The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2025 season in one of the most unique positions in the NFL. Their team feels incomplete still, and even if Aaron Rodgers inks a contract, there are still a lot of holes on this roster.
Naturally, this has led to many fans and major media outlets discounting this team. Their odds of a winning season are low, and almost no one is expecting a notable playoff push by Pittsburgh.
All of that means that their starters need to show up.
Naturally, some players will grow or regress as they still get settled into a new system and team. While the pressure is there to perform, they still have some time on their side if the play isn’t immediately there. Zach Frazier comes to mind as the perfect example.
However, for these five players, everything is riding on this season. A bad stretch or just general underperformance could see competition brought in next year or even their departure from the team. Here are the four Steelers starters under the most pressure this season.
5 Pittsburgh Steelers dealing with the most pressure in 2025
Mason Rudolph
I almost left Mason Rudolph off this list, as he is essentially playing with house money right now. If Rodgers doesn’t sign, he is the de facto starter, a healthy upgrade given his play in Tennessee last year.
Assuming he ends up starting, though, this is his last chance to prove that he can be the guy for a team. If given ample opportunity and he falters, he will officially settle in as a number two, similar to what happened to Gardner Minshew last year.
A strong year could do just the opposite. We have seen late bloomers at quarterback with Sam Darnold and Geno Smith, and a strong season could propel him into that territory. That could be life-altering, and Rudolph needs to show up and play well this season.
Minkah Fitzpatrick
For a stretch, there were legitimate arguments that Minkah Fitzpatrick was the best safety in the NFL and the second-best defender on the Steelers. He was a big play machine but still provided a steady presence as a run defender.
Fast forward to the present, and the story isn’t quite the same. While Fitzpatrick hasn’t been a liability, his play has lacked the splash from his earlier seasons, and he isn’t the elite presence in the secondary that he once was.
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Unfortunately for him, his contract has been bloated from when he was the best in the league. He was a legitimate cut candidate this past season, but the net savings weren’t worth the cost of moving on. If he has another lackluster season in 2025, that story will change.
It is put up or shut up time for Fitzpatrick. He needs to capture some of his old success ASAP. If not, he will more than likely be looking for a new home next season.
Joey Porter Jr.
The safest play of this list in terms of the team moving on from after this next season wraps up, Joey Porter Jr., entered the team with high expectations. The son of a Pittsburgh legend with a rare frame, the hope was for a shutdown cornerback.
The Steelers have gotten that at times, but they have also gotten a penalty-prone player during other stretches. Last year was brutal for Porter, as his long arms didn’t net pass breakups; they instead led to holding and pass interference calls.
He has a competent running mate across from him and a good mentor in Darius Slay, so at this point, the training wheels are off. This is the season that determines the future of Porter in Pittsburgh. Does he become a perennial all-pro, or is he just a good-not-great defender who earns a second contract somewhere else?
Jaylen Warren
Jaylen Warren almost cracked the top spot on this list, but his floor after 2025 is still relatively high as a good complement to an offense. However, after playing second fiddle to Najee Harris successfully, Warren can prove that he is a viable starter in this league.
While Pittsburgh will maintain its committee approach in some form or fashion, he will be the top dog initially this season. He needs to prove that he can still be effective as more than just a high-end handcuff to a starter.
I think he will rise to the occasion, and while Kaleb Johnson and, to a lesser extent, Kenneth Gainwell will have roles, I think Warren can show out as a true top back. Entering a contract year, this will have huge implications on his future earnings.
Broderick Jones
It is safe to say that Broderick Jones hasn’t had the career the Steelers envisioned he would when they traded up to take him in the draft. At times, he has looked like a turnstile, and even at his best, there are still some serious questions about his play.
There will be no more excuses after this year. He returns to his “natural” position at left tackle and enters his third season with the team. While he can still develop past this point, given his youth, if his 2025 season is a letdown, his ceiling will be capped.
So much so that if he is disappointed this year, the Steelers will likely be looking for a fresh face at tackle next year. Everything is riding on this season for Jones. He needs to show growth and progress to avoid getting the axe.