The outlook for the Steelers next season appears bleak after a frustrating collapse that saw the team lose five straight games. What’s even more disheartening is the organization’s apparent determination to do nothing substantial to fix its coaching staff. Mike Tomlin will be back, no significant coaching changes are expected, and the franchise seems trapped in a revolving cycle of mediocrity.
Instead of flipping over every stone to significantly improve, they remain paralyzed by the fear of admitting mistakes—clinging to old habits while somehow expecting different results, which is the very definition of insanity.
We don’t need a crystal ball to predict how next season will likely play out; nearly a decade of similar outcomes already provides a trend. However, there are intriguing roster moves and future possibilities that will shape the team’s direction. Let’s examine some predictions about how this roster might evolve and what the future could hold.
George Pickens will be dealt before the 2025 NFL Draft
The writing appears to be on the wall for George Pickens, as this may very well be his final season with the Steelers. Entering a contract year, Pickens will become a free agent after next season. Given the baggage that accompanies him, it would be unwise for Pittsburgh to commit to a lucrative extension despite his undeniable, world-class talent.
Pickens' ability is sure to attract teams willing to take a chance, making a trade feel increasingly likely. However, any move would probably come after free agency, when the Steelers will hopefully address their wide receiver needs by adding proven talent and likely targeting a receiver early in the first or second round of the draft.
Justin Field's will be the teams starting QB
Justin Fields was traded to Pittsburgh for a sixth-round pick last offseason. Now, with both Fields and Russell Wilson set to hit free agency, the Steelers face a critical decision about their starting quarterback for next season. Retaining both is financially unrealistic and given Wilson’s performance down the stretch, bringing him back would be a costly mistake.
Wilson's game has become increasingly limited, relying heavily on short throws and deep passes with nothing in between — the equivalent of playing a game built on "3's and layups" — making him a poor investment at over $25 million+ per season.
That leaves Pittsburgh with two primary options: stick with Fields, who already knows the system and has built relationships within the team, or explore a move for someone like Sam Darnold. While Darnold might offer more consistency, the familiarity and potential of Fields make a compelling case for continuity.
The best-case scenario? Fields shows significant growth after a season learning from the bench, stepping into 2025 as a more polished and productive starter. The worst-case scenario? He remains the same erratic, inconsistent passer, and the Steelers find themselves in position to target a top quarterback in the 2026 draft class.
Either way, committing to Fields provides a path forward with lower financial risk and a chance to build toward a brighter future.
The Steelers miss the playoffs
The Steelers find themselves in a worse position this year than they were last season. The quarterback situation remains an unresolved question mark for the future, the offensive line has shown little to no improvement, and the wide receiver room is shrouded in uncertainty.
Defensively, the team is in desperate need of retooling, and banking on a fully healthy season from its defensive stars seems overly optimistic. To make matters worse, the coaching staff appears poised to remain largely unchanged, with Mike Tomlin still at the helm.
With all these factors combined, it’s difficult to envision how this team can make significant strides forward. Next season’s schedule is unforgiving, featuring matchups against the Packers, Bills, Vikings, Lions, and Chargers, alongside the always-competitive AFC North rivals. The five-game skid that closed out the current season might be just a preview of what’s to come if no meaningful changes are made.
Despite this troubling trajectory, the Steelers seem intent on running it back, as if oblivious to the root causes of their struggles. While the rest of the football world sees a team consistently unable to beat legitimate contenders outside its division, plagued by poor preparation and routinely outcoached, the organization either remains blind to its flaws or is too stubborn to adapt.
Unless substantive adjustments are made, the chances of this team improving from its current state are slim at best.