While Pittsburgh Steelers fans may have to wait a bit yet before getting to see Aaron Rodgers' Steelers debut, they nevertheless gave fans something to be hopeful for in the 2025 season.
While fans must be careful in taking too much stock in preseason games, the Steelers did give fans a glimpse of how the team may have changed from 2024 to 2025. Offensively, they looked totally different from the way they did a year ago, and could be poised to succeed where they have faltered since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.
Here are three important things to pay attention to from our first real look at the 2025 Steelers roster.
Key takeaways from Pittsburgh Steelers impressive road win over the Jaguars
Key takeaway #1: The Steelers score 31 points
It's well known to fans that the Steelers have struggled to put up points since Big Ben retired. Even with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, the Steelers' offense seemed anemic at times. They scored less than 30 points in 14 games in 2024, including fewer than 20 points in their final four regular-season games and their wild-card round loss to the Ravens.
Sure, the 31 points in the win against Jacksonville may have come from second and third-string quarterbacks playing against mostly similar-caliber opponents, but it was a good way to start the season. We will have to wait until the regular season starts to see if they continue putting points on the board; however, so long as they do that, it will help keep them competitive and hopefully lead to ending the playoff loss streak.
Key takeaway #2: The Steelers may now be a pass-first offense.
Since the early 1970s, the Steelers have consistently employed a run-first offense, utilizing the run to set up the passing game. When the Steelers hired Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator in 2024, it was because he wanted to run the ball.
In the preseason win over Jacksonville, we saw a vastly different offense that was uncharacteristic of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Arguably, they looked like a pass-first offense who are planning to use the pass to set up the run in 2025.
Considering their starting quarterback will be Aaron Rodgers, one of the most dynamic passers in NFL history, why not pass the ball? They did pass it in their pre-season win, in which they amassed slightly more than 300 passing yards compared to just 60 yards on the ground.
In the first series alone, Mason Rudolph essentially led the Steelers down the field to an opening series touchdown through the passing game alone. It was a sight Steelers fans are not accustomed to seeing, but it worked, and they put points on the board. Leaving fans to wonder what we may see when Aaron Rodgers makes his debut.
Key takeaway # 3: The tight ends could prove beneficial to Aaron Rodgers
Knowing the Steelers traded away George Pickens has left many wondering if only having D.K. Metcalf would be enough for the Steelers' passing game. The Steelers tried to answer that question in their first action of the season, showing that they may be thin at wide receiver talent-wise; however, they are going to make up for it by using the tight ends more.
While we did not see Pat Freiermuth or Jonnu Smith in the game, it was none other than Darnell Washington who perhaps made one of the biggest splashes in the game. He only had one reception, but it was a 19-yard vertical route over the middle for a touchdown on the opening drive.
There had been hopes that Darnell Washington could have morphed into a target for Wilson or Fields last season, but those hopes never materialized. He did have a few impressive receptions in 2025; however, he still only played a minor role in the passing game, being used primarily as a blocker.
Don't assume that because he had one touchdown against Jacksonville means he is now the new offensive weapon, but his involvement in the passing game shows the Steelers' decision to beef up its tight end room isn't just for show.
In short, the Steelers fans should feel some optimism about what they saw last night in the victory. Are there still areas of concern? Sure, as in every season, 2025 is no different. Plus, some of us have been critical of trading George Pickens or even letting Russell Wilson go, but after their performance, perhaps in the grand scheme of things, they were the right moves. We will know in just a few short weeks when the regular season starts.