After an offseason of wondering if the Steelers might be “soft tanking” in 2025, the Aaron Rodgers signing made it clear that the answer is “no.” Pittsburgh is still attempting to contend for a Super Bowl this season.

Most would agree that a 41-year-old Rodgers doesn’t suddenly make the Steelers a Super Bowl favorite. Still, if the team is going to defy expectations and make a deep playoff run, what does that look like? What has to go right?

This is the time of year for unbridled optimism, but I’m skeptical that this 2025 Steelers’ roster deserves that level of hype. I see a narrow path for championship success.

The following is a list of what I think needs to go right for the Steelers to reach true contender status in 2025. And to me, it plays more like that scene from Infinity War when Dr. Strange reveals there’s only one possible timeline where the Avengers win, than it does a championship blueprint.

Consider all of the following that must happen:

No major injuries to key contributors

Well, duh.

Aaron Rodgers turns back the clock

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

This is a big ask, but not entirely impossible. Rodgers still isn’t a bad quarterback, even if his once-signature accuracy has deteriorated with age. Obviously, his overall athleticism has as well.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest arm talents in NFL history, Rodgers is still an impressive thrower, and it’s not unreasonable — actually, it’s downright reasonable — to think he might be better than Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were for Pittsburgh last season.

If Rodgers can be an efficient distributor, develop some chemistry with his pass-catchers, connect on some deep throws, and make enough plays when it matters most, then there can be some upside for the offense. To contend for a Super Bowl, Rodgers needs to be more than a quarterback the Steelers can simply win with, but rather someone they win because of.

Rodgers’ time with the Jets didn’t always show that quarterback. But a change of scenery can work wonders. Russell Wilson’s time with the Steelers didn’t end on a good note, but in 2024 he still looked leagues above his Denver self.

Older quarterbacks have gone to new teams and won Super Bowls in recent memory — the 43-year-old Tom Brady and 39-year-old Peyton Manning come to mind. A good-not-great season from Rodgers can still make some noise if his supporting cast can elevate their play enough.

But that’s another big if.

The offensive line plays up to its pedigree

Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images

While we already addressed the importance of health with the first point in this article, it bears repeating that the depth of the Steelers’ O-line is almost nonexistent at the moment.

Perhaps more importantly, though, the Steelers’ offensive line starters need to play well. The interior should be OK. Zach Frazier is a developing star, Isaac Seumalo remains a starting-caliber veteran, and Mason McCormick showed some promise in his rookie year. It’s not foolproof, but it’s hardly a huge weakness.

Tackle? That’s a different problem. Broderick Jones has struggled through most of his Steelers career up to this point and is switching positions yet again. It helps that Jones is moving to left tackle — his college position, where he’s more comfortable — but it’s no guarantee he’ll suddenly live up to his first-round billing.

There’s significantly more optimism around second-year right tackle Troy Fautanu, Pittsburgh’s 2024 first-rounder, but he’s not without question marks, either. Fautanu has yet to play a full NFL game and his injury history remains a concern for his NFL longevity. And like Jones, he’s been asked to move from his college position to the other side of the line in the pros.

With an aging quarterback and an offensive scheme built on successfully establishing the run, the Steelers offensive line might be the single most important variable for the team’s success this year outside of the quarterback position.

The Steelers establish a consistent No. 2 receiving threat

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

The Steelers’ need for a WR2 remains a legitimate one, but that doesn’t mean they have to have an elite receiving duo to succeed — they just need enough so that the passing game isn’t one-dimensional. Keep in mind that Pittsburgh’s WR2 last year, Van Jefferson, had more games with under 20 yards than over that number last season. The bar isn’t sky high.

But for yet another year, the Steelers look like they’ll be in big trouble offensively if their WR1 (in this case, D.K. Metcalf) misses time.

Namely, there’s a lot of pressure on Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson to outperform expectations opposite Metcalf. And if Pat Freiermuth can become a highly featured weapon in the middle of the field for the Pittsburgh offense, the Steelers’ passing game has a chance to rise to playoff-caliber levels.

