3 Steelers Veterans Facing An Uncertain Future With Pittsburgh In 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced one of the most talked-about offseasons in recent memory, drawing a lot of attention from the media. From high-profile acquisitions, to notable player departures, the team’s offseason activity has sparked widespread conversation about the direction of the franchise. With the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers have welcomed a new wave of young talent, a lot of fresh faces that could shake up the depth chart and cause fierce competition within the locker room. These new additions may put pressure on veteran players to prove their worth and fight to retain their roster spots as the team begins to shape its identity for the upcoming season.

Brian Batko, a Steelers insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, recently engaged with fans during a chat discussion. When he was asked which players from last season’s roster had the toughest odds to keep their spots in 2025, his response may have caught some fans off guard. He identified three veteran players who could be at serious risk of being cut from the team heading into the upcoming season.

"Cordarrelle Patterson, DeMarvin Leal, Dean Lowry come to mind," Batko responded.

Cordarrelle Patterson, a seasoned NFL veteran known for his versatility as a running back, wide receiver, and return specialist, joined the Steelers in 2024 on a two-year, $6 million contract. Despite his impressive career, including holding the NFL record for the most kickoff return touchdowns (9), Patterson's role with the Steelers has come under scrutiny. In the 2024 season, he managed only 135 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards, with an average of 21.8 yards on 11 kick returns. These numbers fell short of expectations, leading to questions about his fit on the team's roster. 

The Steelers also added Kaleb Johnson to the roster with their third round draft pick in this year's draft. Johnson is a powerful and dynamic running back that brings energy and versatility to the offense. Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith has expressed enthusiasm about Johnson’s arrival, noting that his physical playing style and speed align perfectly with the team’s vision for a more explosive offensive scheme. Johnson’s selection reflects a commitment by the Steelers to inject youth and explosiveness into their running game.

The next veteran Batko mentioned was DeMarvin Leal, who is a defensive lineman / outside linebacker for the Steelers. Leal was selected in the third round, 84th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he appeared in 11 games, recording 14 total tackles. However, his second year was cut short by a neck injury that placed him on injured reserve. During the 2024 training camp, Leal emerged as a standout performer, showcasing his explosiveness and versatility. Reports highlighted his ability to penetrate the backfield and disrupt plays, indicating a potential breakout season. Despite these flashes, Leal's regular season impact remained limited, with only two solo tackles recorded in the 2024 season. 

The last player Batko highlighted was veteran defensive lineman Dean Lowry. Lowry began his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, where he earned a reputation for his reliability, missing just three games over seven seasons. In 2023, he moved on to the Minnesota Vikings, but his time there was cut short after a season-ending injury limited him to only nine appearances. In 2024, Lowry signed with the Steelers and went on to play in 12 games, contributing five tackles, one sack, and a blocked field goal during his first season in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers invested heavily in strengthening their defensive line during the 2025 NFL Draft. They selected defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with their first-round pick and added another defensive lineman, Yahya Black, in the fifth round. Additionally, they used a fourth-round pick on Jack Sawyer, an edge rusher with the potential to contribute along the defensive front. These draft moves clearly show the Steelers' intention to add youth and fresh talent into their defensive unit, further emphasizing that the roles of some veteran players on the roster could be at risk heading into the season.

The Steelers Could Have A Youthful Roster Going Into The 2025 Season

There are advantages and disadvantages to having both a younger and older NFL team. A younger roster typically brings increased physicality, speed, and athleticism. Younger players tend to be more resilient, have longer careers ahead of them, and are more moldable in terms of development, giving coaches the opportunity to shape their potential. On the other hand, older teams offer the benefit of experience, leadership, and situational awareness that only years in the league can bring. 

The ideal balance lies in blending youth with veteran presence, creating an environment where seasoned players can mentor the young talent, helping them grow into championship-caliber athletes. Regardless, the Steelers’ current roster looks promising, and fans will be watching closely to what the roster looks like at the start of the season.

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