As a new year ushers in, fans must prepare for a significant roster turnover on the Pittsburgh Steelers. As the front office looks for ways to improve and best utilize the team's limited resources, some players will leave in free agency while others will be cut to make room for potential roster upgrades.
Roster turnover is inevitable in professional sports, and oftentimes, change is for the best. But there are some young players on the team Pittsburgh shouldn't easily part with. Despite their current situations, these four young players are worth keeping around in 2025.
Jaylen Warren, RB
Jaylen Warren served as an excellent rotational back behind Najee Harris over the past three seasons. The explosive running back proved to be an excellent addition to the roster as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Unfortunately, Warren's time with the team could be coming to an end.
Both Warren and Harris will be unrestricted free agents in 2025, and it's anyone's guess as to what the Steelers will do at the running back position. With plenty left in the tank and not as much tread off the tires as Najee, Warren should be brought back on a new deal during the offseason.
Justin Fields, QB
It doesn't feel like Justin Fields will become the quarterback of the future in Pittsburgh — especially after Russell Wilson claimed the starting quarterback job and never looked back. However, there's no question that quarterback is the most important position in football and you can never have enough talent at the position.
Though some teams could view Fields as a potential stop-gap starter in 2025, the Steelers should do everything in their power to bring him back for another season. Still just 25 years old, Fields is arguably the best insurance policy at the position.
At this point in his career, it's unreasonable to expect substantial improvements from Fields as a passer, but his outstanding mobility and ability to control the game would give the Steelers a quality option they could turn to at quarterback if injuries occur.
DeMarvin Leal, DL
Unlike Jaylen Warren and Justin Fields, DeMarvin Leal is still under contract for one more season. However, his spot on the roster next year is far from secure. Following a disappointing 2023 campaign, Leal was talked about as a player on the hot seat in 2024.
Instead, Leal had a great summer and was expected to work in the edge rusher rotation before suffering a season-ending injury. Though he will be entering his fourth season in 2025, the 2022 third-round pick is still just 23 years old with his best football ahead of him.
Leal has always been a 'tweener' between an edge rusher and an interior defender and the Steelers have had trouble figuring out how to use him at times. Still, defensive line depth is at a premium in this league and there's a major talent shortage when it comes to versatile defensive linemen. Pittsburgh should allow Leal to play out the final year of his contract in 2025 and go from there.
Cory Trice Jr., DB
I don't typically have so many positive things to say about a player who has played so few snaps with the Steelers. Cory Trice Jr. missed his entire rookie season with an ACL injury and barely played in his second season in 2024, but the Steelers can't give up on him yet.
Trice has an extensive injury which includes multiple knee and ankle ailments. More than likely, the talented defensive back is an injury-prone player who will frequently deal with injury problems. However, it's hard to find natural, fluid defensive backs who are 6'3'' and can run and cover.
Trice has two years remaining on his rookie contract, and if he can finally find a way to stay healthy in 2025, he could be an asset on the Steelers' roster next season.