As the 2025 NFL season approaches, teams and players prepare to embark on a new campaign, often amid roster turnover and rising expectations. For some players, this can bring added pressure to deliver.
The Pittsburgh Steelers experienced change after an embarrassing 28-14 loss in the Wild Card round against the Baltimore Ravens. The defense allowed 299 rushing yards, prompting the Steelers to reevaluate their roster and make moves to remain competitive in a loaded AFC.
Here are five Steelers under the most pressure to perform while playing meaningful snaps in 2025. Some are playing for contract extensions, others are battling for roster spots, and a few are trying to bounce back.
1. Jaylen Warren
Following Najee Harris’ move to the Los Angeles Chargers, fourth-year back Jaylen Warren steps into a lead role.
After signing his one-year restricted free agent tender this offseason, Warren now eyes a long-term deal that could keep him in Pittsburgh.
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Warren’s rise has been one of the league’s better underdog stories. An undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State in 2022, he has flashed big-play ability and versatility.
Warren rushed 77 times for 379 yards and one touchdown as a rookie, adding 28 receptions for 214 yards. In 2023, he broke out with 784 yards and four touchdowns on 149 carries, along with 61 receptions for 370 yards.
Though he missed two games with a hamstring injury in 2024, Warren still totaled 511 rushing yards and 310 receiving yards. With rookie Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa now on the roster, Warren will need to prove he can carry a full workload and produce like a 1,000-yard back.
2. Broderick Jones
After playing right tackle the last two seasons, 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones returns to his natural position at left tackle following Dan Moore Jr.’s departure to Tennessee.
Jones was forced to play out of position in 2024 due to Moore’s presence and an injury to first-round rookie Troy Fautanu. While he dealt with struggles and criticism, Jones now enters year three with high expectations.
To live up to his draft status, Jones must cut down on pressures, sacks allowed, and penalties. Reports from the offseason workouts have been promising — he’s dropped weight and looks more agile. Now he must show it on the field.
3. Joey Porter Jr.
Third-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr. enters a crucial season. The 2023 second-rounder from Penn State has flashed some greatness, tallying 17 pass breakups and two interceptions in his first two years.
However, his physical play style has led to costly penalties. In Week 13 against the Bengals last season, he drew six flags, raising concerns about his discipline in coverage.
With the addition of veteran cornerback Darius Slay, Porter will have a mentor who can help refine his technique. Entering Year 3, Porter will need to prove that he can play both physically and smartly to earn a second contract in Pittsburgh.
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4. Cole Holcomb
After suffering a gruesome leg injury against the Titans in 2023, Holcomb heads into this season with something to prove. After missing all of 2024, he will now join a linebacker room featuring Patrick Queen, second-year linebacker Payton Wilson, and the newly acquired Malik Harrison.
Before his injury, Holcomb was a playmaker, totaling 54 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and two pass deflections. Now, with a more well-rounded room, he will have to find his groove and redefine his role.
Entering a contract year, Holcomb is playing to prove that he deserves a new deal in Pittsburgh or to put out quality film for potential suitors in free agency. The pressure is on to show that he can still be the player the Steelers believed in before his injury.
5. Cory Trice Jr.
A seventh-round pick out of Purdue in 2023, Trice has struggled to stay on the field and live up to the Steelers’ hopes of pairing him up with Joey Porter Jr. He’s the third member from the 2023 draft class to keep an eye on this season.
After missing his rookie year with a torn ACL, Trice appeared in only six games in 2024 after a hamstring injury sidelined him again against the Chargers.
With his time in Pittsburgh potentially running out, Trice has flashed moments of promise, highlighted by a Week 2 interception against the Broncos and two pass deflections in 2024. However, after returning from his hamstring injury, he struggled in coverage and became a frequent target for opposing offenses.
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Entering the 2025 season, it will be critical that Trice stays healthy and proves he can contribute. With the Steelers potentially looking to add one more name to the room, it will be important for Trice to stand out at training camp and during the preseason.
The Bottom Line
These five guys have different outlooks, but they all face the same challenge: perform or risk being left behind. With heightened expectations following the Aaron Rodgers signing, the Steelers need contributions across the board to contend.
If these players bounce back or break out, they could be the key to Pittsburgh’s success and generate plenty of buzz along the way. The question is: who will rise to the moment, and who will fade when the lights get brighter?
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