Steelers Team Notes

Free agent quarterback doubles down on interest in signing with the Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have some decisions to make when free agency starts in a month. Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both set to hit free agency and it isn’t clear if either will return.

This means the Steelers could be in the market to not only draft a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft but also add another veteran in free agency. One of those veterans who seems openly interested in playing for the Steelers is Jameis Winston.

Winston was on Up and Adams and he not only listed the Steelers as a team he’d like to play for but according to Adams, he also mentioned head coach Mike Tomlin specifically.

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The Steelers could do much worse than Winston this offseason. He’s not only one of the genuine good guys in the league, he is also still playing good football. Good enough at least to be a bridge quarterback for the team while they get a rookie integrated into the offense.

More 2025 Steelers free agency!​

Steelers favored to land Jets QB Aaron Rodgers in 2025 offseason​


Steelers QB Russell Wilson linked to NFC East team as 2025 destination​


Mike Tomlin's loyalty could impact Steelers' QB decision, per insider​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2...-jameis-winston-russell-wilson-justin-fields/
 
Ranking all 32 teams (including the Steelers) on salary cap space

2024 was supposed to be different for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A New offensive coordinator, new starting quarterbacks and even more money invested in the most expensive defense in the league should have added up to a playoff run. Right?

After losing four straight regular season games, the Steelers got bounced in the first round of the playoffs and it was more of the same for the Steelers.

Now the Steelers head into the offseason with just over $40 million in salary-cap space and plenty of opportunities to create even more cap space with some cuts and contract work.

Here is every NFL team’s current salary cap space (including the Steelers) according to Over The Cap:
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/lists/steelers-2025-nfl-salary-cap/
 
Ranking our 6 favorite options for the Steelers at WR in 2025

Between free agency, a trade and the 2025 NFL draft, there’s no excuse for the Pittsburgh Steelers to go into the 2025 season with a substandard group of wide receivers like they did in 2024. Of all those options, we ranked our six favorites while remaining realistic, especially in terms of the draft. This list includes two free agents, two trades and two rookies.
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/l...ens-tee-higgins-cooper-kupp-deebo-samuel-nfl/
 
Steelers among winningest teams in NFL over the last decade

The great debate when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers has everything to do with whether or not the Steelers should continue with head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin is a regular-season coach with zero losing seasons in the last 18 seasons but eight straight post-seasons without a playoff win. Ownership is obviously comfortable with the Steelers as they stand and when it comes to the regular season, the Steelers are amount the best.

Here are the six winningest regular-season teams over the past decade.
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/lists/steelers-nfl-regular-season-chiefs-bills-mike-tomlin/
 
2025 NFL Draft: 5 quarterbacks the Steelers should consider drafting

The Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with the same problem that has reared its ugly head ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired at the conclusion of the 2022 season—finding the next QB of the future.

Although Russell Wilson and Justin Fields have shown flashes of talent that led many to believe in their starting capabilities heading into 2025, neither has shown enough to warrant bearing the weight of the future of this great franchise. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers should draft one of these five QBs to develop into the next Black and Gold franchise signal-caller.
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/lists/2025-nfl-draft-qb-steelers-will-howard-jaxson-dart/
 
Is Preston Smith's Steelers release leading to a new superstar WR?

Something exciting may be brewing behind the scenes for the Pittsburgh Steelers. One of the most anticipated moves of the 2025 offseason took place on Friday with the release of Steelers OLB Preston Smith, who was a healthy scratch in two of the final three games of the team’s 2024 season.

Releasing Smith gave the Pittsburgh Steelers an additional $13.4 million in cap space, further increasing the likelihood of a blockbuster move as the 2025 free agency period in March approaches.

Altogether, the Steelers now have more than $50 million in cap space. While several key players remain unsigned, there should still be enough room for one huge name via trade or signing—such as 49ers’ Deebo Samuel or Rams’ Cooper Kupp.

Both Samuel and Kupp were linked as trade targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers throughout 2024. Now that both the 49ers and Rams are likely to move on from their former All-Pro wide receivers in 2025, Smith’s release seems to be the catalyst for a massive trade.

More Steelers trade scenarios!​

Steelers writer shoots down Trevor Lawrence trade rumors​


What would it cost the Steelers to trade for 49ers WR Deebo Samuel?​


Could the Steelers make a shocking trade for Cowboys' Micah Parsons?​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/15/preston-smith-deebo-samuel-cooper-kupp-steelers-2025/
 
Breaking down the Steelers picks in new 3-round mock draft

We are just over two months away from the start of the 2025 NFL draft and less than a month away from free agency. Once the first onslaught of free-agent signings is over, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have a better idea of what needs to remain once the draft starts.

