The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten off to a great start to the 2025 season as the team currently has a record of 4-1. The other great part about the start to the season has been the collapse throughout the rest of the AFC North. Pittsburgh has the division in a stranglehold as the four teams in the North have gone 2-9 over the last three weeks, with the Steelers being 2-0 during that period and every other team being 0-3 respectively. The Steelers look primed for another playoff berth, with the possibility of hosting its first playoff game since the 2020 season.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin talks with Aaron Rodgers before a home game against the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 season.
Both the offense and the defense for Pittsburgh have begun to figure things out over the team's last two games. The group has been playing complementary football, which is a key in winning games. It is hard not to look ahead for Pittsburgh as long as the team can take care of business against inferior opponents.
Former Pittsburgh Head Coach Bill Cowher spoke about the 2025 Steelers and the rest of the season on Sunday during The NFL Today, and he believes the team can start to implement a strategy to make sure the team is primed for success at the end of the season.
"This team's gonna get better, in theory, the more they play together," Cowher said. "I think the biggest question you're gonna have with them, is being their health in December as they go into the playoffs. And I would say, along the way, counting snaps as you start to build this little bit of a lead. Developing the people behind you, and saving those legs. In the past few years, we haven't had a healthy TJ Watt or Cam Heyward."
Cowher wants Pittsburgh to prioritize the health of the older players on the roster, which has been an issue entering the postseason in recent years. The former head coach wants to see the team integrate some of the younger guys on the roster while allowing the veterans to stay fresh, which might not be a bad idea as long as Pittsburgh has the game in hand.
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Steelers' Cam Heyward stands beside TJ Watt while watching a training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Both TJ Watt and Cam Heyward have adequate talent behind them to allow Pittsburgh to implement this strategy. Nick Herbig has been great throughout the 2025 season, and him getting more snaps in lieu of Watt might not be a bad thing in the long run. Rookie Jack Sawyer could also see some more playing time, as he has shown some flashes throughout his first season in the league.
Behind Heyward is rookie Yahya Black, who had a great preseason and training camp. More snaps for him could be good for Pittsburgh, as it also allows the younger players to develop and gain some more game experience. Another option would be second-year player Logan Lee, who has been relatively quiet in his first season of playing after missing his entire rookie year in 2024.
Steelers Cannot Get Ahead Of Themselves In 2025
Cowher's strategy sounds good in theory, but Pittsburgh still needs to take care of business. The team is in the middle of a stretch of very winnable games, and the group has to take advantage of those as the season will only get more difficult. If the rest of the season continues to go on the way the beginning has, with Pittsburgh stacking wins and the rest of the AFC North struggling, then it might be realistic for the coaching staff to consider some load management later in the year.
Douglas DeFelice / USA TODAY Sports
Steelers' star edge rusher TJ Watt and Head Coach Mike Tomlin communicate with one another on the sideline during a professional football game on the road.
Heyward has been banged up going into the playoffs in the past, and Watt missed Pittsburgh's playoff game during the 2023 season. Health is going to be a priority throughout the remainder of the 2025 season.
What do you think about Cowher's idea to help Pittsburgh in the long run? Let us know in the comments below!
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