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The Pittsburgh Steelers remained ever steady in 2024. Despite swapping out their quarterback room entirely, the team was still competitive. The Steelers won 10 games, keeping their streak of winning seasons under Mike Tomlin alive. They earned a trip to the post-season and again flamed out in the Wild Card Round. They made some wholesale changes on offense again in 2025, so will it make a difference? Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

For the second off-season in a row, the Steelers cleaned house in the quarterback room. Justin Fields is the starter for the New York Jets, while Russell Wilson is the starter for the New York Giants. Veteran Kyle Allen also departed, signing with the Lions. In the backfield, Najee Harris left in free agency for the Los Angeles Chargers. Meanwhile, the Steelers traded top receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys and saw veteran Van Jefferson depart for the Titans. Defensively, the team dealt safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the Miami Dolphins.

But the Steelers also re-loaded. At quarterback, the team welcomed back Mason Rudolph after a year in Tennessee. They also drafted Will Howard, out of Ohio State, in the Sixth-Round. But the big move was signing veteran Aaron Rodgers, who is expected to start. In the passing game, the team acquired D.K. Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks to lead the receiving group. Metcalf caught 438 passes for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns in six seasons for the Seahawks. The team also added veteran Robert Woods in the receiving group.

In another trade, the Steelers acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith from the Dolphins. Smith was TE4 for the Dolphins in 2024, giving the Steelers another weapon in the passing game. In the draft, the Steelers added running back Kaleb Johnson in the Second-Round. He rushed for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns last season for Iowa. He figures to be a backfield weapon for the Steelers in 2025.

Fantasy Impact

Rodgers is the starter, but will it make a difference? Despite a disastrous season with the Jets in 2024, he finished as QB15 last year. That was one spot below Wilson. It seems like a lateral move for the team. He’s a low-end QB2 for me. In the backfield, Johnson figures to split with Jaylen Warren, who finished as RB39 last season. That feels about right. I like Johnson as a low-end RB2 and Warren as more of an RB4/Flex.

In the passing game, Metcalf is by far the most attractive target. He figures to do well with Rodgers. I think he finishes in the WR2 range. It’s hard to tell what to expect from Woods and Calvin Austin, with second-year player Roman Wilson also in the mix. I’m not trusting any of them for fantasy, but if I had to take a flier it would be on Austin. At tight end, I think both Pat Freiermuth and Smith will be a factor. They’ll likely eat into each other’s volume, making them both TE2s.

The Bottom Line

The Steelers have been stuck in the same spot for years. They are good enough to make the playoffs, or be in contention, but not good enough to go far. They made wholesale changes this off-season, especially on offense. But it’s hard to say they’re better. I think the Steelers will be in the eight to 10 win range again, competing for the playoffs but no closer to being a title contender.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.