4 wild card players who could make or break the Steelers 2025 season

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2025 NFL season with several players from their roster who are big wild cards when it comes to their expected production. Whether it be due to returning from injury or going through a position change, these players and their success this season could make a huge difference on the field.

While it’s easy to look at the quarterback position and the uncertainty the Steelers have there and see that as a big wild card, this is not where I’m going at all. Instead, I’m focusing on specific players who could be, or are expected to be, key contributors. Although there could be more than these four players, I also believe that these are the most significant ones in terms of what they could bring to the Steelers this season.

Broderick Jones

Starting with the player who is dealing with a position change, the success of Broderick Jones in 2025 could go a long way and determining the success of the Steelers offense. After two years of having all but one of his 27 career starts coming at right tackle, Jones is transitioning to the left side. While I personally don’t see switching sides at tackle being the difference between huge success and utter failure, there are plenty that will attribute any improvement by Jones being going back at left tackle. Although this may be a factor, it is also important to see that Jones is coming into the 2025 season much more prepared than in 2024. Taking a huge step back from how he finished his rookie season, last year Jones did not come to training camp where he needed to be in order to be a successful NFL tackle. But so far in 2025, Jones is coming in 20 pounds lighter which is a good indication he would be in a better mental state as well as he looks to solidify himself as the Steelers left tackle for years to come.

Roman Wilson

After a disappointing rookie season where wide receiver Roman Wilson only played five snaps with no targets, 2025 is hopefully going to be a bounce-back year. While there’s a lot of success tied to if the Steelers will add another weapon at wide receiver this season, production from Wilson is going to be key no matter where he falls on the depth chart. If the Steelers don’t add another wide receiver and Wilson falters, the Steelers offense could be in big trouble. But on the other hand, if Wilson can come through in a big way for the Steelers in 2025 it will help the offense tremendously.

Troy Fautanu

Although he logged more snaps than Roman Wilson as a rookie, Troy Fautanu only appeared in one game with 55 snaps. Yes, Fautanu brings high pedigree from a draft standpoint, but it’s still unknown how he will respond from last year‘s knee injury. I admit that Fautanu is probably the least wild card from a negative perspective, but whether or not he will be an outstanding player or an average player will make a big difference on this offensive line.

Cole Holcomb

As the final player on this list, Holcomb is almost the opposite of Troy Fautanu. While Fautanu is expected to be a good player but how good is still in the air, the expectations for Holcomb coming back from the gruesome knee injury in 2023 are very low. The fact he could play at all again in the NFL and potentially contribute is a bonus that many Steelers fans probably were not expecting after missing all of 2024. But if Holcomb gets anywhere close to what he was before his injury and could help his defense and that regard, it’s just bonus quality play that was not expected and could take the Steelers defense to the next level.