NFL Writer Says Steelers Among Teams ‘Under Most Pressure’ In 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t had a losing season in over two decades and have made the playoffs in 12 of Mike Tomlin’s 18 seasons as head coach.

The Steelers have also won just one Super Bowl during Tomlin’s tenure, haven’t been to the big game since 2011 and haven’t won a postseason contest since 2017. That, combined with a massive offseason full of bold trades and signings, has placed a target on Pittsburgh.

NFL.com’s Tom Blair wrote on Thursday that he believes the Steelers are under the most pressure to succeed during the 2025 NFL season.

“Even though they are always somehow elbowing their way into contention, the Steelers just have the feel of a .500 team, perpetually competitive without being compelling, patching together just enough success to keep a hard re-set at bay — only to flame out at the first chance in the playoffs, where they are 0-5 since 2017,” Blair said.

He argued that the six-time Super Bowl champions may be “as close to boom-or-bust territory as they’ve been under Mike Tomlin, at least in recent memory, with a flurry of moves ultimately hinging on the geriatric quarterbacking ability of one man: Aaron Rodgers.”

Blair opined that if the four-time MVP quarterback performs as a “better-than-replacement-level QB,” then the Steelers could be a “legitimate Super Bowl threat.”

With the additions of two-time Pro Bowl wideout D.K. Metcalf and 2024 Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith, Rodgers has at least two solid pass-catching weapons. Pittsburgh’s defense should, again, be a strong unit, with seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey joining the likes of pass rusher T.J. Watt, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and linebacker Alex Highsmith.

Blair does see a situation where Pittsburgh struggles to keep their streak of .500 or above seasons going, however.

“On the other hand, if Rodgers flops in his age-42 season (another distinct possibility), it’s hard to see Pittsburgh pulling off another inexplicable winning effort, with Mason Rudolph and rookie Will Howard likely to be the only other QBs standing between the Steelers and ruination,” he wrote. “The reward could be worth it, if it means the Steelers get to experience playoff joy once again. The cost could be suffering through the first honest-to-goodness non-competitive season since Tomlin took over in 2007.”

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