As training camp inches closer, and this awkward quiet period of the NFL season comes to a close, it is a perfect time to look back on what has been an unpredictable couple of months for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have gone from boring and predictable to the drunk guy in a corner at a party. He may be fun. He may even be successful. But ya kinda don't know what he's gonna do next.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) June 30, 2025
After falling short in the wild-card round of the playoffs yet again, most people (myself included) didn’t expect many inspiring moves. However, it is safe to say that is not at all what we got from the Steelers. They have certainly tried to build a team that can go out and compete in the AFC, for better or for worse. Whether or not they actually can is a completely different topic and discussion for another time, but the narrative that the Steelers tend to stay on the complacent side of roster construction has been put to rest, at least for this offseason.
Keep in mind that these grades are just my thoughts; I will probably end up being wrong about some of these moves by the time it’s all set and done. With all of this in mind, here are my grades for every Steelers offseason move, in what has been one of the more memorable offseasons in recent memory.
DK Metcalf Trade
Before the legal tampering period even began, the Steelers made one of the most aggressive moves in franchise history by acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. The move cost the Steelers a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the contract Metcalf was given is what stole the show. A whopping 5-year, $150 million dollar contract is the most money that the Steelers organization has ever given to an outside addition.
If you’re wondering how the Steelers plan to utilize DK Metcalf in their offense this year, here’s a little glimpse based on what he did vs. PIT in 2023.
Short & intermediate in breakers to a guy that big & fast in space can be absolutely deadly for an opposing defense, and Mike… pic.twitter.com/usLZLoBdpt
— Jack Sperry (@jack_sperry) July 14, 2025
This move was phenomenal for the Steelers. To only give up a second-round pick for a player of Metcalf’s caliber was a steal. Although 150 million is a jarring number to look at for some, I would argue we have not come even close to seeing Metcalf’s full potential in the league. Much of the time in Seattle, Metcalf was fighting with Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba for targets. With fewer mouths to feed in a Pittsburgh offense with some of the best contract insulation in the entire league, he will have a chance to prove himself as a truly elite wide receiver in Pittsburgh for years to come.
Grade: A
Free Agency
Free agency as a whole was about what we expected from the Steelers. The team got better in some key areas and didn’t have to break the bank to make any of the moves that they did. They were able to take some swings on veterans, which was sort of the theme of the offseason. Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan have made it very clear that they want to add more veteran presence to this team through all of the moves they have made since March.
Aaron Rodgers is without a doubt the Steelers’ crown jewel from free agency. Despite the fact that the fanbase is split on the signing and the fact that it is essentially a one-year rental, I could not be more excited to see what the four-time league MVP has left in the tank for one final ride. Rodgers still has plenty of arm talent and can make any throw on the field. I find it very hard to imagine that this won’t be some of the best and most consistent quarterback play that the Steelers have seen since Ben Roethlisberger’s injury back in 2019. Rodgers may have taken his sweet time signing with the team, but he seems to be all-in for at least one season.
Other significant signings, such as Darius Slay, Mason Rudolph, Malik Harrison, Juan Thornhill, Robert Woods, Kenneth Gainwell, and Brandin Echols – all solid players that will play valuable time one way or another for the team this season. Plus, as previously stated, none of these moves broke the bank, the most expensive of them being the Slay deal at $10 million this year. Money-wise, it was business as usual for the Steelers in free agency – not breaking the bank and improving depth all around the roster. While nothing here solves anything in the long term, I cannot quite give this as high of a grade as the Metcalf trade.
Grade: B
NFL Draft
This is easily the toughest group to predict and grade, especially in July before training camp even begins. Let me start off by saying that the Steelers didn’t have a bad draft at all, and I particularly like the Derrick Harmon pick in the first round. It is hard for me to give this group anything higher than a “C” because we just don’t know how they will play and fit with the Steelers. The Steelers also created some holes within their roster after the draft, which makes me question what the actual plan was in the later rounds of the draft.
Harmon will have plenty of opportunities to play and make a big impact in Year One, and I think the same goes for Kaleb Johnson. Johnson is such a gifted physical runner and embodies what people have come to know as your stereotypical “Steeler” player. Jaylen Warren will certainly get more work than he saw last year, but it may not be too long before Johnson takes control of the backfield. Worst comes to worst, the Steelers have a very capable backfield tandem locked down.
