The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that could have a high ceiling in 2025, but all the new additions could also fail miserably. There are a ton of newly acquired pieces on the roster, and it might take some time for every player to gel -- but the expectations are high. Different media members in the NFL world have varying opinions on how the organization will perform in 2025. Some believe Pittsburgh will finally be able to advance in the playoffs, while others think that Head Coach Mike Tomlin will lose his record of never having a losing season.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers want to be able to seriously compete for the AFC North title during the 2025 season. The organization has not won it since 2020, and Pittsburgh needs that home playoff game to finally find some success in the postseason. The Steelers should have a chance to win the AFC North, especially due to the fact that the Cincinnati Bengals seem to be making the same mistakes they have in the past. Analyst Louis Riddick does not have much faith in Cincinnati, and he went in on the organization during a recent appearance on First Take.
"AFC North, hey, let's just see what happens in Pittsburgh," Riddick said. "You know defensively they're going to be better. And if Aaron [Rodgers] is on it like RC [Ryan Clark] and Jalen Ramsey and people are saying from how he has looked in training camp, hey man. And we know Baltimore. We know what Baltimore brings. I think this football team [Bengals], I really think this football team can be in trouble again. Trey Hendrickson doesn't make them a contender on his own. There are far more foundational issues with this football team."
Cincinnati is still in the midst of a contract dispute with the team's star defender Trey Hendrickson. Things do not seem to be going well at all, but Riddick did make the point that Hendrickson returning to the field is not going to fix everything for the Bengals. The offensive line is still suspect, and the defense is full of holes.
Sam Greene / The Cincinnati Enquirer
Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor stands on the sideline with his playsheet as his team participates in a professional football game.
The Bengals had the 25th ranked defense during the 2024 season, and it was certainly the reason the team lost so many games and missed the playoffs for the second season in a row. The defense could not stop a nosebleed at times, and Cincinnati lost four games where the offense was able to score over 30 points, which should not happen in the NFL.
The poor offensive line play and holes throughout the defense make it so quarterback Joe Burrow essentially has to be perfect on a week-to-week basis. He cannot turn the ball over, and he has to consistently have great games throwing the football in order to keep up with opposing offenses. It is not a recipe for success in Cincinnati, and hopefully that will aid the Steelers in the organization's pursuit of the AFC North title in 2025.
Steelers' Defense Should Be Able To Neutralize Joe Burrow In 2025
It is fair to say that Burrow is arguably the best passer in the league, and he probably would have won MVP at the end of the 2024 season if his team had won more games. Pittsburgh should be able to slow him down when the two sides square off in 2025. The Steelers have one of the best pass rushes in the NFL, and the revamped secondary should be able to keep up with Cincinnati's receiving duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers' Jalen Ramsey (5) and Darius Slay Jr. (23) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Burrow will probably wind up in the Hall of Fame one day if he keeps up his current pace, but his career is currently being wasted by the awfully run organization in Cincinnati.
What do you expect from the Bengals in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!
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