Pittsburgh Steelers almost forgot what a threatening team looked like until 2024. It took a competent front office, impressive quarterback play, and a collection of other factors for this team to emerge as a serious contender, and we don't want it to end now.
With T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward both in their 30s, the Steelers are in the final years of a Super Bowl window. The 2024 season was a refreshing treat for fans, but we don't want this emotional high to end now and the Steelers could do even more in the offseason to capitalize on their Super Bowl window.
With just a few more roster tweaks, Pittsburgh could take their game to new heights next year. Here are four New Year's wishes for the Steelers we hope come true in 2025.
1. Steelers poach WR Tee Higgins from the Bengals in Free agency
What better way to kill two birds with one stone than to poach one of the best players from the Bengals and bring him to Pittsburgh? Tee Higgins may be the most sought-after free agent on the market in 2025, but Mike Tomlin has made zero effort to hide his infatuation for the talented wide receiver.
Higgins has been a nightmare for the Steelers to deal with over the years. Instead of getting shredded by Cincinnati's passing attack for another season, Pittsburgh could give the Bengals a taste of their own medicine while adding a blue-chip piece to their roster at a critical position of need.
2. Steelers find a bonafide WR2 in the NFL Draft
If the Steelers can't keep pace with bidding on a free-agent receiver like Higgins, finding an excellent option in the NFL Draft is next on everyone's wish list. Pittsburgh needs both a running mate and an insurance policy for George Pickens, and they could find what they are looking for early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
This isn't a particularly dominant wide receiver class outside of Colorado's Travis Hunter (who is both the top cornerback and wide receiver prospect in the draft), and the Steelers will be picking late in each round. Still, finding an upgrade won't be a problem for a team without a capable second option.
Adding a starting-caliber wide receiver is a must for a team hoping to compete for a Super Bowl in 2025.
3. Steelers land a true nose tackle
Pittsburgh's defensive line is already among the best in the league, but there's one area in which they have room to improve: stopping the run. Because of a lack of true nose tackle on the roster, the Steelers have been forced to play Keeanu Benton out of position in each of his first two seasons.
Adding a stout, run-plugging nose tackle would elevate pressure from Benton and veteran Cam Heyward. It would also allow Pittsburgh's top interior defenders to earn some much-needed breaks on running downs so that they can be fresh to tee off on the quarterback in pass-rush situations.
Dominant nose tackles don't grow on trees, but having the next-generation Casey Hampton on the roster would make everyone happy in the New Year.
4. Steelers re-sign Russell Wilson
If there's only one roster decision the Steelers make in 2025, it has to be signing Russell Wilson to a contract extension. The 36-year-old quarterback grossly outperformed even the highest expectations in 2024 and reminded Steelers fans of what it's like to have a quarterback who can carry the team on his shoulders at times.
There's no doubt Wilson is in the final years of his NFL career, but Pittsburgh's best players (Watt and Heyward) are aging veterans and the time to capitalize on a Super Bowl window is now. The Steelers can worry about finding their next franchise quarterback when the window closes, but Wilson needs to be back in a Steelers uniform in 2025.