When the 2025 season ends, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to make a decision about which direction they want go in.
Depending on how things go the rest of this campaign, the Steelers could decide to blow it up and begin a rebuild, which is long overdue after years of average-at-best play.
Or, Pittsburgh could decide to stay in neutral and continue trying to compete with its aged roster that isn't showing much promise in 2025.
If the Steelers at least take a step in the direction of the rebuild approach, Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon could see Pittsburgh trading superstar edge rusher T.J. Watt, who he named the Steelers' most valuable offseason trade chip.
Hear me out here. Pittsburgh may be entering at least a mini rebuild, especially if Aaron Rodgers retires, and Watt is probably beyond his prime at 31. The team can save at least $12 million by dealing him away, and the Steelers have plenty of other younger edge-rushing weapons in Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer.
Given his age and massive contract, trading Watt would make sense if the Steelers do decide to tear it all down.
And given the value of Watt's position and his elite talent, the Steelers would get quite the return for the seven-time Pro Bowler, which would help kickstart the reshaping of a roster that desperately need an infusion of young talent.
But the only way the Steelers move toward a rebuild is if head coach Mike Tomlin is no longer with the team. We know full well that Tomlin is not going to have any desire to start from scratch.
Right now, there is no indication the Steelers are going to part ways with Tomlin, even if Pittsburgh fails to win a playoff game for the ninth-straight season.
However, if things change and the Steelers hit the reset button, Tomlin and Watt could be elsewhere in 2026.
More NFL news:
- Will Campbell makes bold Drake Maye proclamation after Jets win
- Bills named possible landing spot for former $110 million defender
- Xavier Worthy injury update leaves Chiefs WR's Week 11 status in question
- Sam LaPorta Thursday injury update means it's time to be worried
- Chris Jones lobbies for Chiefs to bring back former draft pick
- Lamar Jackson injury update is huge news for Ravens