoffs. Admittedly, I am scared to be this confident in the team going into the season. I have gone into the previous several seasons with tempered expectations, but this one feels different. I believe in the offseason additions the team made. Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, DK Metcalf, and Jonnu Smith signal the team has every intention to win now. This time really does feel different for the Steelers; this is the best roster, at least on paper, since Ben Roethlisberger retired. This team is far too talented not to make the playoffs, and should have a legitimate shot to win a playoff game. Anything else should be considered a failure.
AH: At an 11-6 record, the Steelers finish the season strong as the AFC’s fifth seed and earn a berth into the 2025 postseason. In 2024, Pittsburgh collapsed towards the end of the season with one of the NFL’s toughest schedules. Their inability to perform in big games plagued their playoff outing and their season as a whole. With veteran leadership on both sides of the ball, and Mike Tomlin’s unrest over the last few seasons, the Steelers get over the hump and win their first playoff game in over eight years.
What will be the final standings in the AFC North?
RB: 1. Ravens (12-5) 2. Steelers (10-7) 3. Bengals (10-7) 4. Browns (5-12).
The Ravens and Steelers’ results don’t require much explanation. The Bengals haven’t exactly gotten better from last year, but I expect Cincinnati and its elite offense to get off to a slightly faster start in 2025. The Browns have a good enough defense to mud wrestle their way to a handful of wins, but nowhere near enough offense to escape contending for the first overall pick in ’26.
JB: 1. Ravens (11-6) 2. Steelers (11-6) 3. Bengals (10-7) 4. Browns (5-12)
JBr: 1. Ravens (12-5) 2. Steelers (11-6) 3. Bengals (7-10) 4. Browns (4-13)
The Ravens are one of the premier rosters in the league with the best dual-threat quarterback to ever play the game. Until something drastically changes, Baltimore should be in Super Bowl contention. I do believe the Steelers have all of the tools to be right on their heels and give them a run for their money. I am lower on Cincinnati than most. Burrow and Chase will be amazing, but that defense is going to be the reason they fall short yet again. Cleveland will be a dumpster fire, but I won’t be able to look away. Whoever they start at QB on any given week will make for interesting television if nothing else.
RP: 1. Ravens (13-4) 2. Steelers (10-7) 3. Bengals (9-8) 4. Browns (4-13)
AH: 1. Ravens (12-5) 2. Steelers (11-6) 3. Bengals (10-7) 4. Browns (4-13).
The AFC North does not get easier for Pittsburgh as Baltimore remains a powerhouse, and Cincinnati has somewhat of a bounce-back season. Along with that, Cleveland consistently poses a threat to any team in the division, especially with Myles Garrett back for more. While it will be difficult, I believe the Steelers will split with both Baltimore and Cincinnati and enact revenge on Cleveland from their split a season ago, sweeping the Browns in 2025.
NFL predictions
Surprise team that’s better than expected?
RP: I’ve been liking the trend of the past two Titans drafts, their division is a clownhouse, and Cam Ward seems to check a lot of boxes as both an athlete and a leader. Honorable mention to the Patriots and Drake Maye.
AH: The Carolina Panthers had a tremendous offseason, adding a plethora of new weapons for third-year quarterback Bryce Young. This includes the eighth overall pick from the 2025 Draft, Tetairoa McMillan. With Young looking more poised towards the end of 2024, look for the Panthers to compete in a stingy, yet unpredictable NFC South.
RB: I want to say the Raiders, but even a better-than-expected Las Vegas team will struggle to make a splash in a tough AFC West. I’ll go with a bolder pick: the Jacksonville Jaguars. In a weak AFC South, they should be able to contend for a wild card spot behind the Texans. I still think Trevor Lawrence is a solid quarterback, and new head coach Liam Cohen, who was incredible in Tampa Bay, should give the offense a much-needed boost. Plus, the receiver combination of Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter should be a fun one.
JB: The New England Patriots. They’ll get the final wild card spot in the AFC
JBr: The Chicago Bears will win the NFC North this season. I am all in on a second-year leap from Caleb Williams, with Ben Johnson getting to use his talents to their fullest. Chicago has more weapons than you could ever use on offense, and quietly is building one of the best defensive units in the league. Now that Williams has his head coach, the sky is the limit for this team.
Who wins the league MVP?
JB: It’s never a bad bet going with the big four quarterbacks, so I’ll say Joe Burrow. I’ve gone back and forth with him and am taking a dark horse in Jordan Love, but I land on Burrow, who could end up throwing for 50 touchdowns this season.
AH: After showing out and coming up empty-handed on several remarks a season ago, I will echo Jarrett’s statement that Joe Burrow earns the 2025 NFL MVP. An awful Bengals defense plagued the superstar QB in 2024, something he will not take lightly. That said, the Bengals will be at least slightly improved, leading to Burrow’s inevitable hardware.
JBr: Go ahead and doubt Patrick Mahomes. I will never be the guy to do that. In fact, Mahomes will capture his third MVP award this season. Coming off a Super Bowl loss and what was considered a “down year” for him, I think Mahomes will bounce back in a big way. Once again, he will show everyone why he is one of the best to ever play the game.
RB: Like Jarrett said, going with the big four at quarterback is the safest bet. After Josh Allen won the award last year, the pendulum should swing back in favor of Lamar Jackson to win his third career MVP. He had an unreal season last year that was only beaten by another unreal season by Allen.
RP: How about I throw out an up-and-comer? Give me year two of the Jayden Daniels experience.
Who are the NFL OPOY and DPOY?
RB: OPOY: WR Ja’Marr Chase. DPOY: EDGE Will Anderson Jr.