The 33rd team put out a new three-round mock draft and we decided to take a look at the picks for the Steelers and spoiler alert. This is pretty darn good.

In the first round, the Steelers selected former Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden. This is with Luther Burden III still on the board and it is a very real scenario the Steelers could find themselves in. Picking Golden is banking on Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin III stepping up in the short passing game as Golden is more of a deep threat, whereas Burden is the guy who takes short routes and turns them into long gains.

Moving to the second round, they have the Steelers picking Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander. Alexander is a very strong interior defender and would be a great addition next to Keeanu Benton in the middle. The Steelers need to get far more physical up front so Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams could be an option in this scenario as well.

Finally, in the third round, the Steelers picked Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. Howard is one of our favorites of the next tier of quarterbacks with his strong arm, size and sneaky athleticism he’s really a great package to develop into a high-end starter.

Overall, this would be a rock-solid mock for the Steelers. Two guys who can be impact players as rookies would be hard to complain about, especially at the team’s two biggest needs.

More 2025 NFL draft!​

2025 NFL Draft: 5 quarterbacks the Steelers should consider drafting​


Steelers land wide receiver of the future in latest NFL 2025 mock draft​


2025 NFL draft: A DL in every round for the Steelers​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/15/steelers-2025-nfl-mock-draft-matthew-golden/
 
Steelers potentially lose out on top wide receiver in 2025 Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been dealt a massive blow to their 2025 free agency plans—thanks to their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals.

It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers were in desperate need of an elite wide receiver opposite George Pickens heading into 2025 free agency, and Bengals WR Tee Higgins was predicted to be a highly sought-after free agent for the Steel City.

Despite playing in just 12 games in the 2024 season, Higgins produced 911 receiving yards and 10 TDs, including an impressive Week 17 performance that saw the Bengals wide receiver haul in 11 passes for 131 yards and three receiving TDs.

However, Cincinnati seemed to pull the rug out from under the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason plans, as it has been reported that the Bengals plan to franchise tag Higgins.

Not much of a surprise. Allows them to either continue negotiating with him or tag and trade at a later date.

Also controls that Higgins will not go to Pittsburgh or Baltimore. This makes total sense for Cincinnati. https://t.co/hgldQ62Lr7

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 17, 2025
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Ultimately, this will prevent the Pittsburgh Steelers from acquiring Higgins, as the odds of the Bengals trading away their star receiver to a bitter rival are astronomically low—adding another chapter to the Black and Gold book of ‘what if’ wide receiver acquisitions.

More!​

Steelers may have received bad news regarding Deebo Samuel trade​


Steelers offseason plan of attack: Running back​


Mark Kaboly argues Steelers higher-ups prefer Russell Wilson in 2025​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/17/tee-higgins-steelers-bengals-free-agency-franchise-tag/
 
2025 NFL draft: A WR in every round for the Steelers

Last season was a failed experiment for the Pittsburgh Steelers at wide receiver. After trading away Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh never found a decent replacement and this just put more pressure on George Pickens. Frankly,

Pickens didn’t react well at all to being the team’s No. 1 receiver and so with several guys on the way out once free agency hits, Pittsburgh is going to have to dedicate resources to reloading the depth chart. Here is a prospect in each round of the 2025 NFL draft for the Steelers to consider.
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/l...rs-2025-nfl-draft-emeka-egbuka-luther-burden/
 
Projected NFL franchise and transition tag values

Thanks to the good folks at Over the Cap, we have the projected values for the franchise tag and transition tag for each position. Tuesday marks the day NFL franchises like the Pittsburgh Steelers can designate pending free agents for the tag.

Here is the full rundown from OTC.

Position Franchise Tag Transition Tag
Quarterback $41,325,000 $35,267,000
Linebacker $27,050,000 $22,612,000
Wide receiver $25,693,000 $22,523,000
Offensive line $25,156,000 $22,745,000
Defensive end $24,727,000 $20,769,000
Defensive tackle $23,468,000 $18,934,000
Cornerback $20,357,000 $17,198,000
Safety $19,626,000 $15,598,000
Tight end $14,241,000 $12,069,000
Running back $13,629,000 $10,823,000
Special teams $6,459,000 $5,830,000

We’ve already speculated that none of the Steelers pending class of free agents warrant the franchise tag or transition tag. Pittsburgh has more than $40 million in salary-cap space as well as room to add even more space with some cap cuts and contract restructures.

More 2025 Steelers offseason!​

Do not expect the Steelers to use the franchise tag this year​


Steelers potentially lose out on top 2025 free agent wide receiver​


Steelers may have received bad news regarding Deebo Samuel trade​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2...steelers-nfl-franchise-transition-tag-values/
 
Steelers land running back of the future in latest NFL mock draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have several question marks surrounding their offense heading into the 2025 free agency period.

