The Pittsburgh Steelers have a ton of positions that need to be addressed throughout the 2025 offseason. The organization needs to gear up to have another impressive performance during the NFL Draft, while also making the necessary moves in free agency or within the trade market. Two positions that fans will be watching closely are quarterback and wide receiver, and the Steelers have the opportunity to make some splashes. Expect Pittsburgh to be aggressive during the offseason, as the organization has made it clear it wants to win now.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) sit in the franchise's draft room as they anxiously watch the board in 2023.
Another team in the AFC North will be talked about a lot during the 2025 offseason: the Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Joe Burrow has put a ton of pressure on the franchise to keep the nucleus of the team together. Star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase needs an extension, as does Trey Hendrickson, while Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki are set to hit free agency.
All four of those players should be expecting a boost in pay. The only issue is that the Bengals are known for being cheap. Mike Florio spoke about how dangerous it could be for Cincinnati if it doesn't make the proper moves.
"Are the Bengals willing to placate Burrow by writing big checks to multiple teammates?" Florio asked. "Or will they drag their feet and pinch their pennies? If the Bengals choose the latter route, the clock could start ticking toward Burrow reaching the same conclusion that Carson Palmer once did."
Carson Palmer was the quarterback for the Bengals from 2003 through 2010 and he had a decent amount of success in Cincinnati as he made two Pro Bowls. Palmer and the organization had a rough end to their relationship, as Cincinnati refused to trade him. Eventually he was dealt due to a strong offer coming in, but the Bengals could be seeing this situation again if the owner do not open up the wallet.
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (#5) gets ready to set up at the line of scrimmage as his team takes on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road.
Burrow has been very public about his desire for the organization to keep everyone in Cincinnati. The only issue is that Higgins, Chase, Gesicki, and Hendrickson would all eat up a pretty serious financial commitment. This would not leave a ton of resources for the Bengals to address the defense after the fact, and that was the major reason Cincinnati couldn't find any team success in 2024.
League executives are well aware of the public pressure Joe Burrow has been applying to the #Bengals since the season ended — and it has continued this week at Radio Row in New Orleans. Burrow has made it clear, both privately and publicly, that the team must do whatever it takes… pic.twitter.com/QhwYoluF9o
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 6, 2025
Higgins is one of the premiere free agents throughout the league, and the Steelers would be a good landing spot for him. Pittsburgh has needed help at wide receiver for years now, and Higgins would be able to fill that role perfectly. If the Steelers find a way to land Higgins, that could be the first domino to fall in he Bengals' organization. It could eventually lead to Burrow leaving the organization in a similar manner to Palmer.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields during practice at the end of the 2024 season.
Steelers Must Figure Out Quarterback Situation To Land Top Wide Receivers
Higgins is going to have the attention of many organizations throughout the league, and the Steelers will be competing with all of those teams to land the star receiver. The free agent will ultimately be able to pick his next home, and the Steelers aren't currently very attractive with all of the questions at the quarterback position.
Pittsburgh needs to come to a solution at the quarterback position in order to be more enticing to Higgins or other available wide receivers. It could be Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, or another option. The Steelers just need a clear-cut starter before free agency rolls around.
What do you think about the Steelers being able to sign Higgins? Let us know in the comments below!
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