The Pittsburgh Steelers received their official 2025 schedule last month, and it's loaded with storylines. Of course, the Aaron Rodgers decision sits at the top, with two games carrying even higher stakes if he ends up playing for Pittsburgh. The first is Week 1 against the New York Jets, a team Rodgers won just five games for in 2024. That game also marks a potential revenge opportunity for Justin Fields, who led the Steelers to a 4-2 record in six games during the 2024 season. After the season, Fields joined the Jets via free agency.
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Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on during a professional football game on the road.
Another notable matchup comes in Week 8 when the Steelers take on the Green Bay Packers, the team where Rodgers built his Hall of Fame career. If he ends up joining Pittsburgh, this game would make for a unique narrative surrounding Rodgers facing the team he won four MVPs with. That would bring an added layer of drama and significance to an already meaningful matchup on the schedule.
An additional storyline arrives during the preseason when the Steelers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 16. Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles recently said on the Pewter Report podcast that outside linebackers coach and run game coordinator, Larry Foote may get the chance to call plays. Foote, who won two Super Bowls as a player in Pittsburgh, could find himself coaching against his former team in what would be a memorable moment during the exhibition slate.
"I'm pretty sure I won't call them all three, we haven't gotten into it yet," Bowles said. "We kind of figure those out in the summertime. Larry's going back to Pittsburgh, and I know that's kind of a soft spot for him, so he may get to do that one; we'll see as it goes on. I just got to get him on the plane to get him back home."
Foote put together a solid 13-year NFL career, starting in 2002 and wrapping up in 2014. He spent most of his time with the Steelers, had a brief stint with the Detroit Lions, returned to Pittsburgh, and finished things out with the Arizona Cardinals. Known for his toughness and football IQ, Foote was a steady presence at linebacker throughout his career.
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Former Steelers linebacker Larry Foote tries to tackle former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor.
He racked up 818 total tackles, 25 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, and even added a safety. He also recorded 27 pass deflections and picked off four passes, returning them for 26 yards. Foote played a big role on some dominant Steelers defenses and was a key part of their success during his time there.
Foote began his coaching career in 2015 as an assistant linebackers coach with the Cardinals, just one year after retiring as a player. Now with the Buccaneers, he continues to climb the coaching ranks under Bowles. As the Buccaneers prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a preseason game on August 16, Bowles has acknowledged the significance of the matchup for Foote, who spent the majority of his playing career in Pittsburgh and won two Super Bowls with the team.
Steelers' Defense Might Go Up Against Larry Foote In 2025
While Bowles hasn’t made a final decision, he’s seriously considering giving Foote the chance to call plays during the game, allowing him to coach against his former team in the city where his NFL journey truly began.
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Former Steelers linebacker Larry Foote roams the field during his time coaching with the Cardinals.
Even though the game doesn’t carry any real stakes, since it’s part of the preseason, it still holds special meaning. It would be a unique moment for Foote to return to the Steel City not as a player, but as a coach with a voice in shaping the game plan. For a guy who once helped anchor the Steelers’ defense on the field, having a chance to make an impact from the sideline against them would be a full-circle moment. Steeler Nation will be excited to watch Foote return to Pittsburgh, but hopeful their team wins the preseason contest.
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