Although many will quickly point out the desperate need to re-sign either QB Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, the Pittsburgh Steelers are primarily a run-first team—with both starting-caliber RBs set to hit free agency in less than one month’s time.

Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah considered this when creating his latest 2025 NFL mock draft and projected the Pittsburgh Steelers to land Boise State superstar RB Ashton Jeanty:

“The Steelers spent the past two drafts beefing up their offensive line. Now they land a top-five player [Jeanty] in the class to run behind it.”
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The idea that Jeanty would drop as far as 21st overall in the 2025 NFL Draft may be surprising—and unlikely—to almost everyone. However, many teams picking in the first 20 selections have far more pressing needs than running back.

Although the Pittsburgh Steelers would be wise to draft a defensive lineman, defensive back, or wide receiver with their first-round pick, Jeanty would be far too great a talent to pass up.

More!​

2025 NFL draft: Ranking our 6 favorite options for the Steelers in the first round​


2025 NFL draft: A WR in every round for the Steelers​


Steelers should avoid making 'Kenny Pickett mistake' in 2025 NFL Draft​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2...-back-of-the-future-in-latest-nfl-mock-draft/
 
Predicting the Steelers' starting o-line ahead of 2025 Free Agency

With the Pittsburgh Steelers just under a month away from the start of 2025 Free Agency and the legal tampering period, many fans are wondering what is in store for the team’s offensive line.

Once an area of weakness, the offensive line seemed primed for big things before several season-ending injuries left the 2024 unit battered and bruised.

In 2025, it should be expected that Troy Fautanu, the former first-round pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, will return to starting RT duties, while Broderick Jones—who struggled mightily in 2024—will move back to his natural LT position.

After returning from injury, LG Isaac Seumalo looked great during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 campaign, as did rookie RG Mason McCormick, who filled in nicely for the injured OG James Daniels.

As much of the Black and Gold faithful are well aware, the Steelers’ center position is all but locked up for 2025—as rookie Zach Frazier was arguably the best offensive lineman in Pittsburgh this season.

With that in mind, fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers should expect these players to start on the offensive line: Jones at LT, Seumalo at LG, Frazier at C, McCormick at RG, and Fautanu at RT.

More!​

Steelers eye huge bump thanks to salary cap increase for 2025​


Projected NFL franchise and transition tag values​


Do not expect the Steelers to use the franchise tag this year​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2...eumalo-mason-mccormick-zach-frazier-steelers/
 
Tenuous QB situation could doom Steelers before the season starts

Just like the 2024 offseason, the 2025 offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers is centered squarely on the quarterback position. After a complete rebuild of the depth chart last offseason, the Steelers offense didn’t see any real growth.

Now, as the Steelers embark on another quarterback carousel adventure, and this time it is going to be a very different journey.

All three of the Steelers quarterbacks from last season are set to hit free agency and realistically, only one is returning. However, neither Justin Fields or Russell Wilson inspired any real confidence they could get the Steelers offense over the hump.

This means even if the Steelers keep one, more help needs to be added. And this is not the offseason to need help at quarterback. There are no headliners in free agency with Sam Darnold as the top option. The same Darnold who completely collapsed at the end of the season and reverted back to form from prior to 2024.

Things aren’t any better when it comes to the 2025 NFL draft. The top two options, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders wouldn’t be in the Top 6 of last year’s quarterback class and both will be long gone by the No. 21 pick.

This means if the Steelers draft a quarterback (and they should) it will be a developmental guy like Jalen Milroe or Will Howard who isn’t going to help the team much in 2025.

So what does this all mean? Mostly likely it means the Steelers will be forced to tread water in 2025, wear down the defense trying to keep them in games and frankly hope to get lucky.

More 2025 Steelers offseason!​

Steelers projected salary cap space after updated numbers​


Steelers among favorites to trade for Matt Stafford​


Predicting the Steelers' starting o-line ahead of 2025 Free Agency​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/20/steelers-quarterback-russell-wilson-justin-fields/
 
What would it cost the Steelers to trade for Rams QB Matthew Stafford?

Although the 2025 offseason is just getting started, there seems to be no end to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ trade speculation!

Steelers fans have seen a variety of trade targets linked to their team over the past several weeks, including Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, 49ers WR Deebo Samuel, and Rams WR Cooper Kupp.

However, Kupp isn’t the only Los Angeles Ram favored to join the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team currently has the second-best betting odds to trade for Rams QB Matthew Stafford at +500.

Many fans may be wondering—if the Pittsburgh Steelers could theoretically acquire Stafford, how much would it cost the team?

Fox Sports insider Jordan Schultz argued that acquiring Stafford wouldn’t be cheap, with the Rams potentially seeking a first-round draft pick as the asking price.

