Is the Steelers 2025 roster better than the 2024 version?
The Pittsburgh Steelers, along with all NFL teams, have undergone some serious changes during the offseason, but as teams prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft, it is important to see how the roster is shaping up at this juncture of the offseason.
In other words, has the roster improved, remained the same, or gotten worse?
To answer this question, it’s important to take a fine-toothed comb over the changes which have been made throughout the offseason, and that’s exactly what we’ll examine before drawing our over-arching conclusion.
Let’s start this exercise…
Offense
Offensive Line
Players Lost:
- Dan Moore Jr.
- James Daniels
- Nate Herbig
Players Gained/Retained:
- Calvin Anderson
- Lecitus Smith
I have been a loud proponent of the Steelers getting younger along the offensive line, which they’ve done, but I’m also concerned about whether this team has answered the questions surrounding the offensive line in the right way. Will Broderick Jones become what fans expected being able to slide to the left side? Will Troy Fautanu be able to hold down the right side? How about Mason McCormick as a starter?
A lot of questions remain at this position.
Better, worse or stagnant? Stagnant.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Players Lost
- Van Jefferson
- Mike Williams
Players Signed/Retained
- DK Metcalf (via trade)
- Scotty Miller
- Ben Skowronek
The wide receiver room has been upgraded tremendously with the trade for DK Metcalf. Assuming the team doesn’t trade George Pickens, this is an easy evaluation.
Better, worse, stagnant? Better.
Quarterback
Players Lost
- Russell Wilson
- Justin Fields
- Kyle Allen
Players Signed/Retained
- Mason Rudolph
- Skyler Thompson
While I’m a firm believer in Mason Rudolph as a potential bridge QB, I can’t say this room has been improved with just Rudolph and Thompson being added. Not after losing the experience of Wilson, Fields, and Allen. If Aaron Rodgers was a part of this equation, I might suggest the room has remained stagnant, but I can’t say that right now.
Better, worse, or stagnant? Worse.
Running Back
Players Lost
- Najee Harris
Players Signed/Retained
- Jaylen Warren (RFA Tender)
- Kenneth Gainwell
Losing Najee Harris means they lost some reliability and durability. In today’s NFL that is valuable at the running back position, but I feel like more Jaylen Warren and the addition of Gainwell gives the team a more dynamic backfield capable of big plays in a multitude of ways. I can’t say Harris brought that to the team.
Better, worse, or stagnant? Better.
Defense
Defensive Line
Players Lost
- Larry Ogunjobi (Cut)
Players Gained/Retained
- Isaiahh Loudermilk
- Esezi Otomewo
- Daniel Ekuale
The Steelers defensive line felt incomplete last season, even with Ogunjobi on the roster. Even with some second tier additions, it feels the same. Plenty of work yet to be done at this position group.
Better, worse, or stagnant? Stagnant.
Inside Linebackers
Players Lost
- Elandon Roberts
Players Gained/Retained
- Malik Harrison
I wasn’t sure about the decision to move on from they call E-Rob, but the Harrison signing seems to make sense from a versatility and special teams perspective. As for making the position group better? I think it does get better, but it isn’t just because of Harrison, but the potential return of Cole Holcomb and the maturation of Payton Wilson.
Better, worse, or stagnant? Better.
Outside Linebackers
Players Lost
- None
Players Gained/Retained
- None
What’s different? Nothing. Same group as last season…literally.
Better, worse, or stagnant? Stagnant.
Cornerback/Safety
Players Lost
- Donte Jackson
Players Gained/Retained
- Brandin Echols
- Darius Slay
- Juan Thornhill
The team lost Donte Jackson, and Cam Sutton and Damontae Kazee remain free agents. The additions of Echols, Slay and Thornhill, combined with the maturation of Beanie Bishop and Cory Trice, has this room looking a lot better in 2025 than it did in previous seasons. I really like the moves which have been made so far.
Better, worse, or stagnant? Better.
So let’s complete the exercise with the overall evaluation of the roster building which has taken place this offseason. Has the roster gotten better, worse or remained the same heading into the NFL Draft?
At the very worse I’d say the roster remains the same, or stagnant, but I also think they’ve made tremendous improvements at positions like cornerback.
Ultimately, without a genuine starting quarterback on the roster, I’m going to have to say the roster remains stagnant at this juncture. Could the draft propel them to improvement? It’s certainly possible, but Omar Khan might have to do some wheeling-and-dealing to make the most out of the picks they have at their disposal.
Losing Najee Harris means they lost some reliability and durability. In today’s NFL that is valuable at the running back position, but I feel like more Jaylen Warren and the addition of Gainwell gives the team a more dynamic backfield capable of big plays in a multitude of ways. I can’t say Harris brought that to the team.
