The Steelers 2024-25 NFL season overview

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer • January 14, 2025

Pat Freiermuth, tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers during a game against the Cleveland Browns on October 31, 2021. Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

On Jan. 11, 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024-25 NFL season came to an unfortunate end following a devasting loss to division rivals the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Despite their disappointing postseason exit, Pittsburgh finished their regular season with a respectable 10-7 record.

In reality, Pittsburgh’s 2024-25 NFL season was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, with their offense struggling to match the explosive play of their all-star defense.

Their high-powered defense, led by defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, managed to rack up 40 sacks.

With players such as TJ Watt, Cameron Hayward, Alex Highsmith, Nic Herbig, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and the off-season signee of Patrick Queen, there is a definite argument that Pittsburgh had the best defense in the NFL.

Despite these impressive defensive statistics, their high-powered offense was marred by inconsistent play, with quarterback Russel Wilson failing to live up to expectations.

Following a preseason injury, Wilson would make his Pittsburgh debut in the Week 7 game against the New York Jets.

Now months later, the aging Wilson’s lack of speed and accuracy, paired with poor play by Pittsburgh’s offense has hindered their chances of becoming a consistent scoring threat.

On a positive note, running back Najee Harris emerged as a reliable offensive force, leading the team with 1,043 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

Wide receiver Calvin Austin III and tight end Pat Freiermuth also provided crucial contributions, injecting some much-needed life into a stagnant offense.

Kicker Chris Boswell proved to be a valuable asset as well, achieving a remarkable 93.2% field goal conversion rate throughout the season.

Throughout the year, the team also faced challenges beyond performance on the field, with the ongoing conflict between star wide receiver George Pickens and the organization overshadowing the season.

This situation, combined with questionable decisions and a lackluster attitude, has led many Pittsburgh fans to turn against Pickens, potentially suggesting that the 2022 second-round draft pick could be on the verge of leaving the organization.

Further complicating matters, the impending free agency period presented Pittsburgh with key decisions about renewing contracts and potentially letting go of players who underperformed.

Reports suggested that the front office would prioritize keeping their defensive core intact, while also seeking to revamp offensive coaching staff to support the young skill position players better.

Moreover, the Steelers’ management was aware that the NFL draft would present a crucial opportunity to rebound and reinvigorate fan support.

The 2024-25 season may not have ended as Pittsburgh hoped, but it illuminated the duality of their football landscape.

The coming months will be critical for Pittsburgh as they look to turn the page, rebuild confidence in their roster, address tensions within the organization, and forge a path back to playoff contention.

The 2024-25 season may not have ended as Pittsburgh hoped, but as history has shown when Pittsburgh hits the reset button, they often return stronger than before, and Steel City is ready for that fight once more.

About the Contributor

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer

And that’s another Bethel Park Black Hawks win for the boys soccer team. Whether Patrick is on the soccer field or behind the keyboard, he’s always aiming to make an impact—one play and one story at a time. This year, Patrick Romito, an 11th grader, joins Scholastic Publications for the first time. When asked why he decided to sign up, Patrick said, “I took the class to get more involved in school activities.” With a clear passion for making the most of his high school experience, Patrick is eager to contribute to the class by writing articles for the Hawk Eye newspaper. He’s ready to take on whatever stories come his way, whether spotlight features, sports, or school news. Patrick is not just a writer; he’s also an accomplished athlete. With 12 years of soccer experience under his belt and as a three-year DECA member, he balances both extracurriculars and academics with ease. As someone who enjoys variety, he’s equally open to different kinds of stories, saying, “I enjoy writing in general, so whether it’s spotlights, sports, or school news-related content, it doesn’t matter to me.” Looking ahead, Patrick’s plans after high school include studying marketing and advertising, although he’s still deciding on a specific college. In the meantime, his favorite class is Law & You with Mr. Vic. He appreciates how the course prepares him for life after high school, and he enjoys Mr. Vic’s real-life stories that make each lesson engaging. Reflecting on his time in high school, Patrick recalls the excitement of attending football games as a freshman, where he formed friendships that have lasted throughout his high school years. “I really enjoyed going to the football games freshman year because I ended up making a lot of friends there, a lot of which I’m still friends with today,” he said. Outside of school, Patrick has worked as a lifeguard at Highpoint Fitness for almost two years, a job that highlights his dedication and work ethic. When he’s not working or playing soccer, he enjoys comedy movies, with Step Brothers being his top pick. And what’s his dream vacation? Patrick hopes to one day visit Italy. “My dream vacation is Italy because first, it is very beautiful there, as well as my family roots going back to there,” he shared. In just three words, Patrick describes himself as calm, caring, and hardworking — qualities that are sure to serve him well both in and out of the classroom. Keep an eye out for Patrick’s contributions to Hawk Eye this year as he dives into the world of scholastic publications! Written by: Grace Ferency, Staff Writer