That price is likely too steep for the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially considering the team has the option to re-sign either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson. However, Stafford’s talent is undeniable, even at 37 years old.

If the Steelers could offer a young wide receiver to lower the asking price, such as Calvin Austin III, acquiring Stafford would seem like a slam dunk trade for both parties.

More Steelers trade scenarios!​

Steelers predicted to land 49ers star WR Deebo Samuel for fourth-round draft pick​


Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence tackles Steelers trade rumors​


Steelers may have received bad news regarding Deebo Samuel trade​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/20/matthew-stafford-trade-compensation-steelers-rams/
 
Deshon Elliott's photo with Aaron Rodgers fuels latest Steelers rumors

DeShon Elliott, one of the most outspoken critics of Aaron Rodgers potentially joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, may have been trolling the NFL world when he said the four-time MVP should stay in a retirement home.

Rodgers has been linked to the Steelers ever since the New York Jets informed the 41-year-old QB that they’d be moving in a different direction at the position in 2025.

Elliott had taken to social media to voice his displeasure with Rodgers potentially coming to the Steel City, but it appears that may have just been an act.

On Instagram, the Steelers safety posted a story featuring both himself and Rodgers posing for a photo in hilarious fashion.

Deshon Elliott on IG
😂
😂
😂
pic.twitter.com/QSrm0k6bGI

— 1.issue (@14issues1) February 18, 2025
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The photo, taken by Proactive Sports Performance, included an even funnier caption by the California based athlete training facility that read: “Who retires first?”

Were Elliott’s prior comments on Rodgers simply a joke, or does the safety see the writing on the wall—that the former Super Bowl-winning Packers QB could soon be headed to the Steel City as a Pittsburgh Steeler?

More 2025 Steelers offseason!​

Full list of Steelers players on Injured/Reserve​


Aaron Rodgers-Steelers rumors ignite heated ESPN First Take debate​


Steelers updated offseason roster ahead of free agency​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/21/deshon-elliott-aaron-rodgers-rumors-steelers/
 
REPORT: Steelers coaches 'overruled' when asking to bench Russell Wilson

Last season was a roller coaster ride for the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks. Russell Wilson suffers an injury very early in the offseason, opening the door for Justin Fields to start the season. He did just that and went 4-2 in his first six games.

Then once Wilson was healthy he took over the starting spot, relegating Fields back to the bench. And for seven weeks it worked. Sort of. Wilson had a few solid games in there but most importantly, the team was winning.

Then the bottom dropped out for Wilson. He reverted back to some bad habits, took way too many hits and was holding onto the football for far too long. Fans and pundits were screaming for the Steelers to put Fields back in after Wilson started to struggle but to no avail.

Now, according to NFL reporter Adam Caplan, there were coaches within the organization begging for Fields to be the starter again but according to Caplan, they were “overruled.”

“I’d be very surprised if Russell Wilson comes back.” @caplannfl shares his thoughts on the Pittsburgh Steelers QB situation with @FerrallonGrid:#NFL #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/9c9TfexLpu

— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) February 21, 2025
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Caplan offered no specifics but it isn’t much of a reach to assume at least one offensive coach who wanted Fields back on the field was offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and the source of the final ruling was head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin has this entire staff and roster under his thumb and micromanages them to a point where the rest of the people on the staff don’t really matter.

More Steelers News!​

NFL draft expert endorses huge DT for Steelers in 1st round​


Steelers' Cameron Johnston: Key free agent signing faces uncertain future in Pittsburgh​


Steelers name replacement for inside linebackers coach Aaron Curry​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2...n-justin-fields-nfl-mike-tomlin-arthur-smith/
 
Steelers miss out on opportunity to upgrade defensive coordinator

The only Pittsburgh Steelers coach who seems to get more leeway than head coach Mike Tomlin is defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. He has been handed the most expensive defense in the NFL but finds a way to continually underperform.

There was a chance that the Steelers would move on from Austin and try to bring the Steelers defense up to a championship level. One name we were keeping a close eye on was former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh seems to be content to continue with Austin and Staley is now the new defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints.

Saints to hire former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as new Defensive Coordinator. (via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero, @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/61avZXvrXo

— NFL (@NFL) February 21, 2025
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The Steelers defense was No. 8 in the NFL in points allowed and No. 12 in yards allowed in 2024. Unfortunately, during the Steelers losing streak to finish the season, the defense struggled and ran out of gas down the line. The team also struggled mightily to rush the passer, a staple of this group historically.

More Steelers News!​

Steelers sign former AFC West tight end to one-year deal​


Steelers HC not scheduled to speak at scouting combine​


Steelers shockingly pass on Shedeur Sanders in new NFL mock draft​
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Source: https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/21/steelers-nfl-brandon-staley-teryl-austin/
 
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