Ranking the Biggest Offseason Decisions Facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are always alive.
The team surpassed most expectations with another winning season in 2024, but it also lost five consecutive games from December 15 onward and went one-and-done in the playoffs yet again.
That leaves the Steelers with some huge decisions in what could be a wild offseason. Here are a handful that stand out.
5. Preston Smith and Larry Ogunjobi as Cap Casualties?
The decision(s): The two veteran defenders can save the Steelers a combined $20.4 million if the team decides to part ways this offseason.
What they should do: With Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt already on the roster, it's too difficult to justify paying $13.4 million to keep Smith around—especially considering how little he factored in as a deadline acquisition in 2024. Ogunjobi is a tougher call because there's less young talent up front, but the 30-year-old isn't the player he used to be and that $7 million in cap savings can be put to better use.
What they will do: Cut 'em both.
4. Where to Make a Big Free-Agent Splash (If at All)?
The decision: Even without factoring in the decisions above, the Steelers are projected to have more than $43 million in cap space. If they want to use some of that on an impact player, wide receiver and cornerback come immediately to mind. They simply need more in addition to George Pickens and Joey Porter Jr. in those spots.
What they should do: Sign underrated deep threat Darius Slayton, who should come cheaper than Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin or Amari Cooper.
What they will do: They've reportedly chased both Brandon Aiyuk and Christian Kirk in the last year. I think they'll play it closer to the vest at corner (where they might be more focused on re-signing Donte Jackson) while landing a veteran receiver like Slayton or Keenan Allen.
3. Re-Sign Najee Harris?
The decision: The running back has been relatively consistent but far from spectacular for much of his good-not-great tenure in Pittsburgh, and now he's slated to hit free agency in March.
What they should do: Move on, because there's little indication he'll suddenly become a superstar, and running backs aren't worth lucrative second contracts if that's not the case.
What they will do: Exactly that, and probably draft a pro-ready back on Day 2.
2. What to Do About James Daniels?
The decision: The 27-year-old guard is also set to hit free agency, and the Steelers have to decide whether to pay up for a guy coming off a torn Achilles or to go elsewhere. Max Scharping is also an impending free agent and there aren't any other solid options in-house.
What they should do: Bring Daniels back. You'll likely get a bit of a discount anyway because of his injury, and the fact is he was arguably your best offensive lineman before going down in 2024. Still, they'll want to bring back Scharping and/or use a middle-round pick on an interior offensive lineman.
What they will do: I wouldn't be surprised at all if they let him walk and put it all on 2024 fourth-rounder Mason McCormick, as risky as that is.
1. Russell Wilson? Justin Fields? Both? Neither?
The decision: Both potential 2025 starters are free agents after both (and Wilson in particular) surpassed most expectations in 2024. But do the Steelers retain one or the other, both, or neither? It's also possible they go YOLO and sign Sam Darnold.
What they should do: Keep both if possible, but especially Wilson. He's far from done after posting a league-best 119.4 passer rating on deep attempts in '24. Fields can't be trusted as a pure passer and Darnold blew it with his late-season collapse in Minnesota. Wilson gives you your best chance to succeed.
What they will do: Sign Wilson, let Fields go and ignore Darnold.