With Pittsburgh officially eliminated from the playoffs after a pitiful Wild Card loss against the Ravens, it's already clear what the Steelers must focus on during the offseason to build a stronger, more competitive team. Throughout the season, and particularly with recent struggles, several key priorities have come into sharper focus that will need attention moving forward.
These weaknesses became more glaring as the season marched on and were eventually exposed in the postseason. Failing to address these needs would be utter front-office malpractice. Here are the Steelers' biggest priorities during the 2025 offseason.
Priority #1 : Steelers must find a long term solution at QB
Reports have surfaced over the past couple of weeks suggesting that the Steelers may look to bring back Russell Wilson this offseason. On the surface, that seems like a reasonable option—but at what cost? His projected contract of around $40 million per year raises serious questions. After watching Wilson’s recent performances—and seeing his offense put up zero points in the first half of their lone playoff game—I’d be extremely cautious about committing that kind of money.
The free-agent quarterback market is thin, making this decision even trickier. Ideally, if Wilson were willing to accept a short-term, team-friendly deal, it could provide a stopgap solution. However, at this stage of his career, his limitations are clear, and he doesn’t offer a long-term answer for Pittsburgh’s offense.
Another path would be to let Wilson walk and re-sign Justin Fields at a much lower cost. Fields hasn’t played much this season but has had the chance to learn behind Wilson. The gamble would be seeing if the added development time has sharpened his game. If he shows progress, the Steelers could ride with Fields for a couple more years, capitalizing on his youth and potential upside.
Beyond those two options, the landscape gets murkier. This year’s draft class lacks appealing quarterback prospects, and other free-agent alternatives—like Sam Darnold—are likely off the table. It’s hard to imagine Minnesota letting Darnold walk. However, if the Vikings were open to trading last year’s first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy, that could be intriguing.
The Steelers have never been the type of franchise to land a top draft pick or trade a king’s ransom for one. But if they could acquire a potential franchise quarterback like McCarthy with a first-rounder and a bit more, it’s an option worth exploring. For now, careful consideration of both short- and long-term consequences will be key to navigating this pivotal offseason decision.
Priority #2: Steelers need to acquire legit WR threats
After an offseason filled with wide receiver trade rumors—including a near-deal involving Brandon Aiyuk—and renewed efforts at the trade deadline, the Steelers’ search for a top-tier pass catcher to complement George Pickens ultimately fell short.
Without a viable backup plan in place, the team is now feeling the effects of those missed opportunities. The current wide receiver room is underwhelming, lacking the depth and dynamic talent necessary to consistently threaten opposing defenses.
Fortunately, with a healthy amount of cap space available this offseason, the Steelers have a chance to reshape their offensive arsenal. A strong push for one of the top receivers in free agency—perhaps a bold pursuit of Tee Higgins—should be a top priority. But the effort shouldn't stop there. Investing a Day 1 or Day 2 draft pick on another promising receiver would further solidify the position.
While third-round pick Roman Wilson remains untested, and George Pickens approaches a contract year, the time is now to build a stronger receiving corps. Whoever lines up under center in 2025 will need a better set of weapons to reach their full potential, and the Steelers can’t afford to miss again when it comes to upgrading their offensive firepower.
Priority #3: Steelers must fire defensive coordinator Teryl Austin
Even though the team extended their defensive coordinator last January, it’s time to move on. Despite overseeing the highest-paid defense in football, the results continue to fall short, and his supposed expertise in the secondary hasn’t translated into consistent success.
This season should be the final straw. Over the past month, the defense has been shredded by top-tier quarterbacks—and this with a relatively healthy unit for most of the year.
A defense as talented as Pittsburgh’s should be dominating, not underperforming. Persistent communication issues, which have plagued the team for two seasons, remain unresolved under his leadership. While a coordinator change may be unlikely, we all recognize who truly drives the defensive side of things.
However, injecting a fresh perspective would benefit everyone. With a defense so highly compensated, the current level of performance demands accountability, and Teryl Austin has yet to deliver the necessary answers.
Priority #4 : Steelers must find a legit starting cornerback
Cornerback depth has been a persistent issue for the Steelers, and it’s an area that must be addressed next season. Donte Jackson, set to enter free agency this offseason, has posted 5 interceptions so far this year.
While his performance has been inconsistent, there’s a strong chance another team might overpay for his services. Pittsburgh, however, needs far more consistency on the boundary. Retaining Jackson on a one-year deal could be a smart move, given his familiarity with the system, but the Steelers must pursue stronger options—whether through free agency, the draft, or both.
Meanwhile, Joey Porter Jr. has struggled with consistency in his sophomore season, showing signs of regression. Cory Trice Jr. has been sidelined by injuries and has barely seen the field. This combination leaves Pittsburgh in dire need of a reliable outside corner and as much depth as possible at the position. Strengthening the cornerback unit should be one of the top priorities to solidify the secondary moving forward.
Priority #5: Steelers need to find Cameron Heyward's successor
Under Omar Khan and Andy Weidl, the Steelers have made it clear that building strength in the trenches is a top priority, as highlighted by their first-round selections of tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu in consecutive drafts. This strategy has begun to solidify the offensive front, but now it’s time to turn attention to the defensive line.
Cameron Heyward, despite delivering a career-best season, is edging closer to the twilight of his career. Even with a fresh contract extension, time remains undefeated. Meanwhile, Larry Ogunjobi’s future in Pittsburgh is uncertain, as he approaches free agency and could become a cap casualty. Beyond Heyward, Benton, and Ogunjobi, the depth chart lacks impactful talent — a concern that demands immediate action.
Prioritizing a defensive lineman in the upcoming draft isn’t just about bolstering the present; it’s about preparing for the future. The right pick could step into a rotational role, gaining invaluable experience while learning from a potential Hall of Famer in Heyward. With Keeanu Benton emerging as a building block of Pittsburgh’s defensive line, the moment has arrived to find a complementary piece who can grow alongside him.