With another disastrous conclusion to the Steelers season, many fans hope the offseason will see plenty of changes. While the top decision-makers within the organization sift through their problems to create a better team, it is always fun to look ahead. The coming months are still in the planning stages for the franchise, but going through a mock offseason could provide clarity.
Make no mistake, the Steelers have plenty of options to explore in free agency and the draft. They can improve their team if they wish to get their club to another level. Right now, they have roughly 52 million in cap space, but as shown in this article, they have plenty of avenues to open more spending money. They might need it if they want to implement enough change.
Pleasing every fan in Pittsburgh is impossible, but most should be pleased with this outcome.
Creating cap space: Preston Smith (+13.4), Cole Holcomb (+6), Cordarrelle Patterson (+2.8), Dean Lowry (+2.5), Larry Ogunjobi (+7), Restructure Minkah Fitzpatrick (+7.12), Extend T.J. Watt (+15)
Let's kick off this mock offseason by cutting some players loose. There are some obvious choices to fall as cap casualties. As listed above, the numbers next to them are the amount of money they will open in cap space once they get cut. Some notable cuts are Preston Smith, Cole Holcomb, and Larry Ogunjobi. None of them did a good enough job to warrant their current contracts.
Minkah Fitzpatrick hasn't been great over the past two years, but he gets his contract reworked to provide some cap room. T.J. Watt finds an extension with the Steelers that brings some cap relief. After all these moves, Pittsburgh situates itself with a little over 99 million to spend in the offseason.
Before they turn their attention to free agency, they must bring back some of their own.
Re-sign: Justin Fields (1x10), Jaylen Warren (2x11), MyCole Pruitt (1x1.3), Tyler Matakevich (1x1.2), Elandon Roberts (2x3.5), Ben Skowronek (1x 1.2)
Just as quarterback controversy in Pittsburgh reaches a full climax, Justin Fields inks a one-year deal around what Sam Darnold signed for this past year. They chose him over Russell Wilson because he is younger and cheaper. Mike Tomlin wants mobility and Fields can provide that. He should be a decent bridge quarterback, who is betting on himself to cash in next year.
Most of their re-signings in this mock scenario were depth pieces. Guys like MyCole Pruitt, Tyler Matakevich, and Ben Skowronek. Each of them must battle for roster spots. Elandon Roberts rejoins the team as a tone-setter on defense. Jaylen Warren requires a new deal even though he isn't an unrestricted free agent. They reward him with a short-term extension.
The Steelers now head towards free agency with around 76 million in cap space, but there is breaking news!
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Mock trade! Steelers accept a blockbuster deal with Packers
There were never any extension talks with George Pickens and the Steelers want to get in front of the problem. They learned their lesson with past head cases, like Diontae Johnson. They don't want to pay Pickens and the Packers are willing to add a true number one receiver to their offense. Pittsburgh gets Jayden Reed in return, who they showed plenty of pre-draft interest in a few years back.
Free agency offense: Mac Jones (QB), A.J. Dillon (RB), Chrisitan Kirk (WR), K.J. Osborn (WR), Jedrick Wills (OT)
Free agency begins with Pittsburgh in need of a new backup quarterback. They signed Mac Jones here despite his struggles. He is a young guy who has plenty of starting experience. The former first round pick's mobility is questionable, but he should be a decent fit in their offense. A.J. Dillon is coming off an injury and signs a cheap one-year deal to try and find some footing with the Steelers.
Finally, Pittsburgh lands some quality receivers in free agency. Christian Kirk gets cut by the Jaguars and signs a fair value contract to land with the Steelers. K.J. Osborn had a down season, but he is a reliable slot receiver who can battle for the starting job in training camp with Roman Wilson. Jedrick Wills is a young offensive tackle coming off of injury who can provide competition.
Free agency defense: Javon Hargrave (DT), Armon Watts (DT), Josh Uche (EDGE), Mike Hilton (CB), Tre'Davious White (CB), Nick Scott (S)
Steelers attack defensive spending with some discount shopping in free agency. They go with a mixture of depth signings like Armon Watts, Josh Uche, and Nick Scott. All of them will have to earn roster spots, but they can also carve out quality roles on the team. They all have prior NFL experience and could boost Pittsburgh's depth at positions that will need it.
Javon Hargrave returns to the team that drafted him. He inks a nice contract that provides an upgrade over Larry Ogunjobi. Speaking of players returning to Pittsburgh, Mike Hilton also comes back. He is older but still can be effective in his role. Rounding out the defensive free agent group with Tre'Davious White as he signs a prove-it deal to battle for a starting cornerback spot.
Pittsburgh heads into the draft without any massive holes to be filled.
Steelers 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Steelers mock draft round 1: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
They have White and Cory Trice on the roster to battle for a cornerback spot, but those are too many question marks. The Steelers add Trey Amos in Round 1 as they hope he can catch onto the NFL lifestyle quickly. This prospect has immaculate size and athleticism. The Ole Miss product can jump into training camp and provide quality competition for the starting job.
Steelers mock draft round 2: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Another offseason meant another year of revamping the receiving core, but Pittsburgh keeps that going in this mock draft. Jayden Higgins is the pick here who will supply insurance in case Kirk falls off a cliff. Here is the sweet spot where the Steelers are terrific at picking receivers. Higgins has monumental size for the position and is not afraid to couple it with his superb route-running ability.
Steelers mock draft round 3: Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
After re-signing Fields and bringing in Jones, The Black and Gold stay proactive at the quarterback position. They add Riley Leonard in the third round. He was a big reason Notre Dame shot to relevancy in the College Football Playoffs. Leonard provides elite size at the position and has shown a good knack for when to run with the football and chuck it downfield.
The Steelers head into day three of this mock draft in perfect shape.
Steelers mock draft round 4: Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
With Warren and Dillon now in the fold, the Steelers felt no pressure adding a running back early on. They go with Devin Neal of Kansas to provide a long-term option for the position. Neal has shown consistent productivity as a runner which makes him good value. The long-time starter at Kansas has also shown more of an all-around game in recent years.
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Steelers mock draft round 5: Jack Nelson, OT, Wisconsin
Not much worry at the offensive tackle position, but the Steelers don't know how Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu will turn out. They brought in Wills to be a depth guy to push for a starting job, but they value the offensive trenches too much. Jack Nelson has plenty of starting experience at left tackle and some at right guard. This prospect provides position flexibility up front.
Steelers mock draft round 6 (via Packers): Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
Ideally, the Steelers would've loved to add a defensive tackle earlier. Selections fell a certain way, and Pittsburgh had to put it on the back burner. They now have Cam Heyward and Hargrave up front with Keeanu Benton. That should help calm concerns. Darius Alexander is one of the MAC players that Tomlin will love. This rocket was highly productive and can fight for a roster spot.
They round out their mock draft by adding to another position group they deem thin.
Steelers mock draft round 7: Clay Webb, OG, Jacksonville State
Finishing this mock offseason is Clay Webb. Tremendous shot at finding a diamond in the rough with this player and you better believe Pittsburgh's scouting department will love him. Webb is a durable and physical player who only missed one game during his career at Jacksonville State. He has only played guard at the collegiate level, but he could move around the interior of the offensive line.