The Pittsburgh Steelers have begun making changes to their roster at the start of the 2025 offseason. One notable move is the retirement of receiver Adam Thielen, who announced his decision on social media after a 12-year career in the NFL. Thielen joined the Steelers from the Minnesota Vikings on December 2 and recorded 11 receptions for 117 yards during the regular season, along with two catches for 25 yards in the Wild Card game.
In addition to Thielen’s retirement, the team has signed 16 players to Reserve/Future contracts following the conclusion of the season. Many of these players spent time on the team’s practice squad, while others are new additions.
Among those signed is long snapper Cal Adomitis, a Pittsburgh native who played at Central Catholic High School and the University of Pittsburgh. Adomitis was last with the Philadelphia Eagles and previously played 49 games with the Cincinnati Bengals after joining them as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Defensive tackle Kyler Baugh spent most of last season on Pittsburgh’s practice squad after being signed during training camp. Baugh entered the league as an undrafted rookie with New Orleans following the 2024 draft and also had stints with both New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons’ practice squads.
Receiver Cole Burgess was originally signed by Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent after last year’s draft and spent that season on their practice squad. In college at SUNY Cortland, he earned several honors including first-team All-ECAC recognition.
Defensive end Anthony Goodlow joined Pittsburgh’s practice squad in November after spending time with Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams organizations. He played college football at Oklahoma State and Tulsa.
Daequan Hardy, a defensive back drafted by Buffalo in 2024, was also added to a Reserve/Future contract after spending time on both Buffalo’s and Pittsburgh’s practice squads last season. Hardy played at Penn State where he contributed both defensively and as a return specialist.
Other signings include defensive back Jack Henderson (formerly with Carolina Panthers), defensive end K.J. Henry (a former fifth-round pick by Washington Commanders), receiver Max Hurleman (signed after a tryout), defensive back D’Shawn Jamison (previously with San Francisco and Carolina), offensive guard Steven Jones (from Oregon via Jacksonville Jaguars), offensive lineman Doug Nester (from West Virginia via Minnesota Vikings), running back Lew Nichols (drafted by Green Bay Packers in 2023), receiver John Rhys Plumlee (played quarterback at Central Florida before switching positions), receiver Brandon Smith (who appeared in three games for New York Jets), linebacker Julius Welschof (originally from Germany, played at Michigan and Charlotte), and offensive tackle Aiden Williams (from Minnesota-Duluth).
These moves reflect early adjustments as Pittsburgh prepares for next season.
