The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a really interesting 2025 season. When the offseason first started, a lot of fans were pretty confused about where this team was headed. There were questions everywhere, and honestly, the vision didn’t feel very clear. That all changed once Aaron Rodgers finally made it official that he would be joining the Steelers for the 2025 season. Suddenly, things started to make a lot more sense.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf lined up and starting a play during mandatory minicamp.
Rodgers brings a ton of excitement and intrigue to the team. On top of that, the Steelers have made some other moves that have people talking. It feels like the franchise is trying to shake things up and push for something big. Fans who were worried before are now looking forward to what this team can do with Rodgers at the helm.
Then Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger appeared on his podcast Footballin on Tuesday to talk about his top three reasons to be excited about Pittsburgh in 2025. Hearing from Roethlisberger gives a whole new perspective on the team’s potential. If anyone knows what it takes to win in Pittsburgh, it is him, so his take definitely matters going into the new season.
"In no particular order, but I will start with the defense," Roethlisberger said. "Yes, you lose Minkah [Fitzpatrick], but you have players. You have TJ [Watt]. I would say the potential of the defense can be a top-five defense in this league again. I would say that’s number one. Number two, I think maybe the tight end room... There’s just a lot of potential there to do some things."
Roethlisberger talked about the loss of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was traded, but he pointed out that TJ Watt is still one of the best players in the game. He is also curious if Cam Heyward can defy Father Time again in 2025, like he did in 2024.
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Steelers kicker Chris Boswell celebrates enthusiastically after successfully making a crucial field goal, standing defiantly in the face of a Bengals player as the crowd erupts around them.
The Steelers’ tight end room is also loaded, so he pointed out that group as a big reason to be excited. The trio of Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Jonnu Smith is going to be exciting, but Roethlisberger also highlighted kicker Chris Boswell.
"My third is Aaron Rodgers — one more year removed from coming back from injury," Roethlisberger said. "Hall of Fame guy, gold jacket, stud. You know what you get. That’s a reason to be excited. And I would say the best kicker in the game, Boswell. Special teams gets overlooked so much... What about the best kicker in the game?"
Many pundits aren’t quite sure what to expect from Rodgers in the 2025 season. In 2024, he got off to a rocky start, but many noted that he began to look much better as the year went on. That improvement is pivotal, especially considering Rodgers suffered a brutal Achilles tear in 2023.
Naturally, if he continued to get better over the course of 2024, that gives Steelers fans a big reason for optimism, and Roethlisberger is not ignoring that fact. He is also highlighting the Steelers’ elite special teams unit, which he believes will be a major strength in 2025. While much of that praise goes to Boswell, Roethlisberger feels the other special teams areas should be strong as well.
Steelers Could Be A Sleeper Team In 2025
The Steelers have a pretty competitive roster on paper. The question is, can these new faces come in and quickly gel? The chemistry is high right now, but that could change as the season goes on. It could even get better, and if it does, maybe this Steelers team can surprise many in 2025.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a tough game against the Ravens.
They have the talent, and now it’s just about gelling and putting it all together. The Steelers truly could be a sleeper team in 2025. Hearing Roethlisberger’s top three reasons to be excited is very telling.
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