What position will factor the most into the Steelers 2025 success?

Steelers fans were in a bit of a conundrum.

If typical fans are anything like me, they have people asking them all the time about how they think this team will do this coming season. With exactly what the Steelers are doing at the quarterback position being in limbo, it’s really tough to give a definitive answer.

Is this because the quarterback position is ultimately what’s going to determine the Steelers success this coming season?

While I believe it’s a big factor, I would not put that position at number one. For me, how the Steelers play in 2025, especially when it comes to having an effective offense, will be determined by their offensive line.

For those who may have read my articles or listened to my podcasts before, you may recall that the offensive line is near and dear to my heart. It is both where I played and the position I coached. Putting my bias aside, it’s also going to be key for the Steelers offense for this coming season and beyond.

If offensive line is so important, it would be easy to assume that it’s a position the Steelers needed to potentially address in free agency or the draft. But the way things are playing out, that’s not really the case. The Steelers could have done something at the guard position if they felt it necessary, but so far they have not. As of this moment, it appears that Isaac Seumalo and Mason McCormick will be the top options going into 2025 with Spencer Anderson the most likely “next man up.”

When it comes to the ends and the middle of the line, the Steelers need to roll with what they have. The Steelers 2024 second round draft pick Zach Frazier looks to be the real deal and is probably the player on the offensive line that most fans have the highest confidence.

When it comes to tackle, that’s a whole different story.

After trading up to take him in the first round in 2023, Broderick Jones gave a solid performance as a rookie having to fill in on the right side for all but one of his starts. Knowing he was a very raw yet talented player, I thought the sky was the limit last offseason and Jones could even make a jump to be in the Pro Bowl discussion. Unfortunately, that’s not how it played out.

Last July, Broderick Jones did not show up to training camp where the Steelers wanted him to be. Whether it was physically, mentally, or a combination of both, Jones didn’t pick up where he left off his rookie campaign and seemed to be almost back to square one all over again. Jones was not the better option at left tackle than Dan Moore, and the Steelers were more confident with Troy Fautanu as soon as he was ready to go after suffering an injury in the preseason. But after one game Fautanu was lost for the year and Jones was back on the right side again in a season that was not much better than his rookie campaign. Sure, there were some games in there where he played quite well, But nothing to a level that would lead fans to believe Jones could be the first All-Pro offensive tackle in Steelers franchise history.

As great as it was to see Troy Fautanu win the hearts of the coaching staff enough to be given the starting job at right tackle, only appearing in one game does not give the fan base a lot of confidence. Exactly what to expect from Fautanu in 2025 is up for each Steelers fan to decide for themselves.

But as much as there are questions for the Steelers at offensive tackle, these players need to be their solution for 2025.

With their last two first round picks going to the offensive tackle position, the Steelers have to go with these guys right now. They have invested the pedigree, now they must see if the player is up to the task. While this year is very important for Troy Fautanu, it’s even more important for Broderick Jones to see if he’s going to be a quality NFL tackle.

As great as it can be to have a young offensive line with 80% of the players drafted within a year of each other, it can also create a very “make or break“ situation. Teams should not be too quick to turn away from high draft picks after just a couple seasons. But with so many of them on the offensive line, the Steelers might be finding out who can get the job done and who can’t all at the same time where it will require the entire unit to do so individually in order to have success.

If the Steelers can have their offensive line clicking on all cylinders, it’s going to alleviate a plethora of problems. If the offensive line is getting push and opening holes, it will take off a lot less stress on the running backs in the run game. If the offensive line is giving the quarterback time to throw, it puts a lot less stress on him to have to process things quickly and make the precise decision and pass on time.

A quality offensive line helps make the entire offense better.

I believe the Steelers offensive line is going to be what determines their win total more than any other position group this year. If the Steelers are getting it done offensively and take some of the stress off of their defense, they will be in much better shape. And if the offensive line is getting things going, it’s going help both the run game and the pass game.

The big question is if they can get the job done.

So what do you think? Is the offensive line the top position group that will determine the Steelers success in 2025? If not, what group do you think is more important? Make sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below.