The Steelers made a number of moves throughout the offseason to improve the roster for the 2025 season. They signed Aaron Rodgers, traded for DK Metcalf and emphasized the defensive front and running back in the NFL Draft.
However, for this team to truly take steps toward becoming a legitimate contender again, they need improvement from some already on the roster.
These players are often referred to as X-factors, ones that can change the course of a game or season, for better or worse. While the Steelers have several players that can fall into this category, five really stand out above the rest.
Yes, you could probably throw Rodgers to the very top of this list. If he's anything close to the guy he was the majority of the time under Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, that drastically changes the outlook for this team. We're talking an actual likelihood to compete for a deep playoff run. However, this is focusing more on the supporting cast, specifically on players that were in Pittsburgh prior to this offseason.
BRODERICK JONES
Perhaps no player needs to play well in 2025 more than Broderick Jones. After showing some promise as a rookie, Jones regressed in his second season. The run blocking was more inconsistent, he showed little growth in pass protection and there were far too many plays in which Jones seemed to not know exactly what he was supposed to do.
The Steelers traded up three spots in the first round to take Jones in the 2023 NFL Draft. Next offseason, Omar Khan and the decision makers in the front office have to decide whether or not to pick up Jones' fifth-year option. That figure for offensive linemen this past offseason was $16.685 million. Based off his first two seasons, it's a no brainer to decline a number that'll be even more expensive than that.
However, if Jones takes a huge step forward, maybe he can change a lot of minds on the South Side. Ideally, that's what the Steelers want. That's why it's been made known to Jones that this is a make-or-break year for him. And now that he's switching back to his natural side at left tackle, there are no more excuses for him. He has to perform.
If he succeeds, it not only helps keep Rodgers upright more often, but can help aid in running the football. And, no offensive line can be successful if one guy is dragging the rest of them down. He's the biggest concern up front until he proves otherwise.
CALVIN AUSTIN III
Calvin Austin III has improved in each season since he missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury. He's improved as a route runner, and made some big catches down the stretch last season, especially when George Pickens went down with a hamstring injury in December.
Austin's on this list because he can prove a lot of people wrong by becoming a consistent option in the offense. While he's not ideally any team's No. 2 receiver right now, maybe another season with improvement changes enough minds to think otherwise. And, there might not be a better season to do it than this year.
Rodgers needs multiple receiving options that are precise route runners. While Austin isn't quite there just yet, he's made a lot of strides. Last year was a big leap for him in how he executes his routes, including his timing, getting in and out of his breaks and how much separation he creates for himself. If all of that takes another step forward, Rodgers could lean on him quite a bit in the quick game, which could lead to a lot of targets.
While there's still a chance the Steelers add to the receiver room before the season begins, and they will try to make a significant addition, Austin could make that move a spoil of riches if he becomes a consistent threat in this offense. And, this team needs consistent threats at receiver that aren't named DK Metcalf.
ROMAN WILSON
Yep, add Roman Wilson to the list, too. Part of this is because of what was previously mentioned. Whether or not there's a trade for a receiver, this team needs more threats at the position. So, Wilson gets thrust into this conversation out of need.
However, he's also part of this because the team invested a third-round pick in him in the 2024 NFL Draft. They've thought highly of him for a long time and envision him becoming a significant part of the offense. He didn't get a chance to do that as a rookie due to multiple injuries that kept him sidelined for nearly the entire season.
Wilson was primarily a slot receiver at Michigan, but has the tools to play more than just one role. He's a great athlete with speed, quickness and good enough size for the position. But, he has a lot to prove, much like Austin did in his second season.
If just one of Austin or Wilson developed into a reliable, perhaps even dangerous threat, it's a game-changer for this offense.
BEANIE BISHOP
Switching to the defensive side, there aren't a ton of holes. But, slot cornerback is the weakest position on this side of the ball, and Beanie Bishop is the current starter. Naturally, his performance will be critical for 2025 and beyond, unless the Steelers actually pull off a trade for Jalen Ramsey.
Bishop flashed moments of promise as a rookie, highlighted by four interceptions. His emergence after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia was a much needed development out of training camp and the preseason since the Steelers were going to be without Cam Sutton for the first eight games of the season due to his suspension.