Last year was the year of the running back, but I expect Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry to cool down just a tad after their high-volume workloads in 2024. That opens the door for Chase, who is primed for another massive season as the Bengals are built like a team that needs to score 40 points to win most games.
Anderson is a dart throw among the many DPOY-caliber edge rushers in the modern NFL. He’s still just 24 years old and coming off an 11-sack season on one of the NFL’s ascending defenses.
AH: OPOY: RB Bijan Robinson. DPOY: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson.
Robinson was already having an impressive 2024 campaign with Kirk Cousins at the helm, then the team looked to rookie Michael Penix Jr., and the Texas alum improved even more. In the three games where Penix Jr. started, Robinson rushed for over 90 yards and had at least two receptions in each outing. With Penix Jr. named as the starter for 2025, look for Robinson to continue breaking out.
In terms of Hutchinson, the Lions EDGE was on pace to be DPOY a season ago prior to his tragic injury. Now that the star defender is back and Detroit remains a powerhouse, Hutchinson will finish what he started in 2024.
JBr: OPOY: Jahmyr Gibbs. DPOY: Micah Parsons.
Gibbs is coming off a season where he eclipsed over 1,900 total yards and scored 20 touchdowns. The Lions are reportedly going to feature him even more over David Montgomery this season. Although Ben Johnson is gone, Gibbs will establish himself as perhaps the best running back in the league by the end of the season.
Awards like DPOY are narrative-driven; Steelers fans can attest to that, as T.J. Watt should probably have a few more DPOY trophies in his case. No bigger narrative will be pushed this season than for Micah Parsons, who puts Green Bay in Super Bowl contention by himself. If Parsons can replicate his Dallas production of about 14 sacks, and make a few splash plays, he will earn his first DPOY award.
RP: OPOY: WR Drake London. DPOY: Aidan Hutchinson.
OPOY has become the non-quarterback award that usually goes to either a running back who had an all-time great season – think Saquon Barkley edging out triple-crown winner Ja’Marr Chase last year – or the wide receiver with the best numbers. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix loves to huck it all over the field, and the Atlanta defense remains suspect. I expect a heavy volume of passes for London.
As for DPOY, it has trended towards going to the pass rushers with the most sacks or the cornerback that most believe to be the best in a given year. After seeing the tear Hutchinson was on to start last year, and pairing that with his comeback from injury narrative, I can see Hutchinson taking home the award.
JB: OPOY: WR Brian Thomas Jr. DPOY: EDGE T.J. Watt.
Coach of the Year?
JBr: Ben Johnson. I will stand on my take about the Chicago Bears. I believe Johnson will be looked at much like Shanahan and McVay are, as one of the brightest minds in football. If the Bears win their division like I predict they will, Johnson will run away with this award.
RB: Based on my earlier prediction, I should go Liam Cohen, but I’m not confident enough to double down on any take that requires relying on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Instead, I’ll go with Ben Johnson in Chicago. As others have mentioned, NFL awards are narrative driven. Johnson is already a media darling, and if he can make a surprisingly talented Bears offense look anything like the 2024 Lions, the votes should come pouring in.
JB: Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
AH: Whether or not the Chicago Bears earn a postseason bid in 2025, they will be much improved thanks to first-year head coach Ben Johnson. Johnson helped the Lions to their best season in franchise history in 2024 along with making 30-year-old Jared Goff an MVP candidate as the team’s offensive coordinator. Last season, the Bears’ offense was a disaster, something that took headlines this offseason in relation to QB Caleb Williams, who will undoubtedly be better in 2025 as well.
RP: Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots. This award usually goes to a coach in their first year in a new job who outperforms expectations. The Patriots have a schedule that makes 10 wins seem doable. If they sneak into the playoffs after picking in the top five of the draft for two straight seasons, Vrabel should find himself right in the mix for this award.
What’s your Super Bowl matchup and winner?
AH: Lions 27, Chiefs 24.
The Packers adding Micah Parsons to an already stout defense makes them an intriguing shout at going back to the Super Bowl. However, their divisional foe, the Detroit Lions, are in dire need of a better postseason showing, and I believe they get that, punching their ticket to the 2026 dance. In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs uphold their playoff supremacy, avoiding all their strong conference opponents once again. This time, the city of Detroit rejoices, defeating Mahomes.
JB: Bills defeat Packers.
RP: Chiefs defeat the Lions.
The Chiefs become the first team since the ’90s Bills to make four straight Super Bowls. Travis Kelce’s fiancée performs the halftime show, and then the tight end rides off into NFL retirement. The Lions manage to reach the postseason healthier this year, stay explosive on offense even without Ben Johnson, and find a way to slay the Eagles juggernaut in the conference championship game. Unfortunately for Lions fans, and America at large, Sisyphus once again watches the stone roll right back down the hill, and the Chiefs hoist the Lombardi for the fourth time in seven years.
RB: Chiefs defeat Eagles.
I badly want to predict some new names here. But can I trust anyone in the NFC to beat the Eagles? And which AFC team has proven they can beat Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs? Boring pick, I know – but Eagles-Chiefs rematch in the Super Bowl. With Rashee Rice back and a promising rookie left tackle in Josh Simmons, Kansas City wins another ring.
JBr: Chiefs defeat Commanders.
I expect Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to be on a revenge tour this season. While many think this is the year Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen finally break through and make it to the big game, I just can’t bet against Mahomes. Mahomes will face the young prodigy in Jayden Daniels. The sophomore slump fears number 5 in Washington. The magic may carry the Commanders all the way to San Francisco, but it won’t be enough as an experienced and angry Chiefs team wins. Mahomes will capture his fourth ring and third MVP in the same season.
