My favorite moves of the Steelers 2025 offseason
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason transactions are slowly coming to a close as new team additions were made at the beginning of the year. Including free agency, the NFL Draft, and trades, General Manager Omar Khan has navigated the waters to bring a tight roster together in preparation for the 2025 season.
As the offseason workouts arrive within the coming weeks, we wanted to look back on the moves the GM has made since the Steelers’ disappointing defeat in the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens. We’re highlighting the top 10 picks plus analysis from the first few months of the offseason and how it will impact Pittsburgh’s future.
The D.K. Metcalf trade
The D.K. Metcalf trade sent shockwaves throughout Steelers Nation as a high-profile move the team has been looking to make since around this same time last season. Khan sent a second-round pick plus swapped a later round pick to acquire the star wide receiver.
The move was a blockbuster one as it was believed other teams were in the market for the 28-year-old Metcalf, including the Los Angeles Chargers. In the end, it was the Steelers who landed the two-time Pro Bowler.
Metcalf immediately upgrades a receiver room that featured George Pickens and barely anyone else last season. Metcalf will draw attention away from the budding star while Pickens could do the same for the veteran. Both options give whoever is throwing the ball in Pittsburgh a plethora of options on offense, potentially bolstering their offensive attack this season.
Not trading George Pickens
In the same vein of acquiring Metcalf, keeping George Pickens was a brilliant move. Rumors were swirling that the Steelers could package Pickens, who is in the final year of his original rookie contract, to recoup the second round pick lost in the Metcalf trade.
Instead they retain a player with “WR1” abilities, at least for 2025: if not beyond. With no large quarterback contract on their ledger, it’s entirely possible that the Steelers could retain both Metcalf and Pickens for the foreseeable future to help guide them through finding their franchise quarterback.
Walking away from Najee Harris, drafting Kaleb Johnson
Najee Harris was an enigma during his time with the Steelers. Seldom did Harris miss games or turn the ball over, but at the same time his lack of explosive plays was evident too. With Harris’ contract expiring, many were wondering if the former captain would be re-signed by the Steelers. That answer would be no, as the front office dipped into the draft to search for his younger replacement.
Enter Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, who torched opposing teams in the Big Ten last season for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns. Johnson is believed to be a more explosive player in the same build as Harris, in that the former copies the traits of the latter with ball security and a knack for breaking tackles.
The knock on Johnson is pass protection, but with Jaylen Warren still on the depth chart the Steelers have one of the nastiest backfield blockers in the league as the two will split time on the field.
Drafting Will Howard
It’s hard to believe a quarterback fresh off of winning the NCAA National Championship fell into the sixth round.
It was obvious to everyone that the Steelers would seek a quarterback in the draft and Howard became their answer. The Ohio State product threw for over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2024 after transferring from Kansas State.
The knock on Howard is his arm strength and critics will say he played on a loaded team: but having won the first expanded College Football Playoff also means that Howard played against many high picks in this year’s draft who will be on opposing sidelines come this fall.
With some time and development, Howard could end up being the steal of the draft.
Walking away from Justin Fields Russell Wilson
Many people won’t agree with my assessment, but walking away from Justin Fields was a wise decision for the Steelers. Despite not having a defined answer at the quarterback position, Fields was far from a defined product as well.
His 4-2 start in 2024 mirrored that of Kenny Pickett’s 2023 start, and when Russell Wilson took the starting role after Fields finished 1-2 in his last three starts, and failing to throw for 200 yards in either loss, it was apparent his days as a Steelers starter were over.
Wilson would take the offense to new heights over the next seven games, gaining over one hundred yards of offense and scoring ten more points per game. Though Wilson was a better option, his limited play and multiple mistakes saw the Steelers fall in their final five games, and he too was not invited back.
The team needs to improve in this department and the only way to do so is by trying out other option. Doing the same thing again would be the definition of insanity, so kudos to Khan for realizing this and not being trapped into a long-term turmoil with Fields or Wilson.
Reworking Cole Holcomb’s contract
A prized free agent signing in 2023, Holcomb’s season that year ended abruptly and he would miss all of 2024. Rehabbed and ready to return, he reworked his contract with the Steelers and is poised for a comeback.
On a team that’s always looking for health inside linebackers who can make plays, the decision to work this out with Holcomb could end up paying large dividends for the Steelers defense.
