Kevin Szafraniec details why the Steelers are ready to continue their winning ways with an upgraded defense and a rejuvenated rushing attack, despite the additions of Aaron Rodgers and D.K. Metcalf garnering the majority of the attention this offseason.
Year in and year out, Mike Tomlin has proved that he knows what it takes to keep the Steelers on the positive side of the win column. Across his 18 years in Pittsburgh, Tomlin has faced plenty of challenges, including dealing with difficult personalities and overcoming declining quarterback play from aging veterans.
2025 will once again put Tomlin to the test, as he has an outspoken and declining 41-year-old QB in Aaron Rodgers preparing to sing his swan song in Pittsburgh. Ever since the final years of Ben Roethlisberger’s career, Tomlin has continually found ways to succeed while masking inept QB play. While Rodgers has not declined to the level of Kenny Pickett or Mitch Trubisky, his defiant, stubborn disposition adds another wrinkle to an already volatile situation.
As Tomlin heads into his 19th season as Pittsburgh’s head coach, we should give him the benefit of the doubt that he will be able to coax another winning season out of the Steelers. However, while Rodgers is sure to claim the majority of the headlines, the winning formula for Pittsburgh is more likely to rely on a reloaded defense and rejuvenated rushing attack to do most of the heavy lifting. So, as the spotlight shines on Rodgers in what is likely to be his farewell tour, who are the supporting players on the Steelers’ offense who can deliver for fantasy managers while playing in Rodgers’ shadow?
AFC North
- Baltimore Ravens: There Is No End in Sight for Lamar Jackson’s Fantasy Domination
- Cleveland Browns: There Are Gems to Be Found on Kevin Stefanski’s Offense If You Know Where to Look
- Cincinnati Bengals: Poor Real-Life Roster Construction Creates Elite Fantasy Pathways for the Bengals’ Stars
AFC South
- Houston Texans: Why New Weapons and a New Scheme Will Lead to a C.J. Stroud Bounceback
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 2025 Represents Trevor Lawrence’s Best Chance Yet to Reach His Ceiling
- Tennessee Titans: Will an Abundance of Garbage Time Result in Tennessee’s Late-Round Skill-Position Players Returning Big-Time Fantasy Value?
- Indianapolis Colts: Sitting in QB Purgatory May Limit the Offense in 2025, but 2026 Could Bring an Epic Rebound
AFC East
- Miami Dolphins: Whose Fantasy Arrows Are Pointing Up on a Miami Offense Heading in the Opposite Direction?
- New York Jets: A Shift in Offensive Philosophy Could Result in Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis Forming the Best Backfield in the AFC
- New England Patriots: Drake Maye Still Finds Himself Surrounded by Lackluster Weapons, But He May Thrive Anyway
AFC West
- Denver Broncos: Bo Nix Is About to Join the Ranks of the NFL’s Elite QBs
- Los Angeles Chargers: Has Justin Herbert Forced Greg Roman to Rethink His Offensive Approach?
- Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty Could Emerge to Become the Top Players at Their Positions
NFC North
- Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy Finds Himself in the Middle of the Perfect Storm for Fantasy Production
- Green Bay Packers: Why the NFL’s Most Complete Roster Is Finally About to Get the Attention It Deserves
- Detroit Lions: Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Discounted ADP Has Him Poised to Be 2025’s Most Undervalued Superstar
NFC South
- Atlanta Falcons: Which Players Are Primed to Help Take the Atlanta Offense to the Next Level?
- Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young Is Finally Ready to Deliver on His College Potential
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Despite Yet Another New Offensive Coordinator, Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving Are Still Set Up to Deliver in 2025
NFC East
- Philadelphia Eagles: Why Small Changes Could Lead to Even Bigger Fantasy Scoring in 2025
- Dallas Cowboys: A New Offensive Direction Is Exactly What Dak Prescott Needs to Get Back on Track
- Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels’ Fantasy Ceiling Is Only Limited by the Aging Roster Around Him
NFC West
- San Francisco 49ers: Make Sure You Are Rostering the Next Wave of Stars in Kyle Shanahan’s Offense
- Arizona Cardinals: Why Kyler Murray Will Overcome His Doubters and Return to His Elite Ways
- Los Angeles Rams: History Is Getting Ready to Repeat Itself in L.A. as Puka Nacua Eyes 2025’s Overall WR1 Spot
- Seattle Seahawks: The Discount ADPs of Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet Make Them the Most Undervalued Backfield in Fantasy
Mike Tomlin Just Keeps On Keeping On
Tomlin still has never had a losing season after leading the Steelers to yet another playoff berth in 2024. Bringing in Arthur Smith last offseason provided a boost to the offense, as Pittsburgh averaged an additional 4.5 points per game compared to 2023. With the offense taking a step forward and the defense holding steady, Tomlin led his team to a second 10-win season in as many years, marking the 11th time he has reached a double-digit win total in his career.
At this point, it is difficult to describe Tomlin as anything other than one of the best coaches of his generation, and he could possibly end up as one of the best of all time when he chooses to retire. But after considering that he is still only 53 years old, Tomlin still has at least another decade before he starts to consider calling it a career.
