Steelers fans have it pretty good. Illustrious history. A couple Super Bowls with Big Ben Roethlisberger. And Mike Tomlin has led them to a winning record in 18 straight seasons. There are fan bases that have had it worse, for sure.

But there is a bit of a “Ricky Bobby mentality” in the NFL. If you aren’t first, you’re last. And the Steelers have not won the big game in 15 years now. A winning season in terms of record is fine but fans want that championship.

The Steelers have a big decision to make at the most important position. Do they keep Russell Wilson or Justin Fields? Do they make a trade for someone like Matthew Stafford? Do they sign a free agent like Sam Darnold? Or maybe draft someone like Jaxson Dart?

The NFL rumors are swirling so we’ll take a look at those as well as the depth chart, contracts, cap space, and free agents to predict what that offense might look like. Then we’ll make our predictions from free agency - who knows, maybe it could help you with your fantasy football leagues or mock drafts if you dabble in those!

*The salary cap numbers referenced in this article come courtesy of our friends over at Spotrac.com*

 

 

 

Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart 2025 (Fantasy Football Relevant)

QB

Russell Wilson

Justin Fields

Kyle Allen

RB

Najee Harris

Jaylen Warren

Cordarrelle Patterson

WR

George Pickens

Mike Williams

 

WR

Van Jefferson

Roman Wilson

 

WR

Calvin Austin

Ben Skowronek

 

TE

Pat Freiermuth

Connor Heyward

 

TE

Darnell Washington

Donald Parham

MyCole Pruitt

  • White = unrestricted free agent
  • Green = role is safe
  • Yellow = role in flux
  • Orange = likely a depth piece
  • Red = roster spot not guaranteed

Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agency 2025

  • CURRENT PROJECTED TOP 51 2025 SALARIES: ~$226M
  • CURRENT ESTIMATED 2025 TEAM CAP SPACE: ~$60M

 

 

 

Steelers Quarterback Depth Chart

Russell Wilson: Reports are all over the place on this situation. And it’s hard to believe any of them. The most recent one is that the Steelers are waiting to hear what the plans are for Justin Fields before they check in with Russell Wilson. Regardless, I think Wilson finds a place to start in 2025.

For your dynasty leagues, Russell Wilson is a consideration for superflex or two QB leagues but doesn’t offer much upside outside of that. Josh Allen just joined Cam Newton and Michael Vick as the only other QB aged 28+ to run 100+ times. The days of Russell Wilson doing that are over and he’s never truly been a high volume passer. 

Justin Fields: Justin Fields does offer that upside for you fantasy gamers. While there is some debate about who is the better NFL quarterback for 2025, there’s really no debate about who has more upside between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson in both real life and fantasy. Wilson is a decade older than Fields. 

Athleticism has never been a question for Fields. He’s obviously an excellent runner but the physical tools as a passer are also there. The questions have been about the processing side of the game - from the pre snap nuances to the read progressions. Teams will be interested in taking their crack at developing those tools.

Kyle Allen: The Steelers signed Kyle Allen to be the third quarterback behind Fields and Wilson. He’s an unrestricted free agent and perhaps they want him back in that capacity. But he doesn’t factor into the starting conversation here whatsoever. 

STEELERS QB FREE AGENCY TAKE: There’s not too much benefit in speculating on Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields from the outside. The team had both players in the building all of last year and, for all we know, that decision has been made. They could just be posturing as part of their negotiations.

What’s interesting for us is speculating what happens if they DON’T go with those guys. If they walk, the Steelers will be in line to collect some compensatory picks (as well as from Najee Harris and others). That could change the equation.

Obviously getting the best possible guy in the room is the most important. But signing a free agent like Sam Darnold or Mac Jones will cancel out one of those picks. If they trade for someone or sign someone who has been released (as we expect Aaron Rodgers to be) that has no effect on that formula. A minor consideration at this position, but one to consider. 

