Steelers at a Crossroads: Why Retaining Key Veterans Is Step One in Pittsburgh’s Next Chapter
The 2025 season was supposed to be a final push-a bold, calculated swing at one more Super Bowl run. Instead, it left the Pittsburgh Steelers staring down a pivotal offseason with more questions than answers.
Now, as the Mike McCarthy era begins, the franchise finds itself walking a tightrope between staying competitive and rebuilding on the fly. And before they can look ahead to splashy moves or fresh faces, the Steelers need to make some critical decisions about the veterans who still matter.
Let’s be clear: the all-in approach wasn’t a total bust. The acquisition of Aaron Rodgers gave Pittsburgh a jolt of credibility and confidence.
He helped lead the team to an 11-6 record and an AFC North title, backed by a defense that once again ranked among the league’s elite. Rodgers showed flashes of the old magic, and the offense leaned heavily on the trio of Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, and DK Metcalf to keep the chains moving.
Acrisure Stadium was buzzing with playoff energy. But then came the crash.
In the Wild Card round, Houston’s younger, faster roster ran Pittsburgh off the field in a 30-6 dismantling that exposed every crack in the foundation. Rodgers was under constant pressure, the run game stalled, and the defense simply ran out of gas.
Twenty-four hours later, the organization was rocked again when Mike Tomlin announced his retirement after 19 seasons. Just like that, a season-and an era-was over.
Now, McCarthy steps into a franchise in flux. The quarterback situation is murky with Rodgers likely stepping away.
The wide receiver room is thin after Adam Thielen’s retirement, leaving Metcalf as the lone proven threat. The secondary needs help at both corner and safety, the defensive line must prepare for life without Cam Heyward, and there are real questions at linebacker and across the offensive line.
In short, this is a roster in transition. And that makes retaining the right veterans not just smart-it’s essential.
Kenneth Gainwell: The Offense’s Most Versatile Weapon
Key stats: 1,023 scrimmage yards, 8 total touchdowns, 4.7 yards per carry
Gainwell didn’t just step up in 2025-he became one of the Steelers’ most reliable and explosive offensive weapons. Whether as a runner or a receiving option out of the backfield, he gave Rodgers a safety valve and a spark plug. He was one of the few players who managed to find daylight against Houston’s stacked front in the playoff loss, and that’s saying something.
In a West Coast-influenced system like McCarthy’s, a back like Gainwell is gold. He’s shifty, smart, and can line up anywhere.
With the quarterback situation in flux, having a do-it-all back who can ease the pressure on whoever is under center is a luxury the Steelers can’t afford to lose. Letting him walk would create a hole at a position that’s already been solved.
Kyle Dugger: The Tone-Setter in the Secondary
Key stats: 59 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed, 1 defensive touchdown
Dugger brought something to Pittsburgh’s secondary that can’t be taught: attitude. His physicality allowed the defense to disguise coverages, and his presence freed up Jalen Ramsey to play more aggressively. Time and again, Dugger delivered momentum-shifting plays during the stretch run to the division title.
The Steelers have long prided themselves on defensive toughness, and Dugger fits that mold perfectly. As the team gets younger and longtime leaders like Heyward begin to fade out, Dugger’s leadership and edge are invaluable. Replacing his production and presence while also trying to rebuild the cornerback room would stretch even the most seasoned staff.
Isaac Seumalo: The Steady Hand on the Offensive Line
Key stats: 1,020 snaps, 0 holding penalties
While the spotlight often shines on the young linemen with upside, Seumalo was the glue holding the front together. He consistently neutralized interior pressure and quietly anchored a unit that faced some of the league’s toughest defensive lines.
No holding penalties across more than 1,000 snaps? That’s not just clean football-it’s elite consistency.
McCarthy’s offenses are built on timing and rhythm, and that starts with a solid interior line. Whether the Steelers go with a rookie, a bridge quarterback, or something in between, they’ll need a stable pocket.
Seumalo provides that, and his professionalism sets the tone for the entire group. Losing him would not only weaken the line-it could stunt the growth of the younger players around him.
Let’s be real: re-signing Gainwell, Dugger, and Seumalo won’t fix everything in Pittsburgh. But it’s a crucial first step in making sure things don’t get worse. These three don’t just fill roles-they represent stability, leadership, and production at positions that matter deeply in today’s NFL.
As the Steelers pivot into a new era, continuity will be just as important as change. Before they chase the next big thing, they need to lock down the pieces that give them a fighting chance to stay competitive. The future starts with keeping the right parts of the past.