Three Hidden X-Components For Steelers’ Offense In 2025

Across the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense, there are some big-name players. From Aaron Rodgers to DK Metcalf and Broderick Jones, several players will be making a significant impact on the year, whether they play well or not.

However, there are a few under-the-radar names across this unit. With plenty of chemistry still needing to be developed, it’s going to be a team effort for the Steelers’ offense to be successful. That means Pittsburgh will need good performances from some players who don’t have such high expectations. If the Steelers can get those performances from these three players, they’ll be in good shape.

Kenneth Gainwell

In a Steelers offense spearheaded at running back by Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Warren, Gainwell hasn’t gotten a ton of attention. It makes sense with him being the third running back, but he could be a nice outlet for Aaron Rodgers.

Although he’s a running back, Gainwell has made a decent amount of his production through the years as a pass-catcher. Through his four-year career, he has 1,185 rushing yards on 280 attempts. As a receiver, he’s caught 102 passes for 721 yards. Looking at the Steelers’ offense this year, he’ll probably make most of his impact as a receiver. Johnson was a workhorse in college, and should get a good workload in an offense he’s a terrific fit for. And the Steelers already know what they have in Warren.

For Aaron Rodgers, specifically, Gainwell could be a nice outlet in passing situations. Rodgers turns 42 this year and certainly doesn’t move as well as he used to. He’s also playing behind an offensive line that has potential but remains unproven. Last year, Rodgers was reluctant to hold onto the ball for too long and used his check-downs often.

We know Rodgers likes to target his backs at this point in his career. With the New York Jets in 2024, Breece Hall saw 76 targets, and Braelon Allen had 27. Gainwell himself only saw 22 last year with the Philadelphia Eagles. But he was used differently. Gainwell’s average depth of target (ADOT) was 1.0 last year, while Hall’s was 0.2, and Allen’s was -0.2. Gainwell had 0.5 yards before catch per reception (YBC/R), while Hall’s was -0.2 and Allen’s was -0.8.

These numbers could mean that Gainwell and all the running backs could get more opportunities in the passing game in the Steelers’ offense. The numbers show that Rodgers was targeting Hall and Allen more often than Gainwell was targeted by a decent amount. However, Gainwell was running his routes down the field, while Hall and Allen were catching most of their passes at the line of scrimmage. Gainwell has talent after the catch, so if he gets more opportunities like that, he could really make an impact.

Mason McCormick

There are many variables across the Steelers’ offensive line. One that needs to be worked out is Mason McCormick. The fourth-round rookie was thrust into action in the third week of the 2024 season and went on to have a surprisingly solid year. This was even more impressive considering most of his collegiate career had him playing left guard, but McCormick was able to work his way into a full-time role at right guard.

The Steelers’ biggest question marks on the offensive line are at tackle, in Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu. Yet, they obviously need to be strong up the middle. With an aging quarterback behind them in Rodgers, any immediate pressure up the middle will derail things.

Considering everything, he did have a solid 2024 season, although it wasn’t spectacular. Pro Football Focus ranked him 87th of 136 eligible guards, with a 63.2 pass-blocking grade and a 53.7 run-blocking grade. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but McCormick was reliable when the Steelers needed him to be. From Weeks 4 to 17, McCormick was on the field for every single offensive snap.

He’s already receiving some praise this summer, but the Steelers need McCormick to improve from his rookie season. The tackles are a big question already. Pittsburgh needs to be strong up the middle, which they already look to be with Zach Frazier and Isaac Seumalo. If McCormick can hold up his end of things, it will go a long way towards keeping Rodgers upright throughout the year, which is something the Steelers’ offense desperately needs.

Spencer Anderson

Depending on how things play out, Spencer Anderson could be one of the most influential players on the Steelers’ offense.

Jones is moving back to left tackle, where the Steelers hope their former first-round pick can finally find a home. At right tackle is Fautanu, who was kept out of action due to injuries for nearly his entire rookie season. Counting on those two protecting the edge for Rodgers could work. But it’s far from a sure thing.

Waiting in the wings is Spencer Anderson, who can play every position on the offensive line. If someone goes down with an injury or struggles with poor play, Anderson will be thrown into the mix. He quietly held a decent role last year, 310 snaps in a season in which most Steelers fans seemed to forget about him. However, last year, the offensive line as a whole was bludgeoned by injuries. If a similar thing happens this year, Anderson will be a name you’ll hear often.

The 2023 seventh-round pick has already shown some promise, but just hasn’t gotten much of a chance. That could change this year, with the offensive line being so important due to Rodgers’ age. Depending on how things go, whether it be injury or poor play, Anderson could have a large role this year. He could even be one of the most important parts of the Steelers’ offense.