However, Bishop's play was inconsistent. He made some big-time plays, but also blew some coverages that led to big plays for the opposition, as well. Mike Tomlin eventually went with Sutton much more often in the second half of the season, though the veteran played arguably worse than Bishop. Either way, Bishop hadn't quite earned Tomlin's trust.
If he were to do that this season, it wouldn't be the first time the Steelers found a legitimate slot cornerback from the undrafted ranks, Mike Hilton being the first. Bishop's play could help solidify a secondary that's looking quite strong on paper, with Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay on the outside, then the trio of Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill at safety.
KEEANU BENTON
The Steelers made defensive tackle a huge priority in the draft. They made that loud and clear throughout the entire draft process, from Tomlin and Teryl Austin salivating over the group at the Senior Bowl to selecting Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black in the draft a few months later.
But, that begs the question of what happens with Keeanu Benton? It wasn't that long ago that the Steelers selected him with the latter of two second-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Much like some of the other players on this list, Benton's flashed potential at times, but has yet to truly take off into becoming something special. And with the Steelers bringing in Harmon, there's legitimate competition to take snaps away from Benton, especially since Karl Dunbar's already proclaimed Harmon as the starting left defensive end.
Benton is the team's starting nose tackle, but if Harmon's the starting defensive end opposite of Cam Heyward, does that mean it'll be Heyward and Harmon as the two defensive tackles when the Steelers are in their nickel and dime packages? We'll find out the answer to that question during training camp.
However, adding Harmon to the mix could help light a fire under Benton. Adding legitimate competition often brings the best out of everyone, and the Steelers could sure use a strong rotation up front. Heyward can't play every single snap. In fact, it's ideal if he plays no more than about 70% of the snaps. So, that requires players such as Benton to play at a much higher level. If he does, the Steelers can afford to keep Heyward the most fresh for the most crucial downs. His play this season could have a huge impact on not just the defensive front, but the defense as a whole.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
5:22 pm - 06.22.2025South SideFive Steelers X-factors for 2025 season
The Steelers made a number of moves throughout the offseason to improve the roster for the 2025 season. They signed Aaron Rodgers, traded for DK Metcalf and emphasized the defensive front and running back in the NFL Draft.
However, for this team to truly take steps toward becoming a legitimate contender again, they need improvement from some already on the roster.
These players are often referred to as X-factors, ones that can change the course of a game or season, for better or worse. While the Steelers have several players that can fall into this category, five really stand out above the rest.
Yes, you could probably throw Rodgers to the very top of this list. If he's anything close to the guy he was the majority of the time under Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, that drastically changes the outlook for this team. We're talking an actual likelihood to compete for a deep playoff run. However, this is focusing more on the supporting cast, specifically on players that were in Pittsburgh prior to this offseason.
BRODERICK JONES
Perhaps no player needs to play well in 2025 more than Broderick Jones. After showing some promise as a rookie, Jones regressed in his second season. The run blocking was more inconsistent, he showed little growth in pass protection and there were far too many plays in which Jones seemed to not know exactly what he was supposed to do.
The Steelers traded up three spots in the first round to take Jones in the 2023 NFL Draft. Next offseason, Omar Khan and the decision makers in the front office have to decide whether or not to pick up Jones' fifth-year option. That figure for offensive linemen this past offseason was $16.685 million. Based off his first two seasons, it's a no brainer to decline a number that'll be even more expensive than that.
However, if Jones takes a huge step forward, maybe he can change a lot of minds on the South Side. Ideally, that's what the Steelers want. That's why it's been made known to Jones that this is a make-or-break year for him. And now that he's switching back to his natural side at left tackle, there are no more excuses for him. He has to perform.
If he succeeds, it not only helps keep Rodgers upright more often, but can help aid in running the football. And, no offensive line can be successful if one guy is dragging the rest of them down. He's the biggest concern up front until he proves otherwise.
CALVIN AUSTIN III
Calvin Austin III has improved in each season since he missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury. He's improved as a route runner, and made some big catches down the stretch last season, especially when George Pickens went down with a hamstring injury in December.
