PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Every year there is going to be change, but a fairly significant roster, at places makeover, at places additions. There are 10 free agents, and potentially a couple more, who either are new or return to Pittsburgh who could make anywhere from a significant and depth impact in 2025.
WR DK Metcalf (Seahawks)
· Arguably the biggest trade of the NFL offseason, the Steelers acquired the giant receiver for a second-round pick and then signed him to the biggest receiver contract in team history. He's had at least 900 yards in every one of his six NFL seasons. 438 career catches for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns in Seattle.
QB Mason Rudolph (Titans)
· The Steelers weren't interested in him last year despite his efforts to get the team in the 2023 postseason and give them a chance in the playoff game at Buffalo. Rudolph was 3-0 to end the regular season completing 74% of his passes for 719 yards with three scores and no interceptions. The Steelers 2018 third-round pick started five games at Tennessee last year going 1-4 completing 64% of his passes for 1,530 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.
CB Darius Slay (Eagles)
· The 34-year-old signed a one-year deal after winning a Super Bowl with Philadelphia. He started 14 games with 49 tackles, 13 pass breakups, a forced fumble, but without an interception in 2024. He brings the intangible of being a willing teacher for young corners Joey Porter, Junior and Cory Trice, Junior.
CB Brandin Echols (Jets)
· He's only started five games in the last three seasons, but Echols is a five-year veteran who can play almost anywhere in the secondary. He had a couple of interceptions and 40 tackles with the Jets last year. At 5'10", 179 pounds, the former Kentucky corner played 631 special teams snaps over the last three years.
RB Kenneth Gainwell (Eagles)
· Steelers saw the 5'9", 200-pound tailback rush for 20 yards, catch three passes for 40 yards and add 63 return yards against them in Week 15 last year. He's never had 100 yards rushing in a game and never had more than 14 attempts. He may not get that this year, but the opportunities could present themselves. He's an elusive runner who is adept at getting first downs and played 25% of the special teams snaps for Philly last year.
WR Robert Woods (Texans)
· He's five years removed from being a 1-thousand-yard receiver with the Rams. Last year, a career-low 20 receptions for 203 yards and for the first time in a dozen years, a season without a touchdown. They don't need Woods to have a big year, but be more of a threat than last season. He brings leadership intangibles to an interesting group.
S Juan Thornhill (Browns)
· Criticized, and admitting, he jogged on a play last year, Thornhill picked up his game to finish the season but didn't re-sign with Cleveland. The 6' safety started 52 games in four seasons with Kansas City before starting all 22 games he played with the Browns. In 2023, he played 92% of the defensive snaps and that dropped to 57% last year.
He's played limited special teams in his career.
RB Trey Sermon (Colts)
· He had a few monster games his last year at Ohio State, but in four years in the NFL hasn't rushed for more than 167 yards in a season. Overall in 42 games, Sermon has 505 yards, 3.8 yards-per-carry with three touchdowns. He's added 22 receptions for 138 yards between the Niners, Eagles and Colts. It's a roll of the dice that he might be a situational option, or there in case of injury.
QB Skylar Thompson (Dolphins)
· The first quarterback to sign, Thompson was the only quarterback on the roster until March. The 6'2", nearly 28-year-old started three games and played in 10 in his three-year Dolphins career. He completed 58.7% of his passes for 721 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions with Miami. Thompson will either battle to be the back-up or to stay on the roster.
LB Malik Harrison (Ravens)
· A former third-round pick, the 6'3", 255-pounder spent five years with the Ravens before signing here. Harrison started 34 of his 76 career games with 174 tackles (95 solo) with a pair of sacks. Harrison will get the majority of his work on special teams, he's played 306 more kick unit snaps than defensive.
