STEELERS SHOCKER: Another Key Player Departs, Fueling Worst Offseason Ever — Domino Effect: Can Pittsburgh Turn Things Around?
PITTSBURGH, PA — What started as a promising offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers has now spiraled into what fans and analysts alike are calling the worst in recent franchise history. The latest bombshell? Another key starter—Pro Bowl linebacker Alex Highsmith—is heading out the door, joining the growing list of impact players either traded, released, or choosing to walk away from the black and gold.
The loss of Highsmith, who was widely considered the cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s pass-rushing duo alongside T.J. Watt, has triggered widespread concern about the team’s trajectory. Just weeks ago, the front office reassured fans that the core was intact and a playoff push was still in sight. Now, even that feels like a distant dream.
“It’s like watching a house fall apart, brick by brick,” said former Steeler Ryan Clark on ESPN’s NFL Live. “This isn’t a rebuild—it’s an unraveling.”
The Departures: A Grim List
Highsmith’s exit adds to an alarming wave of high-profile losses this offseason:
WR George Pickens traded to the New Orleans Saints after contract disputes.
OG James Daniels, a locker room leader, surprisingly released to clear cap space.
CB Joey Porter Jr., one of the team’s most promising young defenders, now reportedly seeking a trade.
And now, Highsmith, who racked up 12.5 sacks last season and was viewed as a vocal defensive leader, is gone to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for future picks and salary relief.
All this follows the retirement of long-time defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and the hiring of a relatively unproven replacement, raising serious questions about the Steelers’ direction under head coach Mike Tomlin, who is entering his 19th season without a losing record—but whose streak now seems more threatened than ever.
A Locker Room in Flux
Sources inside the organization describe a “tense and uncertain” atmosphere, with some veterans reportedly questioning the team’s long-term plan—or lack thereof.
“You can’t just lose your dogs and expect the same bite,” said one anonymous veteran. “Leadership is thin, and morale is thinner.”
T.J. Watt, the face of the franchise and a perennial DPOY candidate, has not publicly addressed Highsmith’s departure, though he did post a cryptic broken heart emoji on Instagram just hours after the news broke.
Tomlin on the Hot Seat?
While Mike Tomlin has long been a symbol of consistency and leadership, even his staunchest defenders are starting to wonder: how much longer can he hold the ship together?
“The standard is the standard,” Tomlin famously says—but this offseason has redefined what that standard even means.
Pittsburgh has failed to win a playoff game since 2016, and despite staying competitive, the team has increasingly become a middle-of-the-pack presence in a stacked AFC. If 2025 turns into a losing season, calls for a full reset—from coaching staff to front office—could reach a fever pitch.
Is There Hope?
Not all is lost in Steel City. The team still boasts young talents like QB Kenny Pickett, RB Najee Harris, and TE Pat Freiermuth, while the defense remains anchored by Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. But talent alone won’t fix the culture issues that appear to be surfacing.
GM Omar Khan insists that this is all part of a “larger strategic pivot” to build a more sustainable roster, citing draft capital and long-term cap flexibility.
“This isn’t panic—it’s planning,” Khan told reporters. “Sometimes tough choices are required to take that next step. Our fans will understand that when they see the bigger picture.”
But for now, fans aren’t buying it. Social media is ablaze with the hashtag #SteelersCollapse, and season ticket holders are voicing frustration in droves. Some even booed at a recent fan town hall.
The Domino Effect
The Steelers’ chaos has already begun shifting the AFC North landscape. With Lamar Jackson’s Ravens reigning supreme, Joe Burrow’s Bengals reloading, and a reenergized Browns defense, Pittsburgh could be on the outside looking in come playoff time.
“You lose one guy, you adjust,” said NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “You lose four, five, six key pieces? That’s a rebuild. Whether the Steelers want to admit it or not—they’re there.”
Can They Turn It Around?
It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible. If Khan nails the draft, if young players step up, and if Tomlin can keep the locker room from splintering, the Steelers could claw back into contention.
But right now, the more urgent question is whether Pittsburgh’s front office understands the damage it’s already done—to its roster, its identity, and most critically, its fan trust.
As Highsmith himself posted in a farewell tweet:
“Once a Steeler, always a Steeler. But I can’t lie—this one hurts.”
For the fans of the black and gold, it hurts too. The proud franchise once known for stability now finds itself caught in chaos, staring down a crossroads where every decision could determine whether this is a momentary stumble—or the beginning of a full-scale fall.
