The term breakout has to be used loosely with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. For a team sitting at 5-4 and losing its grip on a flimsy AFC North lead, finding players on the roster who are suddenly difference makers isn’t exactly an easy task.
Bleacher Report took a shot at naming each team’s breakout player halfway through the season, and for Pittsburgh, they chose second-year wideout Roman Wilson. Wilson has the fewest targets on the team of any player with at least five. He has just 11 catches for 149 yards and two garbage-time scores.
Wilson is certainly getting more opportunities as the season progresses. Still, he hasn’t reached breakout status, considering the team’s glaring need for a WR2, coupled with him and others not stepping up to fill the need.
But if not Wilson, who is the Steelers’ breakout player of 2025?
Looking at the Pittsburgh Steelers’potential breakout candidates in 2025
I’d wager there are three candidates who better fit the category of breakout player on the Steelers' roster: right tackle Troy Fautanu, linebacker Payton Wilson, and tight end Darnell Washington.
Darnell Washington showing glimpses of a breakout season in Pittsburgh
Washington could be disqualified for the same statistical reasons as Wilson. He’s third in targets among Steelers tight ends. Of course, it’s hard to discount his impact on the offense, nonetheless. When he’s on the field, good things happen, most notably in the win-loss column and to the benefit of the rushing attack.
Arguably, no Steeler player this season has garnered more favor from the fanbase than Washington. Still, Washington is a bit capped in what he brings to the passing game because of the depth chart and the unique nature of his stature at the position. Maybe next year.
Could Payton Wilson be the Steelers’ breakout defensive force?
Payton Wilson has made some plays that have excited fans into believing he’s taken a dramatic step this season. He caused two massive turnovers against the Colts and has already matched his tackle production from a season ago exactly, with more TFLs and a sack to boot.
Wilson’s preseason claim that he believes he’s the best cover linebacker in the NFL keeps following him, though. He has two pass deflections and the pick, already matching last year's stats. However, according to Pro Football Reference, he’s allowed 31 of 34 passes in his coverage area to be completed for 281 yards and two scores. Last season, he allowed 31 completions on 39 targets for 215 yards and no touchdowns.
On top of that, Wilson is still conceding snaps on run downs. Malik Harrison was the first linebacker out next to Patrick Queen against the Chargers, and Cole Holcomb has eaten into his snaps when healthy this year, too. Wilson is developing into a three-down backer, but he’s not quite there yet. Like Washington, 2026 could be the stage for his real breakout season.
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Troy Fautanu emerging as the Steelers’ true breakout star
That leaves us with Fautanu, who I believe is the true breakout star on this team. According to Pro Football Focus, Fautanu has allowed just one sack, two hits, and 14 total pressures this season, all while only being called for three penalties.
Sure, Fautanu is playing what is effectively his rookie season, and fans may not be buzzing about him every single week, but such is life for an NFL right tackle. Fautanu is having some ups and downs; his game against the Chargers certainly wasn’t his best either.
But the same concerns that follow Broderick Jones every week on the other side aren’t present with Fautanu. His technique is crisp, and it’s reflected in his grades and production at nearly every angle. While Jones is still trying to prove he was worth a first-round selection, Fautanu is playing up to his status as such.
It goes without saying that Fautanu still has a lot of room to grow as a professional, much like the other names mentioned here. But as far as a young talent playing above expectations and proving that he has lasting staying power in the lineup, no one is hitting that mark like Fautanu this season for the Steelers.