The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2025 season with a roster brimming with new expertise and heightened expectations. Normal Supervisor Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin have made it clear that competitors is the brand new normal, and no veteran’s spot is secure. After a busy offseason and a revealing minicamp, a number of established names now discover themselves squarely on the roster bubble. Listed below are three Steelers who’re in actual hazard of being lower because the staff heads towards coaching camp.
Cordarrelle Patterson: Veteran Return Ace Dealing with the Finish
Cordarrelle Patterson arrived in Pittsburgh hoping to revitalize the staff’s particular groups and supply depth within the backfield, however his time in black and gold has been underwhelming. Patterson, a four-time All-Professional and the NFL’s all-time chief in kick return touchdowns, was anticipated to be a difference-maker, particularly with the NFL’s new kickoff guidelines. Nevertheless, his influence in 2024 was minimal: he logged solely 135 speeding yards on 32 carries and averaged a modest 21.8 yards per kick return, with no touchdowns scored in both section.
The Steelers’ operating again room has modified dramatically. Najee Harris is gone, however the staff added promising rookie Kaleb Johnson and free agent Kenneth Gainwell, each of whom are anticipated to play important roles alongside Jaylen Warren. Patterson’s function as a return specialist is now beneath menace, as Gainwell and even Warren have proven extra explosiveness and flexibility within the return recreation. At 34, Patterson’s finest days are behind him, and his declining manufacturing mixed with a $2.85 million cap financial savings if launched makes him a chief candidate to be lower earlier than the season begins.
Whereas his familiarity with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme is a plus, the numbers and the depth chart are stacked towards him. Except Patterson can ship a standout coaching camp and preseason, his tenure in Pittsburgh is probably going nearing its finish.
Dean Lowry: Forgotten Man on a Crowded Defensive Line
Dean Lowry’s signing was imagined to carry veteran stability to the Steelers’ defensive entrance, however accidents and inconsistent play have left him as little greater than a depth choice. After lacking a lot of 2023 with a pectoral harm, Lowry returned in 2024 solely to search out himself buried on the depth chart and inactive for key stretches, together with the tip of the common season and the playoffs. He completed final season with simply 5 tackles and one sack throughout 12 video games, and superior metrics ranked him among the many league’s worst defensive linemen, notably in run protection.
The Steelers have since retooled their defensive position, drafting Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, and re-signing Isaiahh Loudermilk whereas bringing in further free brokers. With Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Montravius Adams all forward of him, Lowry’s path to the 53-man roster is extraordinarily slim. His contract is modest, however the Steelers have proven little confidence in his skill to contribute at a excessive degree.
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Except Lowry can outperform a number of youthful, extra athletic gamers in coaching camp, he’ll possible be a casualty of the staff’s youth motion on the defensive entrance.
DeMarvin Leal: Former Third-Spherical Choose Operating Out of Probabilities
DeMarvin Leal, a 2022 third-round decide, was as soon as considered as a possible steal for the Steelers’ defensive position. Nevertheless, his NFL journey has been marred by accidents and inconsistency. Leal has performed in simply 28 of a doable 51 video games, recording a single sack and solely 33 tackles in his profession. Final season, he missed important time with a neck harm, and his growth has stalled to the purpose the place his match on the roster is unclear.
The Steelers’ latest strikes have solely made Leal’s scenario extra precarious. The staff re-signed Loudermilk, drafted Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, and added a number of edge rushers and defensive linemen by way of free company and the draft. Based on analysts, Leal is “too small to be a defensive finish and too huge to be an edge,” leaving him in a no-man’s land with no clear function in Tomlin’s system.
Reducing Leal would save the Steelers $1.4 million in cap area, however the true motivation is the shortage of an outlined function and the inflow of youthful, extra scheme-friendly expertise. Except Leal can carve out a distinct segment or present dramatic enchancment, his time in Pittsburgh may very well be coming to an finish.
The Steelers’ 2025 roster is in flux, and the strain is on for veterans and fringe contributors to show their value. Cordarrelle Patterson, Dean Lowry, and DeMarvin Leal every face distinctive challenges, however all share a standard actuality, their futures in Pittsburgh are hanging by a thread after minicamp. With a brand new wave of expertise and an unforgiving depth chart, these three gamers should ship standout performances in coaching camp or danger being among the many subsequent to go because the Steelers chase a return to playoff glory.