The Steelers faced a tough free agency reality check after their loss to the Ravens

No playoff representative for the 2024 season fell worse than Pittsburgh Steelers. The franchise ends the season losing five straight games, but the fifth cost them the season. Plus serves up a fierce reality check moving forward on the free agency side.

The Baltimore Ravens have done more than catch up to the Steelers and take the AFC North ahead of them. The Steelers’ bitter rival watched Baltimore end its season 28-14 at M&T Stadium on Saturday. It’s also the head coach’s fifth straight postseason loss Mike Tomlinwho hasn’t taken Pittsburgh beyond a first-round game since the 2016 AFC Championship Game.

The 10-8 Steelers now enter a murky offseason. There are a number of notable starters who may be cleaning out their lockers from the Steelers, for good.

The Steelers face tough free agency decisions after losing the Ravens

Pittsburgh has a long list of names that will be in free agencywith ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter breaking down who’s who in the Steelers’ 2025 free agency class.

“Key Steelers free agents this offseason: quarterback Russell Wilson, QB Justin Fields, running back Naji Harris, offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr., cornerback Donte Jackson, running back Mike Williams, running back Van Jefferson, running back Elandon Roberts, running back James Daniels, safety Damontae Kazee, tight end MyCole Pruitt, CB Cameron Sutton, CB Si Jay Henderson and Jay Nate Herbig,” Schefter shared.

That’s 14 different names that will hit the market from the Steel City. And that includes the KB room, which the Steelers aggressively addressed in the offseason a year ago.

Wilson landed via free agency. Fields arrived in a trade to the Chicago Bears. Kenny Pickett was left behind and disbanded in the process. Now Tomlin and the Steelers may have to hit the reset button behind center again.

It’s not all about the offense, though. Najee Harris looks like one Pro Bowler on the way out. He hasn’t topped 1,100 yards rushing since his rookie season. Williams and Jefferson remodel the VR room with their pending departures.

Jackson is likely to draw a lot of attention on the market. He just had a career-best five interceptions.

Franchise holds more than $52.3 million indoors ahead of the offseason, according to Over The Cap. But it doesn’t look like half of these free agents will return, as most will attract significant attention on the market.