The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-14 at Acrisure Stadium in their second preseason game, as the team continues its preparation for the 2025 NFL season. With training camp completed on August 13, Coach Mike Tomlin emphasized that the preseason is primarily a tool for team development.
Tomlin discussed the process of integrating new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who signed a one-year contract with the Steelers on June 6. Rodgers brings four MVP awards and over 62,000 career passing yards to Pittsburgh. Tomlin said, “I think relationships require certain fits, and so it requires some discussion, not only us to get to know him, but him to get to know us … Obviously, a quarterback is a significant position. It’s a unique role, and it certainly helps the process when his vision and personal aspirations are aligned with those of the team and organization … It certainly was a series of conversations, and really it was more about what he was looking for at this stage of his career. It was about his relationship with the game, his love affair with the game, his leadership style, his desire to lead. Those were kind of the talking points, and all of those things were really aligned with our needs.”
The offensive line remains an area of focus. Left tackle Broderick Jones and right tackle Troy Fautanu have been working against top defensive talent during practices. Tomlin noted that practicing starters against starters has benefited player development: “Obviously, we’ve got some quality edge people, particularly in our first group defensively, guys like T.J., Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig,” he said. “Part of our approach to getting better is Steelers vs. Steelers, meaning we go good-on-good in team development… We’re a 1s vs. 1s, 2s vs. 2s type of a group.” He added regarding Jones and Fautanu’s progress: “They certainly have enough talent… Then their quality of play would be largely determined by their development, and that development requires reps and particularly reps vs. good people.”
Defensively, the Steelers have made several additions through trades and free agency to improve coverage capabilities in response to evolving league trends favoring passing offenses. Tomlin stated: “Particularly in today’s game, the passing game is such an evolving and major component of play… The weighty moments are often one-dimensional passing downs, so you better be able to cover and cover-extend in today’s game… It’s just a lot that’s going on in today’s game from a personnel and from a strategic standpoint that makes that a true statement from my perspective.”
The defense now features cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr., inside linebackers Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, safeties DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill as well as new depth on the defensive line after drafting Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black.
While some aspects remain consistent—such as Pittsburgh’s commitment to aggressive blitz schemes—Tomlin acknowledged there are tactical wrinkles being held back until regular season games begin: “Some things we’re just going to do what we do… We are a dog-rush team… But certain wrinkles that we are developing… we certainly may hold some of those things until regular season football…”
Tomlin expressed confidence in his defense’s potential: “I’ve been around some really elite defenses, and I believe we have the makeup to be that,” he said. “But elite defenses deliver world championships… I simply was saying I think we’ve got enough of the ingredients that we need to make that a goal of ours and not a dream…”
However, concerns persist about offensive line depth behind starters; questions also remain regarding receiving options beyond DK Metcalf if injuries occur or if young players such as Roman Wilson can emerge as reliable targets for Rodgers.
Rodgers has worked closely with Wilson during practices despite not appearing in either preseason contest so far; Wilson has recorded four catches for 96 yards across two games.
Roster decisions must be finalized by August 26 before regular season play begins September 7.
