The Pittsburgh Steelers have wrapped up their 2025 training camp, and now are turning their focus to their final two preseason games. Overall, there is still a heavy level of optimism around the team, as they put up a solid performance in their first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and currently sit with a relatively healthy roster.
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Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson stiff-arms Travis Hunter to the ground in a 2025 preseason game vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Throughout the offseason, the story has been much of the same as it has been in recent years for the Steelers. They have a high-powered defense that is expected to carry the team most weeks, but there are certainly questions around what level of performance the offense would be able to put together on a consistent basis. With the signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and some other key additions, there is a little more optimism this time around, however.
On his most recent episode of his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, former Steelers great Ben Roethlisberger discussed his thoughts on the team's first preseason game of 2025 and what stuck out to him the most. One of the areas he highlighted was the team's play-calling, as it appeared to be a much more balanced offensive approach compared to the 2024 NFL season.
"It felt like it was very balanced," said Roethlisberger on the Steelers' offense. "Like I am watching this not really expecting this, 'Oh run, pass, etc.' It was like okay, great mix up. I liked it. I liked moving the pocket, I liked taking shots down the field. Again, maybe he (Arthur Smith) was calling the same exact things last year, and our quarterbacks weren't throwing it down the field. That is the part that we don't know. Can I sit here and say the play-calling was so much better? I don't know that yet."
It is only a preseason game, and we all should know how preseason games can be misleading after the epic performance from former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett in the 2023 preseason, but it was still nice to see what seemed to be a fluid offense with the ability to attach all three levels of a defense.
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Steelers' Arthur Smith looks on while coaching up his offense during a home game in Pittsburgh during the 2024 NFL season.
The 2025 NFL season will be the second year calling plays in Pittsburgh for Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, and many fans are hoping the improvement in play-calling that was noticed by Roethlisberger will spill into the regular season. Last year the offense appeared to be predictable with a run-heavy offense with multiple deep shots up the sideline, which lead to a very feast or famine offense. With a more talented quarterback in Rodgers this season, and what should be an improved offensive line with young players getting another year under their belts, the expectations from a Smith-called offense are only going up.
Roethlisberger bringing up that Smith may have been calling a similar offense last season, but the quarterbacks failing to execute it properly is an interesting point. If there is a stark difference in the look of the offense this season, it certainly could point to the quarterback play being a root cause. If the offense looks to be a copy and paste from last season, then it would be hard to point the blame anywhere besides at Smith.
Steelers' Depth At The Quarterback Position Could Prove Beneficial Beyond 2025
All the talk around the Steelers' quarterback position has been focused on the addition of Rodgers through free agency and drafting Will Howard in the sixth round . However, the Steelers brought in two other quarterbacks with playoff experience in Mason Rudolph and Skyler Thompson. Both Rudolph and Thompson have been overlooked by most fans, but Rudolph will play a key role as the backup quarterback to Rodgers this season, and could always be back in Pittsburgh for future seasons as a veteran leader in the quarterback room if they select a quarterback high in the 2026 NFL Draft like anticipated.
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Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) stands in the pocket during a 2025 preseason game on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Thompson may also play a role in the Steelers' 2026 draft plans, because if he repeats his excellent performance from the first preseason game in their second, another team could very easily reach out to acquire him to be their backup quarterback this season. The most likely compensation in that scenario would be a day three draft pick in 2026, which would be very beneficial for a team potentially looking to move up the draft board like the Steelers.
Do you expect a much more balanced and improved offense to be called by Arthur Smith in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!
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