Steelers Enter a New Era - But Will Familiar Faces Stick Around?
The winds of change are blowing hard in Pittsburgh. For the first time since 2007, the Steelers are heading into an offseason without Mike Tomlin at the helm - and that alone signals a seismic shift in the franchise’s identity. But if you ask former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the changes might just be getting started.
On his podcast Tuesday, Roethlisberger didn’t mince words: “The house has been cleaned,” he said. And he’s not wrong.
The overhaul has already extended beyond the head coach. We’re talking about major turnover across the coaching staff, training staff, and strength and conditioning personnel.
That’s not just a tune-up - that’s a full reset.
Roethlisberger framed it not as a rebuild, but a “new build,” a subtle but important distinction. This isn’t about tearing things down to the studs. It’s about reimagining what this team can be - and who will be part of it.
That’s where things get interesting.
With a new head coach coming in - the identity of whom is still to be determined - Roethlisberger raised the question that’s now hovering over the Steelers’ offseason: How much of the current core will stick around?
“Sometimes, new guys wanna come and kinda say, ‘Let’s start a new culture,’” Roethlisberger said. And while he emphasized that it will still be the Steeler culture at its core, he also acknowledged that a philosophical shift could mean tough decisions on veteran players.
He name-dropped some of the franchise’s biggest names: Cam Heyward, Chris Boswell, T.J. Watt, and Alex Highsmith.
All of them have been cornerstones - not just on the field, but in the locker room, in the weight room, and in the community. But in the NFL, no one is untouchable when a new regime takes over.
Let’s break that down.
Cam Heyward, the heart and soul of the Steelers’ defense for over a decade, had another strong season - and arguably outperformed his contract. He’s been the embodiment of consistency, leadership, and toughness.
But he’s also entering the latter stages of his career. A new coach may see him as a bridge to the next generation - or as a piece to move on from in favor of youth.
T.J. Watt had a down year by his own lofty standards, but context matters.
He missed time after suffering a partially collapsed lung - an injury that occurred during treatment at the team facility. That’s no small thing, and it likely impacted his performance even after he returned to action.
Still, when healthy, Watt remains one of the most disruptive defensive players in the league. The question isn’t whether he can still be elite - it’s whether the new staff sees him as part of the long-term vision.
Alex Highsmith stepped up in Watt’s absence, making his presence felt with high-impact plays and a relentless motor. He’s younger, ascending, and on a team-friendly deal - exactly the kind of player you’d expect to be part of a “new build.” But again, new leadership brings new evaluations.
As for Boswell, he’s been one of the league’s most reliable kickers. But special teams are often one of the first places a new coach looks to make changes, especially if they want to bring in “their guy.”
Roethlisberger made it clear: He believes these veterans should stay. But he also understands the business side of the game - and how new coaches often want to bring in their own people, set their own tone, and establish a fresh identity.
“If you brought in a Mike McCarthy, a Brian Flores, guys that have that understanding, I’m sure they would be like, ‘Nah. These guys, we need them,’” Roethlisberger said. But if the hire is someone with no ties to the organization - someone looking to make a name for themselves - the approach could be very different.
This is the balancing act Pittsburgh faces. Do they lean on their veteran core to help shepherd in a new era, or do they go all-in on a youth movement and start fresh?
One thing’s for sure: The Steelers are entering uncharted territory. The franchise that’s long been defined by stability - three head coaches since 1969 - is now staring down a future full of unknowns. Who stays, who goes, and what kind of culture the new coach wants to build will shape not just the 2026 season, but the next chapter of Steelers football.
And for a team that prides itself on tradition, that’s a crossroads worth watching.