Photo: USA Today
The Pittsburgh Steelers began the 2025 season with a new balance between youth and experience. The offensive philosophy was updated this offseason while the aggressive defense also saw changes.
After several years on the playoff bubble, the Pittsburgh Steelers were clearly focused on advancing deeper in the postseason. Injuries and other setbacks have seen the team once again face adversity and shuffle the deck, following the league’s trade deadline. Here’s how the team is shuffling their deck and playing with the cards they’ve been dealt.
Aaron Rodgers turns 42 next month and fans were wondering if age is catching up to the veteran quarterback after last Sunday’s loss in Los Angeles.
Rodgers had his worst game as a Pittsburgh Steeler, completing 51.6% of his passes, throwing two interceptions and failing to find a rhythm or avoid pressure. One of his three sacks resulted in a safety against the Chargers, adding a turnover and two points to the opponent.
Rodgers continues to show flashes of brilliance, even as age and injuries test his consistency. His ability to read defenses and command the huddle still sets him apart, and his presence has helped elevate the confidence of emerging talents across the roster. While his long-term status is unclear—Rodgers has hinted this could be his final season—the Steelers remain competitive with him under center.
If you’re backing Rodgers and believe in Pittsburgh’s playoff potential, this season might be your best shot to ride with them. Just keep an eye on how the team manages its quarterback depth: rookie Will Howard returned to practice, entering his 21-day window from injured reserve, which he was activated from – to the 53-man roster – this morning.
While Howard’s unlikely to jump into a starting role right away, the Steelers have been playing without an emergency quarterback, which would, at least, set Howard in line to potentially play.
The Steelers made headlines for signing a receiver, after efforts to trade for a complement to D.K. Metcalf fell short before the trade deadline. While smaller speedsters, such as Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson, have received their fair amount of playing time, it could be a face familiar to Aaron Rodgers who makes a more immediate impact.
Enter Marquez Valdes-Scantling, often called MVS, who was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Known for his deep-threat speed and past success with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, MVS brings something that most of the Steelers receivers lack: size. His 6’4″ frame was often the target of Rodgers, and later Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.
His breakout season came in 2020, when he posted 690 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns, and a league-leading 20.9 yards per catch while starting 12 games.After four seasons with the Packers, MVS signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he won two Super Bowl rings. He’s since bounced between several teams—including the Bills, Saints, Seahawks, and 49ers—before landing with the Steelers in the last week.
Over his NFL career, Valdes-Scantling has recorded 209 receptions for 3,606 yards and 20 touchdowns, with a career average of 17.3 yards per catch.
His recent move to Pittsburgh is thought to have been heavily influenced by Aaron Rodgers, now with the Steelers, who called MVS “one of my favorite teammates of all-time”. Though currently on the practice squad, head coach Mike Tomlin has hinted at elevating him to the active roster to help bolster the receiving corps.
Another area the Steelers have been hurting in is covering receivers: that is, their defensive backs. What was once thought of as a deep depth chart has been riddled with injuries and poor play.
Jalen Ramsey, the prize of a major trade this offseason, has had to move from cornerback to free safety in place of the injured DeShon Elliott. Other additions have been unavailable over the last few weeks for various reasons, including Jabrill Peppers and Chuck Clark, prompting the Steelers to trade for New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger. Dugger has paired with Ramsey as the starting safeties over the last two games, but the cornerback depth has now suffered due to the same poor performances and injury bugs.
Darius Slay, a veteran who will likely be in the Hall of Fame conversation when he’s eligible years from now, looks as if age has caught up with him. Brandin Echols, who was penciled in as a nickel corner, has had his hands full trying to return to his original role (prior to Ramsey’s arrival) and often cedes playing time for journeyman James Pierre to play on the outside.
With Joey Porter Jr. the only other healthy cornerback, the front office sought out veteran Asante Samuel Jr. as a street free agent signing. A former second round pick of the Chargers, Samuel’s first three seasons in the NFL were above board, appearing in 50 games with 176 tackles, 37 passes defensed and six interceptions. His Pro Football Focus grade of 80.8 since 2002 places him 12th among all corners.
However, Samuel’s bright career was derailed in 2024 by a serious neck injury sustained during a practice collision. After undergoing spinal fusion surgery in April 2025, Samuel was medically cleared recently to return to football.
Samuel joins a Steelers secondary in need of depth, especially with Slay struggling and Ramsey shifting to safety. His signing to the practice squad is seen as a low-risk, high-reward move—if he can return to form, he could provide a major boost to Pittsburgh’s pass defense.
