The Pittsburgh Steelers have made it clear that they are not considering themselves as a team looking to enter a rebuild, as they continued to bring in talented veterans throughout the offseason. Many people around the league have been discussing whether the Steelers are ready to compete for a Super Bowl, or whether they should tear it down and start from scratch. Steeler Nation knows this organization doesn't operate in that manner.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan talks on the phone during a practice in the Steel City.
All of the moves so far that Omar Khan has made in the 2025 offseason, whether it be signing Aaron Rodgers, trading for DK Metcalf, and even the most recent move trading for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith, points to the organization's belief that they have a real chance to compete in 2025. What the offense will look like this upcoming season with a new quarterback and a lot of new skill players is most likely going to be a wait and see, but the defense is expected to be the prototypical Steelers defense everyone around the NFL is used to. However, that group is aging and are most likely running low on time in which the current defensive leaders are able to carry the load at an elite level.
During the most recent episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger provided his thoughts on a lot of the moves the team has been making, and what it likely means for the goals for this season.
"This feels like we are getting guys for the one, two, maybe three-year stint. To me that says, we have to win now," says Roethlisberger on the 2025 offseason moves. "I think it is like, okay we want to try and get one for the older guys on defense."
There has been a consistent narrative for the last decade that the Steelers need to try and win a ring for the older veterans on the team, as the lack of playoff success has led to several lifelong Steelers not getting any jewelry to show for their years of work in the Black and Gold. One of the most notable names on that list would be long-time teammate to Roethlisberger, Maurkice Pouncey.
Currently, Cam Heyward and TJ Watt top the list of the long tenured members of the Steelers' defense that are quickly running out of time in their careers to carry the defense. Should both of them end their careers without winning a Super Bowl, or at least attending one, it would definitely be one area where many would feel as though the Steelers failed them.
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Steelers' Cam Heyward and TJ Watt at practice.
While it is debatable whether the Steelers are in a better spot to compete for a championship entering 2025 than they were just a year ago, it is clear the team is committed to winning whether they have a fool proof plan or not. Only time will tell if the moves they made will result in the success needed to get players like Heyward and Watt a ring, but the opportunities are definitely running out.
Steelers Will Have A Different Approach After The 2025 NFL Season
The Steelers will be surprising no one should they end up selecting a quarterback early in the 2026 NFL Draft, as all the moves they have been making aligns with that strategy. The Steelers are expected to have double digit draft picks, so even if they aren't selecting early in the first round, they will have the ammunition to move up and select the prospect they want the most. The 2026 NFL Draft being held in Pittsburgh makes for a storybook-like feel to them potentially selecting their next franchise quarterback.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers select DL Derrick Harmon out of the University of Oregon with the 21st choice in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Should the Steelers selecting a quarterback early in next year's draft go as planned, it doesn't bode well for 2025 Steelers draft selection Will Howard. Howard isn't likely to have many opportunities to shine in 2025, at least not in-game action, as he will likely operate as the emergency third quarterback throughout much of the season. Without much opportunity to show his talents, and the potential heavy investment being made in whoever the team selects next season, it will be hard for him to prove he deserves an opportunity to lead the Steelers long-term.
Do you think the Steelers are going all in to give the aging veterans one last chance at a ring? Let us know in the comments below!
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