Well, it was not the way everyone who follows the Steelers wanted it to end, but only one team can win the Super Bowl after all. No one should be shocked by the numerous times where Pittsburgh has failed in the playoffs thanks to Mike Tomlin and his failed coaching prowess in the postseason. Attention will be fully turned to the offseason process as they try to get that precious playoff run.
With the draft in late April and free agency kicking off in early March, the Steelers will have to make some tough decisions sooner rather than later. They have questions up and down their roster with plenty of pending free agents who were impactful this season.
Pittsburgh will also need to make decisions on potential coaching changes and some possible moves in the front office as well. Here are five difficult decisions they must make in 2025.
Cutting a slew of veterans
Pittsburgh sits with about $52 million in cap space right now, but they could open more. Some potential cap casualties could be Preston Smith, Cole Holcomb, Cordarrelle Patterson, Dean Lowry, and Larry Ogunjobi just to name a few. These potential cuts would open the floodgates of cap room for the Steelers and would land them with a little over $80 million dollars to spend this offseason.
Keeping Russell Wilson or Justin Fields
With Russell Wilson's late-season collapse, the quarterback question will be a hot-button topic in Pittsburgh. Wilson has lost favor within the fan base, and some have turned towards wanting Justin Fields back next year. They want him to start, and it might be a financially wise choice. Wilson has provided some nice things for this franchise, but he could cost too much in free agency.
READ MORE: 5 Steelers players who won't be back next year
Steelers must decide whether to trade George Pickens
Another big topic this offseason will be the ongoing coverage of the receiver problem. Not only finding an upgrade or two at the position but the continued issues George Pickens has shown throughout his young career. The Steelers traded Diontae Johnson in hopes it would help Pickens, but the opposite happened. Trading him might be for the best as he is ready for a contract extension.
Deciding which coaches should be fired
Many want Tomlin gone, but it has already been reported that he will return. Some should be worried about their coaching job in the Steelers organization. Those who could get let go are Pat Meyer (O-line), Phil Matusz (Strength), Teryl Austin (D-Coordinator), and Grady Brown (Secondary). Perhaps the biggest shocker would be Austin, but he would be a scapegoat for Tomlin's poor defense.
'Running it back' in 2025 with the same leaders
Here is the big one, but it is something the Steelers will probably contemplate. Don't be shocked if they try their best to bring back both Wilson and Fields. They feel like they are not that far away from a playoff victory despite their fanbase seeing it completely different. Pittsburgh wants postseason success, and if they feel like they were close, then they will make minor alterations.