The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a busy and eventful offseason, filled with major changes to their roster. From key acquisitions that have the potential to greatly impact the team, to the departure of several notable players, the Steelers have undergone a significant transformation. These moves have kept the team in the spotlight, with constant media attention and widespread speculation about what’s next. As a result of all this attention and change, there’s a heightened level of pressure and expectation on the Steelers as they prepare for the upcoming season.
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Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan speaking on the sidelines inside Acrisure Stadium.
As with anything, opinions vary when it comes to the Steelers’ recent additions. While the team clearly believes these changes will improve their performance, not everyone sees it the same way. During a recent chat session hosted by Steelers Insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dulac was asked about the team’s ceiling, essentially, how far he thinks they can go this season. His response might surprise you.
"As for the Steelers, at most 10 wins," Dulac wrote.
This comes as a surprise considering the Steelers are led by Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who has an impressive track record. Since taking over as head coach, Tomlin has never had a losing season, meaning the team has won at least half of its games every year. That’s why Dulac’s statement is so unexpected; he’s suggesting that the team’s ceiling is only slightly better than what they’ve already been consistently achieving.
In the most recent season, 2024, the Steelers finished with a 10-7 record, exactly matching Dulac’s projected ceiling for the team. Now, it's a totally different team, as this offseason, the Steelers made significant changes on both sides of the ball. They moved on from their leaders in rushing, receiving, and passing yards. However, this wasn’t entirely unexpected, as the team completely revamped its quarterback room and made upgrades across other position groups.
AP photo
Steelers' Mike Tomlin confused about a call against the Commanders.
The Steelers have remained in the spotlight for more than just their roster moves, there’s been plenty of buzz surrounding the team. Leading the headlines is the potential signing of veteran free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, with no clear decision from Rodgers, the Steelers' front office has faced heavy criticism for how they’ve managed the situation. Despite the uncertainty, the front office has continued to make changes in other areas of the roster.
Although the Steelers haven’t landed Rodgers in free agency, they’ve still made several notable acquisitions through trades and signings. On defense, they strengthened their secondary by bringing in cornerback Darius Slay from the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Offensively, the Steelers made a significant move by trading for veteran wide receiver DK Metcalf, a move that gained even more significance after the team traded away their former wide receiver one (WR1), George Pickens.
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Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf leaping over a defender during a game with his former team, the Seahawks.
In addition to those high-profile additions, the Steelers acquired several other players through trades and free agency; these were just a few of the most notable. The team also had key opportunities to improve the roster during the 2025 NFL Draft. The draft proved to be a pivotal moment, as the Steelers prioritized adding size and strength to their defensive front, which was a much-needed area of focus, while also managing to further bolster their offense.
Leading up to the draft, the Steelers were frequently connected to multiple different quarterback prospects, and given the well-known vacancy at the starting position, many expected them to prioritize the position early. While the Steelers did eventually select a quarterback, they waited until the sixth round on the final day to draft Will Howard from Ohio State University. Because he was taken so late, there’s uncertainty around whether Howard is viewed as a long-term solution or simply a developmental option.
Steelers Are Hopeful The Investments Will Pay Off
As offseason programs begin, the new additions are finally getting the opportunity to mesh with the returning veterans on the roster. It’s the first real moment to look at how these players perform together and begin building team chemistry. While the Steelers’ offseason moves appear promising on paper, the true impact remains to be known. One thing is clear, though, fans are hoping that the ceiling for the 2025 Steelers is higher than just 10 wins.
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