Steelers' 2025 Free Agent Moves Prove Pittsburgh Is Still In Win-Now Mode: "There's No Belief In Rebuilding"

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a massive trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf. They sent the Seattle Seahawks a second-round pick and gave Metcalf a franchise-record five-year, $150 million contract. The wide receiver position was one of the team's absolute top needs. There was no way they could go through another season without a solid partner for George Pickens. The acquisition of Metcalf allows the Steelers to go in any direction they want; if they decide to move on from Pickens, they still have an elite receiver. However, the fact that the team hasn't made other blockbuster moves has fans worried. 

The quarterback situation seems to have forced them into a holding pattern. While it sounds like they are trying to work something out with Aaron Rodgers, there are no guarantees. Both Rodgers and former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson have meetings with other teams. They might not be marquee-level moves, but it hasn't stopped them from picking up other new faces.

On top of Metcalf, they have also added cornerbacks Darius Slay and Brandin Echols, linebacker Malik Harrison, and running back Kenneth Gainwell. Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show told his co-host, Chris Mack on their show Kaboly and Mack, that the team has no choice but to sit back and wait right now for a quarterback. He said the fans need to look at the quality of their signings. They aren't all going to be big names, but they all fit into the Steelers' plan. 

"Even though the belief is that the team is far away, the Steelers don't feel that way," said Kaboly about the franchise's reasoning behind their offseason acquisitions. "Just look at the people they've signed. A lot of them have experience. A lot of them have Super Bowl experience. A lot of them have playoff experience. I mean, their actions are speaking very loudly, and what better way to move that forward than a four-time MVP, even though he's 41, soon to be 42, and past his prime? There's no belief in rebuilding."

Kaboly has said multiple times that the team feels they saw what Wilson could bring to the offense. While many feel Wilson is a better fit for the organization, Kaboly said the one thing Rodgers brings is the element of the unknown. They know what Wilson will look like with Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. They don't know how well Rodgers could perform with this team. 

The Steelers have also lost a lot of players through free agency and needed to build the roster back up. Some of these additions represent a step in the right direction, even if they aren't moving the needle for fans. For example, Donte Jackson struggled in 2024 to stay healthy and consistent, despite a strong start. Slay brings an elite set of skills to a young cornerback room that will benefit from his leadership. Slay and Gainwell helped the Philadelphia Eagles win a Super Bowl at the end of the 2024 season. Harrison was with the Baltimore Ravens.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Might Be Aaron Rodgers' Biggest Fan

The Steelers fan base seems to be sharply divided on bringing Rodgers to Pittsburgh. Many believe that Rodgers is a distraction, a player who cares more about himself than his team, and they feel vindicated by this forced holding pattern Rodgers has put the team in. Those fans say Head Coach Mike Tomlin wants volunteers, not hostages, and the wait is the ultimate hostage situation. 

However, Tomlin is reportedly pushing hard for Rodgers to come to Pittsburgh. Insider Gerry Dulac said that Tomlin would never try to override Owner Art Rooney II, but this is something he wants to see happen. 

What do you think of the offseason acquisitions so far? Tell us what you think below!

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