Austin's on this list because he can prove a lot of people wrong by becoming a consistent option in the offense. While he's not ideally any team's No. 2 receiver right now, maybe another season with improvement changes enough minds to think otherwise. And, there might not be a better season to do it than this year.
Rodgers needs multiple receiving options that are precise route runners. While Austin isn't quite there just yet, he's made a lot of strides. Last year was a big leap for him in how he executes his routes, including his timing, getting in and out of his breaks and how much separation he creates for himself. If all of that takes another step forward, Rodgers could lean on him quite a bit in the quick game, which could lead to a lot of targets.
While there's still a chance the Steelers add to the receiver room before the season begins, and they will try to make a significant addition, Austin could make that move a spoil of riches if he becomes a consistent threat in this offense. And, this team needs consistent threats at receiver that aren't named DK Metcalf.
ROMAN WILSON
Yep, add Roman Wilson to the list, too. Part of this is because of what was previously mentioned. Whether or not there's a trade for a receiver, this team needs more threats at the position. So, Wilson gets thrust into this conversation out of need.
However, he's also part of this because the team invested a third-round pick in him in the 2024 NFL Draft. They've thought highly of him for a long time and envision him becoming a significant part of the offense. He didn't get a chance to do that as a rookie due to multiple injuries that kept him sidelined for nearly the entire season.
Wilson was primarily a slot receiver at Michigan, but has the tools to play more than just one role. He's a great athlete with speed, quickness and good enough size for the position. But, he has a lot to prove, much like Austin did in his second season.
If just one of Austin or Wilson developed into a reliable, perhaps even dangerous threat, it's a game-changer for this offense.
BEANIE BISHOP
Switching to the defensive side, there aren't a ton of holes. But, slot cornerback is the weakest position on this side of the ball, and Beanie Bishop is the current starter. Naturally, his performance will be critical for 2025 and beyond, unless the Steelers actually pull off a trade for Jalen Ramsey.
Bishop flashed moments of promise as a rookie, highlighted by four interceptions. His emergence after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia was a much needed development out of training camp and the preseason since the Steelers were going to be without Cam Sutton for the first eight games of the season due to his suspension.
However, Bishop's play was inconsistent. He made some big-time plays, but also blew some coverages that led to big plays for the opposition, as well. Mike Tomlin eventually went with Sutton much more often in the second half of the season, though the veteran played arguably worse than Bishop. Either way, Bishop hadn't quite earned Tomlin's trust.
If he were to do that this season, it wouldn't be the first time the Steelers found a legitimate slot cornerback from the undrafted ranks, Mike Hilton being the first. Bishop's play could help solidify a secondary that's looking quite strong on paper, with Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay on the outside, then the trio of Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill at safety.
KEEANU BENTON
The Steelers made defensive tackle a huge priority in the draft. They made that loud and clear throughout the entire draft process, from Tomlin and Teryl Austin salivating over the group at the Senior Bowl to selecting Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black in the draft a few months later.
But, that begs the question of what happens with Keeanu Benton? It wasn't that long ago that the Steelers selected him with the latter of two second-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Much like some of the other players on this list, Benton's flashed potential at times, but has yet to truly take off into becoming something special. And with the Steelers bringing in Harmon, there's legitimate competition to take snaps away from Benton, especially since Karl Dunbar's already proclaimed Harmon as the starting left defensive end.
Benton is the team's starting nose tackle, but if Harmon's the starting defensive end opposite of Cam Heyward, does that mean it'll be Heyward and Harmon as the two defensive tackles when the Steelers are in their nickel and dime packages? We'll find out the answer to that question during training camp.
However, adding Harmon to the mix could help light a fire under Benton. Adding legitimate competition often brings the best out of everyone, and the Steelers could sure use a strong rotation up front. Heyward can't play every single snap. In fact, it's ideal if he plays no more than about 70% of the snaps. So, that requires players such as Benton to play at a much higher level. If he does, the Steelers can afford to keep Heyward the most fresh for the most crucial downs. His play this season could have a huge impact on not just the defensive front, but the defense as a whole.
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