The Pittsburgh Steelers have all of the resources necessary to be extremely aggressive during the 2025 offseason. The organization has plenty of cap space for the 2025 season and beyond, while also having eight selections in the 2025 NFL Draft in its arsenal. This gives the team the ability to spend during free agency, while also having the option to unload some draft capital on the trade market. An area of significance for the Steelers during the offseason is going to be the defensive line, as the Steelers' unit is aging and the group certainly needs an upgrade.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin (left) smiles in the distance as long-time front office member Omar Khan watches a team practice.
The Philadelphia Eagles were a perfect example of how important it is to have a quality defensive line with a ton of depth. It is a big reason the Eagles were able to capture a victory in Super Bowl LIX, as the defensive unit was able to shut down Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. A key playmaker on the defensive line in Philadelphia was Milton Williams, and he made a name for himself during Philadelphia's domination of Kansas City. Williams is scheduled to become a free agent, and there is a natural connection to him from Pittsburgh.
Source: The Steelers are believed to be smitten by Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams. And view signing him in free agency as a “dream scenario”. Williams would add another big contact to league’s highest paid defense. pic.twitter.com/KKWbpmU4ot
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 28, 2025
Williams is one of the top defensive linemen expected to be available through free agency, and upped his value during the Super Bowl. In the big game, Williams recorded four tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. It was his best performance of the year, but he had been a force on the Eagles' defensive line throughout the 2024 season.
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Eagles' Milton Williams celebrates winning Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
There is a natural connection between Williams and the Steelers. Pittsburgh's current assistant general manager is Andy Weidl, and Weidl spent a significant amount of time in Philadelphia. Weidl finished his time with the Eagles serving as the vice president of player personnel, and he has been given a lot of credit for constructing their current roster through the draft. He played a hand in Philadelphia selecting Williams in the 2021 NFL Draft, which could draw the defensive lineman to the Steelers in free agency.
Williams is is projected to earn roughly $12 million per year according to Spotrac. He is expected to sign a three-year deal worth $36 million, and Pittsburgh would be able to make that work based on its current cap situation. The Steelers have the resources to get a deal done, an obvious connection with Williams, and the need for an upgrade along the defensive line. The organization should be a major player for Williams, and he is likely one of the franchise's top targets.
Steelers Must Exercise Caution In Pursuing Milton Williams
It is important that Pittsburgh does its due diligence in signing Williams, as the organization can't have too much recency bias when evaluating the defensive lineman. He left a lasting impression in the Super Bowl, but it is still important to look at his entire body of work. He just completed his fourth season in the NFL and has recorded 11.5 sacks to go along with 132 tackles and 25 tackles for loss; this is pretty good production considering he was never relied upon heavily as a starter.
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Eagles' Milton Williams celebrates after making a play during the 2024 season at Lincoln Financial Field.
It happens all the time in the NFL where an impressive reserve gets signed as a starter and the production doesn't transfer, so the Steelers have to be sure that it will before offering a large deal to Williams. There is a slight chance Williams will want to stay in Philadelphia, but the Eagles have a loaded group along the defensive line. Signing elsewhere would give the defender the chance to really make a name for himself.
What do you think about Pittsburgh's reported interest in Williams? Let us know in the comments below!
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