Steelers’ Youth Movement? Still Stuck in First Gear.
The Pittsburgh Steelers fanbase is no stranger to riding the highs and lows of NFL transitions, but this one feels particularly frustrating. We’ve now seen back-to-back offseasons filled with what looks like half-committed rebuilding — little tweaks here, modest signings there — but nothing that screams bold vision or long-term planning. Instead, it feels like the team’s trying to patch holes with duct tape when what’s really needed is a full remodel.
Let’s be honest — the current state of the Steelers roster is giving major “we’re stuck in limbo” vibes. You’ve got veterans who are clearly on the back end of their prime, and the young guys? Well, most of them haven’t exactly lived up to the hype yet. That becomes even more evident when you look at a recent list published by Pro Football Reference, ranking the top 25 NFL players under the age of 25. You won’t find a single Steeler on that list. Not one.
🔥 That’s right — zero Steelers made the cut.
And that’s not just a small miss. It’s a major red flag when it comes to evaluating the future of this franchise.
This glaring omission paints a very clear picture: the Steelers may have talent, sure, but it’s aging fast. And when your young core can’t even crack a list of rising stars, you’ve got some soul-searching to do in your front office and scouting department.
Is There a Bright Spot? Meet Zach Frazier.
If we’re hunting for glimmers of hope — and Steelers Nation always does — then Zach Frazier might be the one name that deserves at least a mention. Drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the rookie center was kind of thrown into the fire after starter Nate Herbig went down with an injury. Talk about being handed the keys to the car before you even get your driver’s license.
But Frazier didn’t just survive — he thrived.
🏈 15 games started as a rookie
🏈 Second-highest-rated rookie offensive lineman in the league
🏈 Carrying on the Steelers' rich tradition at center
That's impressive, especially in the trenches where the NFL eats young players alive. The kid held his ground and made a name for himself fast. Pittsburgh has a long legacy of elite centers — think Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, Maurkice Pouncey — and Frazier might just be the next big name in line. If you’re banking on someone from this current roster making a leap in the coming years, Frazier is your best bet.
And the Rest? Well, It's Complicated.
Outside of Frazier, though, it starts to get pretty murky.
Remember when we were all hyped about Joey Porter Jr.? The son of a Steelers legend, he looked solid in his rookie campaign, but that sophomore slump hit hard. Porter Jr. struggled with consistency in 2024, and he wasn’t alone.
Right beside him, Keeanu Benton, the defensive tackle who showed some flashes early on, also took a noticeable step back in Year 2. You could chalk it up to scheme changes or the dreaded “second-year wall,” but no matter the excuse, it’s clear their development hasn't matched the expectations.
And what about Nick Herbig? The edge rusher came into the league with buzz, but so far, he’s done little to justify it. The potential’s there, maybe, but the results definitely aren’t.
❗ Three highly-touted second-year players — Porter, Benton, Herbig — all trending the wrong direction.
That’s not the kind of trajectory that gets fans excited or opponents worried.
Looking Ahead: Hope in the 2025 Rookie Class?
The Steelers’ 2025 rookie class has some intriguing pieces, no doubt. Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon looks like he could develop into something special. And running back Kaleb Johnson turned heads in training camp with his mix of speed and vision. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves — these guys haven’t even played a full NFL snap yet.
In other words, it’s way too early to crown them or even consider them for something like a top-25 under 25 list. Maybe one or two will make the leap in a year or two, but for now, they’re still question marks — promising ones, sure, but question marks all the same.
So What’s the Real Problem Here?
Let’s zoom out for a second. The issue isn’t just that Pittsburgh missed a meaningless offseason list. It’s what that absence represents.
No elite young talent means a lack of long-term identity. It means your rebuild is going nowhere fast. It means that when your aging stars — like T.J. Watt or Cameron Heyward — eventually move on, the next wave may not be ready to carry the torch.
And that’s terrifying if you’re a Steelers fan used to seeing this team compete year in and year out.
Some Key Takeaways:
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❌ Zero players under 25 made Pro Football Reference’s top list.
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💡 Zach Frazier is the lone rookie bright spot, showing real promise at center.
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📉 Porter Jr., Benton, and Herbig all regressed in Year 2.
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⏳ 2025 rookies look exciting, but it’s way too early to judge.
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🚨 The roster’s aging, and there’s no elite youth pipeline to backfill.
What Now?
This offseason, the Steelers front office needs to get aggressive and intentional. It’s not enough to just fill gaps or make safe picks. They need to hit on draft picks, develop players faster, and find that next superstar who can anchor the team into the next decade.
Whether it’s more bold moves in free agency or shaking up their player development strategy, the time for half-measures is over. Because if another offseason passes and we’re still talking about the same lack of young talent? That’s when real panic sets in.
And Steelers fans — known for their loyalty and patience — won’t keep waiting forever.
Would you call this a rebuild? A retooling? A transition phase? Whatever label you slap on it, one thing’s clear: it’s not working. And unless someone from this crop of young players — maybe Frazier, maybe a rookie, maybe even a late bloomer like Herbig — steps up, the Steelers could be staring at a future that looks a lot like mediocrity.
And let’s face it, in Pittsburgh, mediocrity just doesn’t cut it.
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