With the NFL season right around the corner, the Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a new chapter in the franchise’s illustrious history. With the team bringing in a new head coach for the first time since 2007, new expectations ensue. Could this be the year the Steelers finally break their losing streak in the playoffs? Will they win back-to-back AFC North titles since 2016-2017?
Steelers’ 2025 Recap
Last offseason, Pittsburgh made a move that left some fans and NFL analysts scratching their heads: the signing of Aaron Rodgers. That was the ultimate “win now” move in an attempt to remain competitive in the division and contend for a playoff spot. After an up-and-down regular season, Pittsburgh would find themselves in a win, and you reclaim the AFC North for the first time since 2020 during their Week 17 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers would go on to defeat the Ravens and host the Houston Texans in the Wildcard Round, their first home playoff game since 2020. Despite the game being 7-6 entering the final frame, the Texans’ defense dominated the fourth quarter, 23-0, and knocked off the Steelers, extending their losing streak to six straight playoff games.
Offseason Turnaround
Long-time head coach Mike Tomlin would step down as the team’s head coach. Pittsburgh did a clean sweep of their coaching staff and brought in former Green Bay Packers and Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike McCarthy to lead the next iteration of the team. After signing the team’s next head coach, they needed to address the quarterback position, with Rodgers being a free agent and the team drafting Will Howard in the 2025 and Drew Allar in the 2026 NFL drafts.
The four-time MVP would return to the Steelers on a one-year contract to finish out his career. Some find it head-scratching because of the inability to look into the future and go younger at the most important position in the NFL. However, with McCarthy in the building as their coach, Rodgers could help develop the young guys they have in the locker room to learn how to run McCarthy’s offense and get better as they will get their opportunity in the 2027 season.
Expectations for the Steelers
The Steelers have the 14th-ranked easiest schedule in the NFL this upcoming season, based on their opponents’ winning percentage last season (.495). Their schedule doesn’t get difficult until Week 10-15. In that stretch, they will face five straight playoff teams, including three division winners and their archrival Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh should be able to rack up wins before that hellacious stretch.
Much like the last five seasons, the Steelers appear to have a cap on the 9-10 win range, a clear above-average team in the NFL, but not one that is in the running to contend for a Super Bowl. With the changing of the tide and bringing in new coaching, I expect this team to improve.
Some of their offseason acquisitions include receiver Michael Pittman Jr., running back Rico Dowdle, defensive backs Darnell Savage, Jamel Dean, and Jaquan Brisker, and bolstering their defensive line with defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph Day. All should have a positive impact on this team. Their NFL Draft class is filled with potential as well as with OT Max Iheanachor, WR Germie Bernard, QB Drew Allar, CB Daylen Everette, and OG Gennings Dunker.
Wins and Losses
With most teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season will be about wins and losses, not about how they appear to look under a new head coach. The two divisions they will be going against this season will be the AFC and the NFC South. On the high end, this team has the potential to go 13-5 and win the AFC North. On the low end, or the floor, this is an 8-10 team. There are too many “bad teams” on their schedule to have one of the worst records in the NFL, but an 8-win season would be the definition of a season from hell.
There is too much talent on this roster to be subpar. With future Hall of Famers like TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Aaron Rodgers leading the helm, I see the Steelers hovering around the 10-11 win range. They should sweep the Browns, beat the Saints, Falcons, and Titans, and split with the Bengals and Ravens. That’s seven wins right there. I don’t think it’s out of the question that they squeeze out wins against the Buccaneers, Colts, Patriots, Panthers, and Jaguars either. There’s your 10 wins.
Final Thoughts
As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, I can’t wait until the NFL season begins. Their season begins at home against the Atlanta Falcons on September 13th. What are your expectations for Pittsburgh? Can they win the AFC North for the second consecutive season, or is this the year they fall below .500 for the first time since 2003?
As always, thank you so much for checking out my thoughts on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ expectations entering the 2026 season! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! Thank you for making us part of your day, and look forward to seeing you again soon.
