What to expect from the Steelers for 2026
The Steelers begin the post-Mike Tomlin era when they host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday but not much has changed for the team in regards to oddsmakers’ opinions on where they’ll finish in the standings.
In its first year under Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh is considered around an eight-or-nine win team with only a slight chance to qualify for the playoffs.
Will the Steelers’ long streak of non-losing seasons end now that Tomlin is gone? Or will it be the other extreme, where under McCarthy, Pittsburgh not only reaches the postseason but actually wins a playoff game?
Following is a breakdown of my thoughts on them for the 2026 season.
QUARTERBACK: Aaron Rodgers should be given more respect than he’s gotten. He was a definite upgrade at the position in 2025. Yeah, he’s 42 now but I see him as an above-average quarterback in the league with a better group of receivers this year. Grade: B+
RUNNING BACK: Jaylen Warren is listed as the starter but Rico Dowdle will take over that spot eventually. Dowdle has rushed for over 1,000 yards the past two seasons for Dallas and Carolina. A physical, north-south runner who’s bigger and a year older (28) than Warren, he also had 39 receptions last year. Warren is still a solid back. They should make a good, if not great, tandem. Grade: B-
WIDE RECEIVER: Former Colt Michael Pittman Jr. has been hampered by injuries in training camp and he and Rodgers can’t possibly be on the same page yet because of that. By the end of the season, though, he’ll be Rodgers’ top target. D.K. Metcalf was alright despite missing two games because he punched a fan in the stands and he dropped a potential game-changing long touchdown pass in the Steelers’ playoff loss to Houston. He’s still the bigger home run threat than Pittman. The two give Rodgers a legitimate one-two punch at the position. A key will be if Pittsburgh can get significant production from a third receiver, either Roman Wilson, who has failed to live up to his potential so far, or rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard. Wilson seems to have gotten on Rodgers’ good side so hopefully some of his talent will finally shine through. Grade: B
TIGHT END: The Steelers are solid here with Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, along with Robert Tonyan. Grade: A
OFFENSIVE LINE: Former Mountaineer Zach Frazier is a top-tier center but otherwise there are questions. Troy Fautanu mans the important left tackle spot and he’ll have to step up for this group to be successful. Sooner or later first-round pick Max Iheanachor, with a very high ceiling, will work his way into the starting lineup, but for now the other tackle is Dylan Cook, with Mason McCormick and Spencer Anderson at guard. Grade: C
DEFENSIVE LINE: Cam Heyward will try to squeeze out another productive season at age 37 with talented Derrick Harmon as the other end and Keeanu Benton at nose tackle. The Steelers should be strong up front. Grade: A-
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER: Even with T.J. Watt clearly past his prime, Pittsburgh still boasts a talented, deep group of edge rushers with him, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer. Grade: A
INSIDE LINEBACKER: Veteran Patrick Queen and third-year man Payton Wilson lead the way here with Cole Holcomb set to see a lot of playing time as well. OK but nothing special. Grade: C+
CORNERBACK: Is Joey Porter Jr. one of the top five corners in the NFL? No. Would the Steelers defense struggle without him in the lineup? Definitely. Porter’s contract status is still up in the air as he seeks an extension with the opener looming. Jamel Dean was a good, veteran addition from Tampa Bay on the other side. Asante Samuel Jr. and rookie Daylen Everette behind those two make for an above-average room. Assuming Porter doesn’t hold out … Grade: B
SAFETY: Former Bear Jaquan Brisker will play an important role here at free safety with Rayshawn Jenkins at strong safety for now. Jalen Ramsey, now 31, is the nickel back. This group will make a big leap once DeShon Elliott (on IR) returns for Week 5. But for now … Grade: C+
SPECIAL TEAMS: Chris Boswell is still one of the top kickers in the league and Cameron Johnston is a reliable veteran punter. Rookie Kaden Wetjen showed he could be a difference maker in the return game when he brought a punt back 45 yards for a touchdown in the Steelers’ preseason finale against Buffalo. Grade: B+
COACHING: Tomlin was more of a players coach than McCarthy and, although many like to make light of the accomplishment because of a lack of postseason success, his streak of non-losing seasons is actually extremely impressive. The key here is the coaching staff under Tomlin was lacking greatly, in fact it was one of the worst group of assistant coaches in the NFL. Although it’s hard to judge what impact the group that McCarthy brought in will have on the team, the thought here is that it has to be an improvement on what was there prior. Grade: B
PROGNOSIS: The more things change the more they stay the same. The Steelers will be a good team under McCarthy, but so will the Bills, Ravens, Chargers, Patriots, Broncos, Texans, Chiefs, Jaguars, Colts and Bengals. That’s a crowded field and Pittsburgh would need to beat out four of those to reach the postseason. Just can’t see that happening. No playoffs and 9-8 for the Steelers in 2025.
Rob Burchianti is sports editor of the 无毛视频-Standard and can be reached at rburchianti@heraldstandard.com