Steelers Secure 31–25 Win Over Jaguars in Preseason Week 1; Key Takeaways and Standouts

Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Jacksonville Jaguars - 2025 Preseason Week 1

The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off their 2025 preseason with a 31-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, showcasing some of the optimism from my Preseason Week 1 Preview into fruition.

Mason Rudolph looked comfortable, completing 9 of 10 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown to Darnell Washington. It was a momentum shift that helped set the tone early.

Roman Wilson, returning after injury setbacks last year, grabbed two catches for 24 yards. His performance didn’t go unnoticed. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith confirmed it was earned through hard work, per Behind the Steel Curtain.

On defense, rookie Yahya Black made a splash in limited snaps, showing an ability to generate early pressure on the Jaguars’ quarterback, per Still Curtain. He will continue to show more and more development and potential as the preseason continues. From what it looks like, it seems as if Tomlin has plans for the rookie to learn under long-term veteran Cameron Heyward. 

The Steelers’ running game lagged, totaling just 66 yards on 25 carries (2.6 average). Improvements are needed as the camp progresses, per steelcurtain. 

One disappointment was that someone I had been closely monitoring stated in my preview was that Rookie Runningback Kaleb Johnson only ran for 20 yards on six carries. I'm sure his momentum will build up throughout preseason play; however, it was difficult to watch. 

The pass rush wasn’t as sharp without key starters like T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. No sacks and just a few QB hits indicate room to grow, per steelcurtain. 

Though starters mainly were resting, the performances from Rudolph, Wilson, and Black align with the optimism previewed earlier this week. With areas to improve in, especially the run game and pressure on the quarterback, the Steelers know where to focus in the coming preseason weeks.