The day three picks will make or break this class. Not drafting a quarterback until the sixth round may not have been the best practice, especially when your only quarterback on the roster at that time was Mason Rudolph. This ended up paying off for the Steelers when Rodgers signed. However, not having a real long-term succession plan at quarterback could bite the Steelers.
Grade: C
George Pickens traded to the Cowboys
This is where I will get most of my comments from, and I welcome them all. It is abundantly clear why Pickens was traded, and this deal was made after the draft. It was reported that during the draft, the Steelers were actively shopping Pickens, and the Cowboys were interested. Not that long after, Pittsburgh deals Pickens to Dallas for a third-round pick. The Steelers, after paying DK Metcalf $150 million, have found themselves with the same problem they had last season. The wide receiver room behind Metcalf is very thin, and this caused lots of problems offensively last season. The Steelers did not plan to extend Pickens, as he is entering the final year of his rookie deal. That is fine and I understand why, but it contradicts every other move you have made to win now throughout this offseason. Pickens most certainly helps this team more than a future third-round pick does.
Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens 2024 #ReceptionPerception Profile is up on the site
Pickens hit career-best marks last season:
– 72.8% success rate vs. man coverage
– 77.6% success rate vs. press (83rd percentile)
There were some low moments, as we all know, but overall,… pic.twitter.com/Kj5yOXsz6X
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) June 30, 2025
Again, the attitude and behavior issues are very present and abundant. Having a wide receiver room of Pickens and Metcalf would have been must-see television, especially with Rodgers throwing them the ball. I did not understand the timing of the deal at all, and it totally strayed away from every move the Steelers had made up to this point.
Grade: F
Minkah Fitzpatrick trade to Dolphins for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith
This move was the complete opposite of the George Pickens deal as far as why it makes sense for the Steelers. Simple math would tell you that the Steelers got two pro bowlers from this deal while the Dolphins got one, if only it were that simple.
The fit for the Steelers is a bit weird. Jonnu Smith is reunited with Arthur Smith, and he will get touches in this offense. However, I think it is unlikely we see Smith replicate his over 800 yards and 8 touchdowns he saw last year. Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins were very creative in getting Smith touches in space and letting him work with the ball in his hands, particularly on screens. I hope we see some of that from Pittsburgh this year, but playing alongside Pat Freiermuth makes things awkward for both tight ends. It is very tough to predict exactly how Smith will be utilized, and overall, I think we should temper our expectations of him in this offense.
Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith led the NFL in receptions (17), yards (146) and first downs (7) generated on screen passes last season.
Slip screen in the red zone with Armstead and Brewer (who are both great athletes) leading the way out in front for a score on 3rd & long. pic.twitter.com/MC1ptlNusd
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) June 7, 2025
Jalen Ramsey is still a very solid player, and although he has not been an all-pro since 2022, he is still more than capable of being the Steelers’ best corner this season. Ramsey’s physicality is what he is best known for, and his missed tackle rate of nearly twenty percent last year shows that part of his game is declining. It creates an interesting hole at free safety that presumably thrusts free agent signing Juan Thornhill into the starting role. Ramsey’s tackling struggles last season make me doubt that he plays much safety for Pittsburgh, but he is still the most talented and experienced corner the Steelers have.
Minkah Fitzpatrick being traded was not on my bingo card for this offseason. Like Ramsey, Fitzpatrick has not been an all-pro since 2022, and the Steelers felt that the lack of interceptions over the last two seasons did not align with what they were paying him. Now, judging defensive backs solely based on the number of interceptions they get is usually bad practice, but the splash plays were what made Fitzpatrick so valuable to the team. I think selling low on Fitzpatrick could prove to be a bad move for the Steelers. Ramsey isn’t any cheaper than Fitzpatrick, and while Ramsey gives you a solid corner room, it creates an awkward hole on your defense. Replacing Fitzpatrick won’t be easy. I think this deal makes more sense than the Pickens trade; however, I am not a fan of the deal overall.
Overall, it was quite the exciting offseason for the Steelers. Although I am critical of some of these moves, I am very excited to watch this team take the field this season. If these last few months have shown me anything, it’s that the Steelers are willing to make a move for just about anyone.
Grade: D
Let me know what you thought of the Steelers’ offseason moves down below! I would love to know what you agree with me on and what you disagree with.
