The Pittsburgh Steelers have a tough offseason in 2025. The quarterback, wide receiver, running back, defensive line, and cornerback positions are all incomplete, which is not ideal considering the AFC’s current status. It will take a combination of free agency, trades, and the NFL Draft to transform the franchise into a serious contender.
The offense remained erratic in 2024, and it doesn’t help that the top playmaker in the club has had his share of attitude troubles. George Pickens may have wasted his chance to sign a second contract in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers need to improve in more than just wide receiver, but even with Pickens on the roster, the room is lacking in talent. If he is traded, or if he refuses to sign a new deal, the offense may be forced to compromise. As the new league year begins in March, Pittsburgh is the subject of much speculation and uncertainty.
In a Tuesday interview with fans, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette answered concerns about the organization’s current status. Someone wondered how far the team is from genuinely contending. Fittipaldo isn’t particularly confident, and his response included a subtle swipe at Pickens.
“QB, definitely. Fittipaldo stated, “They need a legitimate No. 1 receiver without baggage and another good WR on top of that.” “They need their offensive line to gel. They require at least one and possibly two good defensive lineman. They also require a center-back to play opposite Porter. Is it that far away?”
The first thing that comes to mind is that the Steelers need to address a slew of issues before considering winning multiple postseason games in a row. Fittipaldo also believes that Pittsburgh needs a top contributor who is not Pickens, in addition to aid in the wide receiving corps. Fans have grown accustomed to his incredible athleticism, yet he appears to be losing credibility year after year.
The Steelers have built themselves quite a hole at wide receiver. Pickens is unquestionably a nuisance, but it was evident that when he was sidelined due to injury in 2024, the offense deteriorated substantially. The squad must not only replace his talent, but also build around a great newcomer. Aside from Pickens, there was a lot to be desired, with Calvin Austin III providing a few promising moments.
This entire circumstance presents the front office with difficult considerations to make about the job. It is unclear whether the team will try to trade Pickens, but it is unlikely to happen early in the offseason unless a high-profile free agent is signed. Even so, it is difficult to break ways with someone as talented as Pickens.
Unfortunately, Fittipaldo has noticed that Pickens carries too much baggage, and the writer is probably correct. Pittsburgh has not hesitated to move on from problematic receivers in the past, but there was always a clear replacement for the top spot. That cannot be stated for the Steelers in 2025, making the matter much more complex.
In today’s NFL, winning solely through defense is difficult. Having an offensive unit with playmakers everywhere is essential, but the notion that a group can flourish with only one exceptionally skilled individual is false.
Pittsburgh, with or without Pickens, will need to rebuild a team that needs more firepower. If the front management does move on from Pickens, it alleviates a headache in the locker room while increasing the pressure to put together a settled offense.
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