Steelers Enter 2025 with Hope — and Uncertainty
As the 2025 NFL season kicks off, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a familiar spot: competitive, yet surrounded by uncertainty. Under head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have never had a losing season — a remarkable feat of consistency in today’s volatile NFL.
But consistency hasn’t translated into postseason success, and as the franchise enters its ninth straight year without a playoff win, expectations are cautious.
The addition of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the headline move of the offseason. At 42 years old, Rodgers brings experience, leadership, and a Hall of Fame résumé. But there’s no escaping the reality that his play has declined since his back-to-back MVP seasons in 2020 and 2021.
Since 2022, his performance has been closer to league average than elite, and after sitting out the preseason, it’s fair to question what level he can realistically reach this late in his career.
Betting on a dramatic Rodgers resurgence is a gamble. But Pittsburgh is clearly banking on the idea that a better supporting cast can elevate the aging quarterback — and perhaps squeeze one more playoff run out of his illustrious career.
There’s reason for optimism. The Steelers made meaningful upgrades across the board this offseason. The offensive line, long a weak spot, now projects as a strength after a series of free-agent signings and draft investments.
Rodgers will also be throwing to a deeper, more versatile group of weapons, including second-year breakout candidate Roman Wilson and tight end Pat Freiermuth, who is coming off his best season as a pro.
Perhaps more importantly, the Steelers’ defense remains among the NFL’s elite. With T.J. Watt anchoring the pass rush and Minkah Fitzpatrick patrolling the secondary, Pittsburgh has the kind of defense that can keep them in any game — especially valuable in the rugged AFC North, where every division matchup feels like a war of attrition.
Still, the road ahead is daunting. The AFC is loaded with quarterback talent, and the division itself may be the toughest in football. Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Baltimore all field playoff-caliber rosters. The margin for error is razor thin.
That’s why, despite the promise, the Steelers must temper expectations. A playoff berth would be a meaningful step forward. A playoff win? A breakthrough. But until that actually happens, it’s hard to treat this team as anything more than a hopeful wild card in a brutal conference.
Tomlin’s steady hand gives the Steelers a solid floor. The question now is whether Rodgers — and the rest of the revamped roster — can raise the ceiling. Week 1 won’t answer everything, but it will start to show if Pittsburgh’s big bet was worth it.