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Matthew Stafford (via trade), Aaron Rodgers (once released), Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Daniel Jones

 

 

 

Steelers Running Back Depth Chart

Najee Harris: Once the Steelers did not pick up the fifth-year option for Najee Harris, the wheels were in motion for him to hit free agency. Harris’s agents continue to meet with the Steelers, but they’ve also publicly suggested that the Steelers aren’t likely to pay what they are asking. Couple that with the Steelers past comments about “scheme fit” with Arthur Smith, and Harris could be on the road.

Much like Nick Chubb, the ideal situation for his fantasy football value would be a team like the Cowboys or Vikings where he could be the bellcow back. But, in terms of their longevity, a split backfield like Ben Johnson’s system now in Chicago makes a lot of sense. Najee could be their version of David Montgomery. Like most cases, money will likely be the deciding factor. 

Jaylen Warren: The NFL always has a backup running back somewhere that folks want to be the starter. Whether it be Austin Ekeler in Los Angeles or Tony Pollard in Dallas, the small sample size guys will always have their fans. And, like those guys, I think Jaylen Warren deserves it.

We know he’s great on pass downs both catching the ball and as a fierce pass-blocker. The question is whether he can be an every down back. But in the modern NFL he doesn’t necessarily have to be. 

If they bring in a bruiser back to mix in like Arthur Smith had in Tyler Allgeier in Atlanta, Warren can pick up more work while still sharing a piece of the load. It might be hard to buy him right now in dynasty from the guy who has been holding for this moment but it’s worth a shot.

It’s worth noting that he’s a restricted free agent so technically they need to tender him. He was undrafted so the question is whether they give him the “original round tender of $3.19M or the second-round tender of $5.2M.

If someone offers him a contract, they have the right to match but the outcomes are different if they don’t. With the second round tender, they get a second if he leaves. With the other option, they get nothing. Gamesmanship comes into play.

Cordarrelle Patterson:  Cordarrelle Patterson is one of the greatest return men of all time. Seriously, he’s top three all time in yards per kick return with Gale Sayers and Lynn Chandnois (who would have been 100 years old this April). He’s under contract for 2025 and he’s an Arthur Smith favorite so he’s likely back this year.

STEELERS RB FREE AGENCY TAKE: The Steelers will need depth at the very least. But they could use a bruiser to pair with Jaylen Warren and replace Najee Harris. The great unknown of the draft is always appealing but there are options out there.

For a team expected to compete now, Nick Chubb from the rival Browns is an intriguing name. Browns fans wouldn’t like it, but he’s expressed a desire to compete. Keep in mind - signing him would cancel out any compensatory pick from Najee Harris leaving potentially.  Here are some of the other free agent options. 

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Najee Harris, Nick Chubb, J.K. Dobbins, Javonte Williams, Cam Akers, AJ Dillon, D'Onta Foreman

 

 

 

Steelers Wide Receiver Depth Chart

George Pickens: The Steelers know how to pick WRs though sometimes there is a diva element to them. Antonio Brown, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool. Pickens has been outspoken off the field and visually displeased on the field but there is no doubt he’s a talented player.

Year three is when the modern day WRs want to be paid. Or traded. Pickens hasn’t been particularly outspoken about his contract so maybe they let him play it out. I personally believe in the talented contested catch artist, so he’s a guy I’m buying in dynasty - he’s 23 years old and he’s made it work with sub-par QB play so far.

Mike Williams: They took a stab on Williams but he was never quite able to get the snaps, whether it be health or performance. He only cracked 40% of the snaps one time. He’s an unrestricted free agent and will need to prove he’s capable of contributing to get picked up somewhere.

Van Jefferson: Van Jefferson is a coach’s dream. Which makes sense because he’s a coach’s son (his father has been the Arizona Cardinals coach for years). Arthur Smith brought him from Atlanta to Pittsburgh because he can play any WR role in an offense. But he doesn’t excel at any one particular thing.

