PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten off to a stellar 3-1 start in 2025, sitting atop the AFC North with one of the league’s best playoff odds. As the season unfolds, the Steelers are not just surprising everyone with their early success—they’re sparking debates about potential
MVP candidates and emerging superstars on their roster. From dominant defensive performances to a rejuvenated quarterback leading the offense, Pittsburgh’s future looks brighter than ever.
Patrick Queen: The Defensive Leader
Through the first four weeks, one name stands out as the Steelers’ team MVP, and it’s not who many might expect. Patrick Queen, the inside linebacker, has proven to be the heartbeat of Pittsburgh’s defense. His leadership and relentless energy have played a huge role in the Steelers’ elite defensive performances.
As highlighted by Steelers On SI reporter Jacob Punturi, Queen has been a standout player. He is tied for the team lead with Payton Wilson in tackles, with a total of 35 (22 individual and 13 assisted) across three games. Queen is on track to surpass
115 total tackles for the fourth straight season. His impact extends beyond the stat sheet, providing leadership and setting the tone for the defense.
“Over the first four weeks, his impact is showing up on the stat sheet and in other ways,” Punturi noted. Queen’s all-around performance has kept the Steelers’ defense on a championship-caliber path.
Aaron Rodgers: The Steelers’ NFL MVP Candidate
While Queen is dominating defensively, there’s another player whose MVP candidacy is drawing increasing attention. Aaron Rodgers, the 41-year-old quarterback, has defied the critics who doubted him when he arrived in Pittsburgh. Despite his age and the criticism surrounding his struggles over the past two years, Rodgers has proven he’s still one of the league’s top quarterbacks.
Rodgers has led the Steelers to a 3-1 start and has been instrumental in their offensive resurgence. He’s tied for the fourth-most passing touchdowns in the league, showing that he can still light up the scoreboard. “Rodgers is the heart and soul of this team,” said
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. His leadership on and off the field has pushed the Steelers into playoff contention early in the season. Right now, Rodgers is only trailing Josh Allen in the MVP race, but given his performance, he may very well make a push for his fifth MVP award.
Nick Herbig: A New Superstar Emerging
On the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers are witnessing the rise of a new
superstar in Nick Herbig. The outside linebacker has stepped into a prominent role, and his performance has been nothing short of spectacular. His ability to rush the passer and disrupt the opposing offense has made him an essential part of Pittsburgh’s defensive lineup.
With Alex Highsmith likely returning from injury, the Steelers now face a fascinating decision: how to best utilize their three talented outside linebackers—Herbig, Highsmith, and T.J. Watt
. The combination of these three could be one of the most lethal pass-rushing units in the NFL. “It’s not about benching anyone,” said Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. “It’s about finding ways to get all three of them on the field at the same time. That’s a game-changer for us.”
Looking Ahead
The Steelers are facing a pivotal stretch in the 2025 season, but with standout performances from Rodgers, Queen, and Herbig, they’re poised to continue their dominance in the AFC. If Rodgers keeps up his MVP-level play and the defense continues to improve with Herbig’s growth, the Steelers could be contenders in the postseason.
With high expectations building, the Steelers are emerging as one of the most exciting teams in the league. And if they can continue to develop their rising stars while maintaining the strong leadership from Rodgers and Queen, Pittsburgh could very well be headed for a deep playoff run.
Vikings Get Huge Boost as $23 Million Star Returns for Eagles Matchup
The Minnesota Vikings have trudged through a slog of injuries through the early portion of the season, and some meaningful players will finally return in Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Among the most important names back on the active roster this weekend belongs to linebacker Blake Cashman, who has appeared in just one game this season. Cashman strained his hamstring against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 and has sat out since.
“Cashman, who suffered a hamstring injury while chasing Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to the sideline in Week 1, is expected to start Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium,” Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported on Saturday, October 18.
Blake Cashman Hugely Important to Vikings’ Success Since Joining Team Before Last Season
GettyLinebacker Blake Cashman of Minnesota Vikings.
Cashman came to Minnesota ahead of the 2024 campaign after a two-year stint with the Houston Texans that followed three seasons with the New York Jets to begin his NFL career.
Since joining the Vikings, Cashman’s health has been a strong barometer for the success of not only the defense, but the team as a whole. Seifert noted that the team is 13-1 in games Cashman starts, but has just a .500 record without him (4-4).
Cashman led the team in tackles last season with 112 total (68 solo) across 14 games played. He added eight tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Including 2025, the 29-year-old has two seasons remaining on his three-year, $22.5 million contract with Minnesota.
Andrew Van Ginkel Out Against Eagles, While J.J. McCarthy to Serve as Emergency QB
GettyOutside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel of the Minnesota Vikings.
Cashman is technically questionable for the contest Sunday, as is quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, the Vikings have already announced that Carson Wentz will start his fourth consecutive game in place of the second-year pro.
Meanwhile, undrafted rookie signal-caller Max Brosmer will be the backup quarterback, while McCarthy will return in a role as QB3/emergency quarterback.
“He got a ton of reps this week, both with the [first] group and also with getting some really good reps with that look team of feeling the rush of [Jonathan] Greenard, [Dallas] Turner, [Javon] Hargrave, [Jonathan] Allen and really working on some things that are starting to come to fruition,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said of McCarthy.
Entirely absent from the active roster will be edge rusher/outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
Van Ginkel remains sidelined with a neck injury he suffered in Week 3. Minnesota had an early bye week after back-to-back games overseas (Dublin, London) in Weeks 4 and 5, so Van Ginkel will miss his third contest on Sunday rather than his fourth.
He was a breakout addition to the Vikings’ defense in 2024, earning a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All Pro honors following a season in which he produced 18 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two interceptions, a forced fumble and two defensive touchdowns.
The good news for Minnesota’s defense, beyond getting Cashman back, is that the Eagles have struggled offensively this season and come to town in Week 7 on the heels of two straight losses, in which they’ve put up just 17 points both times.
