As with every season, roster turnover has been significant. Let’s examine the Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest offseason losses below.
Which Steelers Offseason Loss Will Be the Most Impactful in 2025?
Minkah to Miami
Let’s start with the most recent Steelers’ offseason loss, Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick was sent to Miami as part of a trade for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith.
Fitzpatrick was the headline name in the Steelers’ secondary and a perennial Pro Bowler.
Following an injury-plagued 2023, Fitzpatrick had a down year by his standards in 2024. The rumors were that the Steelers felt his performance didn’t justify his weighty salary.
The Steelers traded for Jalen Ramsey, who is expected to take safety reps. They also added veteran safety Juan Thornhill. Thornhill has been a capable starter for several teams.
Dan Moore Gets a Raise
Exclusively looking at the financials, the argument is clear: Dan Moore is the Steelers’ biggest offseason loss in 2025.
The Steelers’ former left tackle signed a huge contract with the Tennessee Titans in March, which came out at $82 million over four years
Moore’s play in Pittsburgh was inconsistent. As a 4th-round pick, he started at left tackle for four seasons, missing only two games; however, he gave up a league-high 10 sacks in 2024.
Looking at the snap counts for 2024, Dan Moore played the most snaps of any Steelers.
His replacement in 2025 is Broderick Jones, the Steelers’ 2023 first-round pick. Jones moves back to his more natural spot of left tackle, having played the whole of 2024 on the right side. Jones’s ability to become the franchise left tackle the Steelers drafted him to be is the biggest question facing the team in 2025.
Goodbye George
George Pickens was traded following the big-money addition of DK Metcalf. The Steelers were not going to give a second contract to Pickens, whose conduct had been brought into question.
Pickens is a young, dynamic playmaker and was often the Steelers’ only offensive threat in 2024. His ability to bring in contested downfield throws is fantastic, and he regularly makes spectacular catches.
The Steelers added DK Metcalf this offseason and signed him to a massive contract extension to be their clear number one receiver. Pickens is undoubtedly talented, but at least his replacement is equally so.
Najee Eyes a Change of Scenery
Harris, the former first-round pick, has been the workhorse back for the Steelers since he was drafted in 2021, rushing for over 1000 yards in each of his four years in Pittsburgh.
Najee Harris signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. Due to a fireworks accident, Harris was placed on the non-football injury list.
Harris played only 50.4% of snaps in 2025, and the Steelers drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round to replace him.
Underated Roberts
Elandon Roberts is a downhill physical linebacker. He was a key cog in defending the run, making one of the plays of the season against Dallas in week five.
— SteelersTape (@SteelersTape) July 21, 2025
Roberts signed a one-year $3 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Steelers are becoming familiar with losing linebackers to the Raiders following Robert Spillane’s departure in 2023.
The decision to let Roberts walk for what seems to be a fairly inconsequential number that the Steelers could have matched seems disappointing on the surface. It’s projected that he’ll be one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest offseason losses.
His replacement will be second-year player Payton Wilson. The rookie linebacker showed flashes in 2025 but needs to continue to develop, particularly when working against larger blockers.
The Steelers did sign inside linebacker Malik Harrison from Baltimore; however, his addition is due to his special-teams prowess, and the Steelers have lost some of the physicality that Roberts brought.
Daniels Departs
The most under-the-radar departure from 2024 is the loss of guard James Daniels. Once a big free agent signing for Pittsburgh via Chicago, Daniels tore his Achilles’ tendon against the Colts in week four of 2024. Rookie sixth-round pick Mason McCormick replaced Daniels in the starting lineup. Daniels signed a three-year $24 million deal with Miami in March.
Daniels was playing very well before the injury. McCormick stepped into his shoes and showed why the Steelers placed a late-round flyer on the South Dakota State product.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the biggest loss for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their offseason is Fitzpatrick. The number of snaps lost and his importance to the defense are the reasons for this. The Ramsey and Thornhill additions, plus the extension of DeShon Elliott, do, however, soften the blow. The biggest concern is whether the Steelers can replace the physical presence lost by the departure of Elandon Roberts at inside linebacker.
Main Photo: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
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