Thus far in 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers have gone through a season of changes and flashes to stay at the top of the AFC. This is the fourth season under General Manager Omar Khan and the 19th under Head Coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers have a 7-6 record in the regular season, keeping the AFC North title in a very close battle.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin coaching during a win over the Baltimore Ravens in 2025.
They are also trying to improve on their prior year's 10-7 record. That placing, along with the team's record, sets the stage for the rest of their story: a club trying to combine seasoned leadership, a new offensive direction, and the Steelers' long standing defensive identity.
In the front office, coaching, and important movements made during the offseason
Changes to the schematics and continuity in leadership
Mike Tomlin is still the head coach, which is part of the extended period of stability he and general manager Omar Khan have brought to Pittsburgh. The 2025 staff list shows Arthur Smith as the offensive coordinator and Teryl Austin as the defensive coordinator. This combination meant that the team made some changes on both sides of the ball as they looked to modernize their offensive ideas while keeping their defensive standards.
Big name arrival
The main story of the offseason was how the Steelers' quarterback situation changed. In 2025, the team started the year by signing Aaron Rodgers, a seasoned center who had spent two years with the New York Jets before joining the Steelers. Rodgers' participation was a planned move to bring in a proven pocket passer to steady the offense and teach younger players. Media and previews for training camp said he was the most important person to monitor during preparations.
Building a roster, the receiver corps, and the defense's identity
The Steelers made it obvious over the offseason when they made roster choices that they wanted to mix young playmakers with veteran weapons. D.K. Metcalf is now the star among the wide receivers. Some of the other top names on the 53-man roster are Jalen Ramsey, Patrick Queen, TJ Watt and Cam Heyward.
One noteworthy emotional note from 2025 is that Minkah Fitzpatrick, a former key player in Pittsburgh's secondary, is not on the Steelers' roster for the first time since he joined the team years before in 2019. He had been sent back to Miami earlier in the summer.
Balance on offense, short passes, and playmakers
Arthur Smith is responsible for the offense, and under his leadership, it became more structured compared to the passing game that the Steelers had under Matt Canada. Their strategy put the following items first:
- The offense prioritized quick, rhythm based short to intermediate passes to maintain consistency in third down conversions and safeguard against pass rushes.
- The offense aimed to hold the safety help accountable while extending the field vertically with well placed passes to playmakers like Calvin Austin III and Metcalf.
- The offense designed running plays that prioritized strong power runs on first and second downs, as well as clever misdirection on third downs.
The combination suits the receiving corps perfectly. Rodgers' understanding of the game allowed him to adjust before the snap and capitalize on what the defenses offered. Reports from the season clearly indicate that passing efficiency was a crucial factor in several close games.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throwing ball downfield in the Steelers' Week 14 game at Baltimore.
The world of betting on American football
The popularity of American football betting continued to grow in 2025. Fans used analytics, player statistics, and live in game markets to get an edge. The NFL's unexpected swings made bets more exciting than ever.
During close contests, gamblers often went to sites like Stake.com, which is recognized for giving real time odds updates and a wide range of prop possibilities. In this setting, every drive, timeout, and defensive stop became part of the betting culture, which made the weekly NFL schedule even more exciting.
Final thoughts
The 2025 campaign is best thought of as a time when the defense was changing and the offense was getting better with the help of veterans. The club proves that it can win close games, get through periods of poor play, and use its history to try out new offensive strategies.
From a personal perspective, the mix of well known veterans and young players makes for some intriguing choices in the summer. To keep the franchise's ethos, the team must keep up defensive pressure and improve coverage.