It’s a tall task even the Steelers don’t seem to beleive. Warren’s big play potential is really just that, potential. At least compared to Harris. Going back the last two years, Harris routinely had more and longer runs than Warren did. I ran those numbers a month or two ago but I don’t seem to have saved the more detailed analysis, but if you look, Harris was frequently at the top of the league in terms of 10+ yard runs and 20+ yard runs.
The one stat I saved shows that last year, Harris percentage of 10+ yard runs per carry came in at 12% and Warren’s was at 13%, that is one 10+ yard run more per 100 carries. I don’t see that as really moving the needle. Warren has one “big” run in his career that is longer than Harris top several runs, that was his 75 yarder against Cleveland. But he has one play like that in his career. I’m not sure making him the workhorse will result in him having more. Warren also fumbles more than Harris.
As for Gainwell, I’m not really sure what he brings as big play ability. His career long play from scrimmage (run or reception) is only 32 yards and his YPC over his career is only 4.2. He will be in his fifth year. It seems he should have blossomed more by now, especially running in a complementary role for the Eagles. He seems more like a role player in the Steelers plans.
Hard to see this backfield as better right now based on unaccomplished potential. It may prove to be the case but only if there are significant improvements by the line and better execution and play calling by the OC.
Even then, it’s hard to see the Steelers acheiving even the success they had last year with these two as their primary backs.
That’s fair.
To be honest, I believe they’ll bring in a RB in the draft which will alter the dynamic from Warren as the “work horse” and spread out the carries.
The stats don’t lie about Warren explosive runs, but he also hasn’t had the carries Harris had. Gainwell played sparingly behind Saquon, but showed some ability when given the opportunity.
Just my opinion though.
I agree. The issue there is what does that say to Warren.
It feels like the Mason Rudolph thing, when he thought he would be the starter and they brought in Trubisky and drafted Pickett.
I’d actually like to see them sign Dobbins. Maybe they are waiting to see what happens in the draft, but I don’t like the idea of them drafting an RB with the one unless he was a bonafide star (Jeanty. who else) because they have no two.
Even if they take an RB, I’d still like to see them sign Dobbins as a hedge if Warren doesn’t materialize as the number one back they envision.
I think stagnate would have been a better choice for the RB as of right now. Its true they traded consistency for big play potential. I can’t confidently say that is better until I see that the team can scheme that big play potential into existence.
I’d say right now we are worse team than we were last year. But not by much. The draft will present an opportunity to change that.
I am with some others on RB. I do think this RB room is worse. I can base it on what might happen. I can’t see any way to look at Gainwell as an upgrade to Harris.
Oline I think they are worse. Until we see what Jones and Fautanu look like no way to rank them higher. Say what you want about Moore but he was pretty reliable and a decent LT. I am also a little worried about how Seuamalu played last year. I don’t know if it was a bump cause by playing injured or father time.
Edge and Dline are my other concerns. Not so much do to who left but the depth of replacements.
QB is its own animal. I am not a fan of how this room is currently constructed. Something really needs to happen here.
WR and Secondary seem to be greatly improved. Could use another CB but if this is the group entering the season I would feel pretty good.
LB could be a lot better depending on Holcomb, but with another year for both Queen and Wilson you have to like that. I think Harrison is a good depth piece that can play more than teams and will be good in the Roberts role as needed.
The QB room got immediately better thanks to Wilson and Fields leaving. I know so many don’t believe in Mason (The Shock) but even if Rodgers doesn’t sign here, I’m still very comfortable and I repeat very comfortable with Mason starting and I do not care what others think. I disagree with RB room statement. They got worse not better. Warren is not a 1a back and fans know that, but they are blinded by their dislike of Najee to see that. The WR room is better now that they have Metcalf and for those that want GP gone, you had better come up with a No.2 option otherwise the same thing will happen to Metcalf that happened to Pickens, but I highly highly doubt anybody see’s it that way (not surprising).
Folks can tell me everything I said is wrong and that I don’t know what I’m talking about but so damn what. Many Steeler Fans would rather see the team have a losing record or better yet just flat-out tank for an imaginary QB rather than actually giving a damn about the 25 season and the effort that the players will put in to winning. Hey fans can view things that way and hey to each their own.
I’m going to root for the Steelers to win as many games as possible and root for them to win a playoff game (won’t change much in the eyes of Fans) just to somehow hope that fans actually become fans again and not what they have become these days.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s the Steelers roster is getting younger, faster, quicker, and bigger after each N.F.L. draft because Steelers Omar Khan is drafting smartly so the Steelers won’t need to spend money on outside free agents a lot less