The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an offseason full of significant changes that have reshaped both the roster and the overall energy of the team. These moves appear to be driven by a clear desire to improve upon recent postseason results. While the Steelers have consistently earned playoff spots, they’ve also experienced disappointing first-round exits in recent years, an outcome the organization is determined to avoid moving forward.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers training camp huddle led by Mike Tomlin.
This thought seems to be shared throughout the organization. Recently, Steelers General Manager Omar Khan addressed the media and emphasized the importance of making key changes within the team. He spoke about the need for growth and improvement, confirming that the motivation behind many of the offseason moves was based on a desire to elevate the team's performance and break away from recent postseason disappointments.
"The way we ended last year, wasn't good enough, and when you talk about change having to happen, I know people maybe expected change sooner rather than later, but change doesn't always happen at the pace everybody expects," Khan said. "We knew changes had to be made, and here we are."
Last season, the Steelers experienced a heartbreaking first-round playoff loss to their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. This loss was especially tough to swallow, not only for the players and fans, but also for key members of the coaching staff. Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin took the loss personally, recognizing it as a moment for growth and change. In response, the Steelers have taken an aggressive approach this offseason, making significant adjustments to their roster on both offense and defense in hopes of returning stronger and more competitive in the upcoming season.
Steelers.com
Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith attempts to bring down former Ravens running back Gus Edwards in a heated rivalry matchup.
Khan and the rest of the front office faced some criticism earlier in the offseason for a few of the initial moves they made. At the time, some questioned the strategy behind certain trades and signings, unsure of how all the pieces would fit together. However, now that the roster is mostly finalized and players have started training camp, a clearer vision of Khan’s overall plan is starting to emerge.
While it’s still early and the results haven’t played out on the field yet, the roster looks impressive on paper. With all the key additions in place, there’s a growing sense of optimism about the direction the team is heading under Khan’s leadership. This feeling appears to be shared by the upper leadership within the Steelers’ organization, as Khan recently signed a contract extension. This move shows the organization’s confidence in his vision and gives him the opportunity to see his long-term plan through.
Khan is taking on the nearly impossible task of finding the perfect balance between seasoned veterans and promising young rookies. This approach allows the Steelers to remain competitive in the present while also laying the foundation for long-term success. One of the most significant moves of the offseason was bringing in veteran quarterback and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers on a one-year deal. With Rodgers hinting that this could be his final season, the urgency to win now is even greater, adding extra pressure to make the most of this window of opportunity, while having a guy like him to mentor the young guys.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2025 minicamp, Tuesday June 10, 2025.
While Khan faced criticism earlier in the offseason, he has also received praise for his ability to remain unattached when it comes to veteran players. Many of these new veterans were signed to short-term deals, giving the Steelers flexibility and keeping their financial outlook strong.
The Steelers Have Certainly Made Changes
There’s no question that this year’s team looks very different from last season. With training camp now underway, this is the first real opportunity to see all of these players play on the field together. After an offseason full of constant roster moves and changes, the focus now shifts to building chemistry, team camaraderie, and preparing to be the best version of the team heading into the season.
#SteelerNation