Rodgers will likely throw more than Russell Wilson did last season, and he’ll need a couple of reliable targets so the team’s passing game doesn’t become Metcalf or bust.

Of course, a trade for a big-name weapon wouldn’t hurt, either.

D.K. Metcalf steps up

Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images

One more point on the Steelers offense — which, if you haven't guessed already, determines the team’s ceiling in 2025.

The Steelers are paying newly-acquired wide receiver D.K. Metcalf like he’s a top-five player at his position. Contract value aside — the market will catch up very quickly — Pittsburgh does need Metcalf to play like the elite difference maker they’re paying him to be.

The Steelers’ new WR1 is an established star, but he’s only broken 1,000 yards three times in his six-year NFL career. His 2024 stats aren’t dramatically better than George Pickens: Metcalf had just three 100-yard games and logged five receiving touchdowns.

On an offensive that doesn’t have much firepower, the Steelers need Metcalf to do a lot of heavy lifting. He has to be a superstar day in and day out.

One of the most impressive athletes in the league, Metcalf is more than capable, but he still has limitations in his game. His route tree isn’t elite, and his contested catch ability doesn’t always live up to his built-in-a-lab frame.

But in a season where he should be seeing a lot of targets, Metcalf could be primed for a career year in his debut with the Steelers. His deep threat ability can keep defenses honest, and his size/speed combination running slants should match well with Aaron Rodgers’ quick-game passing offense.

There’s plenty to like when it comes to Metcalf’s fit in Pittsburgh. And if he can channel that into becoming a consistent game-changer on offense — something the Steelers have lacked since the Antonio Brown days — that could give his team a better shot at competing with the AFC’s elite.

Defensive stars fight off Father Time for another year

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Look, the Steelers defense is probably going to be above average in 2025. But if it’s going to be elite, it needs its best players to stay elite.

The problem? Those top players are all in the second half of their respective careers. Some are a season or two away from retirement.

Cam Heyward was an All-Pro last year, but now he’s 35. Free agent addition Darius Slay is a 34-year-old cornerback; he was still a good player during the Eagles’ 2024 Super Bowl run, but his position is among the hardest to age gracefully in.

T.J. Watt, who will be 31 in October, has built his legacy on an otherworldly speed rush. However, he’s coming off his worst full season in terms of sacks since his rookie campaign, and he doesn’t have the cleanest injury history. In a contract dispute with the Steelers that has already led to him missing some offseason time with the team, there’s reason to worry if he’ll be as impactful as usual in 2025.

Star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is still only 28, but he’s recorded just one interception in his last two seasons following a red-hot start to his Steelers career. Like the other names already mentioned, we know he’ll be good in 2025 — but just how good?

There are a lot of solid rosters in the NFL. It’s the ones with greatness that tend to make the most noise in the postseason.

The Steelers coaching staff rises to the challenge

Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

You can’t have a list like this without mentioning coaching, even if it remains a nebulous field to critique. But the NFL’s best teams are often marked by schematic innovation — a conversation Pittsburgh is generally left out of.

And in an AFC full of elite quarterbacks, the Steelers can’t just win on talent alone. Creativity and adaptability are musts.

But late last season, the Steelers collapsed on both sides of the ball. Opponents used the quick passing game to nullify Pittsburgh’s pass rush. The Steeler offense couldn’t find ways to overcome its talent deficiency.

Specifically, can defensive coordinator Teryl Austin put his stars in better places to succeed in 2025? Can offensive coordinator Arthur Smith successfully meld his and Aaron Rodgers’ preferences? And can Mike Tomlin prevent another December losing streak for his team?

The Steelers haven’t had momentum entering the playoffs for a while — that needs to change in 2025.

You could add a lot of honorable mentions to this list — the rookie class immediately contributing, quality play at slot corner, etc. — but the Steelers don’t have to be completely perfect to be a contender in 2025.

Still, what was left off this list that should’ve been there? Is there anything that actually isn’t that important? And just how optimistic are you in the Steelers ahead of training camp? Make sure to let us know in the comments.