To me that makes him a great depth WR. A nice third guy or “next man up”. But you don’t necessarily want him playing the second most snap of your WRs, like he did this year behind George Pickens. He’s an unrestricted free agent but I don’t expect him to play a major role if he’s back. 

 

 

 

Calvin Austin: The truth about Arthur Smith’s offense is that it uses too many sets with multiple TEs or RBs to have a ton of featured WRs. Van Jefferson played the second most snaps for this offense with ~64% which is an upgrade from 2023 when Khadarell Hodge was second behind Drake London at 33%.

For me, Calvin Austin is a player I’m selling in dynasty if someone is buying. I worry he’ll mostly be a slot/gadget/return man rather than a full-time player in his career. And dynasty is a fairly top-heavy game when you are competing so I’m looking for more upside.

Roman Wilson: Roman Wilson was injured during the very first padded practice for the Steelers. And he missed the entire offseason and a good chunk of the regular season. That won’t give you much of a chance to learn the playbook and get involved as an NFL rookie.

I’m personally willing to throw a third-round rookie pick at Wilson because the hit rate on those is worse than people thinking 10% or so. And Alec Korff’s trade charts, which capture industry sentiment, suggest he can be had for a late third.

Ben Skowronek: Skowronek was signed by the Texans but dismissed fairly early where he landed with Pittsburgh. He plays on multiple special teams units which could have him back though he’s an unrestricted free agent. There’s no fantasy upside here.

STEELERS WR FREE AGENCY TAKE: Everyone wants the Steelers to splash on another WR. But do they want that? With Arthur Smith, I’m not sure. Not to mention, they are in a position to collect compensatory picks.

For instance, let’s say they let Najee Harris, Dan Moore, James Daniel, and then Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields in free agency. They can collect some decent comp picks for that. If you sign someone like Keenan Allen, you cancel one of those out. Signing players who have been released, however, would NOT count against the formula. Same with trading for players. 

So, if Davante Adams is released, you don’t lose the pick. Or trading for Cooper Kupp doesn’t change the formula. It’s a unique position where signing a free agent can cost you as much or more as an outright trade. Something to keep in mind - and it’s why I’m not predicting a major WR splash in free agency for Pittsburgh.

Here are the top dogs via trade or release if you choose to dream big.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Davante Adams, Deebo Samuel, Cooper Kupp, Christian Kirk

 

 

 

Steelers Tight End Depth Chart

Pat Freiermuth: Have you ever heard anyone say that Pat Freiermuth isn’t a good football player? Me neither. But his situation has never been ideal. Whether it’s poor QB play or a strange scheme, it’s never quite panned out. And he remains in limbo as of now.

He’s been extended through 2028. Yet Arthur Smith likes to rotate his tight ends rather than feature them. If we get the right QB and they don’t add any WR talent, he could be a top two target on the team. So, I’m holding. If they add a high end WR, I’d try to sell as quickly and quietly as possible. 

Darnell Washington: Darnell Washington likes to consider himself the sixth offensive lineman. And, even as a rookie, he graded out as a top 10 blocking tight end. He’s really only a touchdown dart throw in fantasy football but he’s a good NFL player.

Connor Heyward: Connor Heyward is more than just a tight end. He plays tight end, he plays fullback, he plays slot, he’s on four special teams units. And he’s still under contract on a rookie deal in 2025.

Donald Parham: My comp for Darnell Washington coming out was Donald Parham. And now they have them both. Arthur Smith has bulked up to further his evil TE ways. And the great thing for the Steelers is that Parham was released so he could never factor into the compensatory pick formula.

MyCole Pruit: The 10-year veteran is probably out with the Donald Parham signing. The Steelers have plenty of blockers now and he’s an unrestricted free agent. Someone should give him a look though.

STEELERS TE FREE AGENCY TAKE: The Steelers have plenty of tight ends. They don’t need any more tight ends. But this is Arthur Smith we are talking about. So, can’t rule anything out.

  • POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: N/A