Coming off a playoff appearance in 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers seemingly improved their roster from top to bottom in a chaotic offseason.<\/p>\n
But now, the belief is \u2014 at least for one analyst \u2014 that the Steelers will be on the outside looking in on the playoff picture in 2025.<\/p>\n
Appearing on NFL Network\u2019s Good Morning Football Monday, analyst Cynthia Frelund says she believes Pittsburgh will be just outside of the playoffs despite the additions this offseason.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust barely\u2026just on the outside. Maybe a bubble team,\u201d Frelund said of the Steelers\u2019 playoff outlook, according to video via NFL Network.<\/a> \u201cNow when I\u2019m looking at their schedule and I\u2019m kind of figuring things out, it is super ironic to me. So I have 8.3 wins. That means that they are eighth or ninth. They\u2019re kind of tied in that little spot, which means outside looking in.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite adding Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and trading for WR DK Metcalf, TE Jonnu Smith and DB Jalen Ramsey, not to mention signing CB Darius Slay in free agency, the Steelers are projected to have less wins this season than last year.<\/p>\n Last offseason, Frelund projected the Steelers to win 8.7 games.<\/a> So, they are still in that 8-9 win window but projected to take a slight step backwards. That doesn\u2019t make much sense, considering the Steelers\u2019 schedule last season was much more difficult and that the team had bigger holes on the roster entering the year than it does now.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not to say the Steelers\u2019 2025 schedule is easy; far from it.<\/a> Playing the NFC North and the AFC East will be difficult, not to mention within their own division in the AFC North. But things line up nicely early for the Steelers, giving them an opportunity to stack wins.<\/p>\n The Steelers were busy this offseason and made a lot of big moves. They added significant talent with great experience, landing guys who know what it takes to win in the NFL. That has to matter.<\/p>\n Of course, there\u2019s the question about T.J. Watt\u2019s contract situation<\/a> and if he\u2019ll miss games, along with the uncertainty with the young offensive line, and just what Rodgers has left in the tank. But on paper, the Steelers appear to be in good shape top to bottom.<\/p>\n