The Pittsburgh Steelers have started the 2025 NFL season with a bang, managing to win 4 out of 6 games so far this season, only losing against a stacked Seahawks roster in the second game of the season and a Joe Flacco-led Bengals team last Thursday night.
Seattle Seahawks
Steelers' Mike Tomlin meets Seahawks' Mike McDonald after losing to Seattle in 2025.
After a crazy offseason, which saw a tremendous turnover in the roster, the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf have transformed the Steelers into a real contender to win it all.
Still, there are some players who have not been at their best so far this season, with many being able to produce higher numbers than the ones they’ve done these first few weeks of the season. Whether you’ve been following every snap or just catching the highlights, the story so far has been clear. Some Steelers have hit the ground running, while others are still trying to find their rhythm. Here’s a look at who’s been shining and who still has something to prove.
The Elite Three Carrying the Steel
Despite all the roster changes, it was clear that the Steelers would maintain their identity under head coach Mike Tomlin: being very strong defensively. Despite conceding many points early on so far this season, the Steelers are slowly strengthening their defensive line whilst, of course, being a huge offensive threat.
And that’s, of course, thanks to Aaron Rodgers, arguably one of the best signings in the off season and the backbone of the Steelers’ offense. Although his numbers aren’t as good as they were during his prime, Rodgers has shown that his experience wins games, acting as the offensive “maestro” of the Steelers, showcasing his abilities as the leader of the attack. We mustn’t forget about his ability to nail the right play in every situation, a true gamechanger for the Steelers, who are now, thanks to Rodgers, strong both defensively and offensively.
Another individual who has been performing tremendously is Jaylen Warren, the new starting running back. Although, at the start of the season, the aim was to give minutes to all running backs, Jaylen Warren’s performances are too good not to put him as the main running back of the team. Warren has been key at many moments of the first five games of the year, giving the Steelers vital points thanks to his excellent vision and tremendous aggressive running style, making him the perfect partner for Aaron Rodgers and gaining advantage on many short-yardage situations. Although expectations are high for the Steelers offensively, as they have not produced the expected numbers, Jaylen Warren seems to be the one carrying the team on that aspect.
Finally, we couldn’t forget about, arguably, one of the best defenders in the NFL: T.J. Watt. It doesn’t matter who or how they play, TJ Watt is always there to throw the opposition's game plan off. His defensive impact is vital for the Steelers, being one of the most decisive players in the league when it comes to defensive numbers. In a style where defense is the best offense, TJ Watt remains the star of Tomlin’s system. And he has proven that so far this season, producing elite numbers which put him as one of the contenders for defensive player of the year.
The Steelers’ strong start hasn’t gone unnoticed outside the locker room. After the early wins, plenty of talk shows, podcasts, and fans have begun to shift how they see this team. Some are already whispering about a Super Bowl run, and the betting chatter has picked up, too. Those looking to ride the momentum, or make the most of offers including free bets, have started backing Pittsburgh to keep climbing. It’s a fair reaction. The pieces look good, the energy feels real, and for once, belief around the Steelers isn’t just blind hope.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Jaylen Warren, Broderick Jones, and Aaron Rodgers celebrate after a big play during the 2025 season.
Much More to Do
Although the Steelers have started the season with a 4-2 record, there are many aspects where the team has to improve, especially if winning the Super Bowl is the objective. Despite being good defensively, the team needs to desperately find its form on the offensive side of things, as the numbers, as briefly explained before, have not been as good as they could have been.
The first two players are somewhat obvious, as both wide receiver Roman Wilson and tight end Pat Freiermuth have been close to nonexistent to start the season. Many expected both players to be extremely vital to the offense. The Steelers' ground and pound approach have limited their opportunities thus far.
On defense, Payton Wilson has gotten off to a slow start, and Cole Holcomb has begun splitting snaps at middle linebacker. All three players still have plenty of time to turn things around, but Steelers fans should keep an eye on these promising players.
