Better or Worse? 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Line
The Pittsburgh Steelers have seen a lot of roster turnover this offseason, at many positions, and sometimes you have to wonder if the change which is made is always good. After all, change just to change isn’t what any NFL franchise wants to do, but changing for the better is always the objective.
However, with the current state of free agency losing players in inevitable. Making changes to your roster to help absorb those players lost is the challenge of every NFL front office. With that out of the way, it is time to take a look at the 2025 Steelers roster, by position, and whether or not the roster is better, or worse, entering the upcoming season.
Today we focus on the offensive line. Before giving a full analysis, let’s take a look at players lost, players added, and players who are expected to make a jump in production this season:
Players Lost
- OT Dan Moore Jr.
- OG James Daniels
Players Added
- OT Calvin Anders
- OG Max Scharping
Players Expected to Make a Jump
- OT Broderick Jones
- C Zach Frazier
- OG Mason McCormick
- OT Troy Fautanu
As it pertains to whether or not this roster is better or worse, this is a difficult question to answer when talking about the offensive line. You lose Dan Moore to free agency, and many will celebrate his departure; however, will Broderick Jones be able to step in and step up at left tackle? It’s a position he’s played one game since being drafted out of Georgia.
On the opposite side you have Troy Fautanu who missed almost the entire 2024 season with a knee injury. Will he be able to lock down the right side of the offensive line, proving the Steelers made the right call when taking him in the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft?
Zach Frazier seems to be the rock of the offensive line, even just entering Year 2, but the guards playing next to him have big question marks surrounding them. Isaac Seumalo is coming off a rough season which saw him miss the first four games due to injury, and Mason McCormick is filling in for Daniels, who was arguably the Steelers best offensive lineman the last two seasons.
There are so many questions surrounding the offensive line, even after the team has spent two 1st Round picks, a 2nd Round pick and 4th Round pick on the group the last three drafts. If there was an option for “stays the same”, I’d likely take that option, but I can’t do that. So, is the offensive line better or worse?
Verdict: Worse
Let me make something very clear here, this offensive line could be better, but I think it is going to take time, and a lot of the questions will have to be answered on the field. On paper they lost a lot, and what they have replacing those lost snaps are unproven commodities. That’s why I have to say they are worse, at least to start the 2025 regular season.
What about you? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of the offseason and get ready for training camp.
I would say they have much higher potential, but also a lower floor. There is a world where Jones works out at LT, Fautanu shows why he was a first round pick, Frazier solidifies himself as one of the best in the game, McCormick takes a step forward, and Seumalo goes back to his 2023 being fully recovered from injury.
But there’s also the world where everyone but Frazier works out.
I have faith in Frazier to be elite and think Fautanu could very well be a long term answer. I really do think seumalo was impacted by his injury and think he’ll be better. McCormick has that fire in him that I think is great for a lineman. Broderick is the one I worry about, but hopefully the move to left is the answer for him. Big year for him to splash or get off the pot
And the starters had better stay healthy, like in ’22.
Geez Jeff, why “Worse” today, instead of “To Be Determined”, today?
To Be Determined isn’t an option, or else I would have! lol
Ugh. Maybe next time, like 10 stars for rating instead of five. I’d like the 10.
Probably better.
Fautano should be better than Jones was at RT. Probably.
Jones should match or surpass Moore at LT. Probably.
Seumalo should be the same.
Frazier & McCormick should improve.
But none of those are guaranteed. And some could crater….
TBD, with a splash of reasoned Dufresne.
Easy – worse. They could be better, but they can just as easily be a whole lot worse. Untill they prove it how can I possibly say anything else.
JoeB, you’re A-okay by me. Already determined.