Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Mike Tomlin’s 19-year run without a losing season ended with his departure this offseason, replaced by Mike McCarthy, the Pittsburgh native who won a Super Bowl with Green Bay and later coached Dallas. McCarthy’s history with Aaron Rodgers, whom he coached for a decade with the Packers, played a direct role in Rodgers returning for one more year rather than retiring. Training camp is underway at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and the early sessions have shown a program with a distinctly different rhythm than the Tomlin era, from morning practice times to McCarthy’s signature “Mojo Moment” situational drills.
McCarthy’s offense, built around an older Rodgers
McCarthy has been clear that his offense will be shaped around what Rodgers can still do at 42, rather than asking him to replicate his MVP-level arm from a decade ago. Rodgers posted a career-low 5.8 air yards per attempt in 2025, and early camp reps suggest a similar quick-strike approach, with red-zone touchdown passes to DK Metcalf and steady chemistry building with tight end Robert Tonyan. The Steelers invested heavily in weapons around him this offseason, trading for and extending receiver Michael Pittman Jr., signing running back Rico Dowdle and adding first-round tackle Max Iheanachor and second-round receiver Germie Bernard in the draft. Third-year receiver Roman Wilson, a healthy scratch for much of last season, has drawn unprompted praise from both Rodgers and Metcalf for his spring performance and is being used all over the formation.
An aging defense with no notable additions
Pittsburgh returns nine of its 10 leading tacklers from a defense that ranked 17th in points allowed and 26th in yards allowed last season, propped up by forcing 27 turnovers, fourth most in the league. Core veterans T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Jalen Ramsey are all 31 or older, and the team didn’t add significant defensive reinforcements in free agency or the draft, instead banking on continued development from 2024 first-round pick Derrick Harmon and edge rusher Nick Herbig, who has increased his sack total in each of his three seasons. Ramsey has drawn Hall of Fame comparisons for his versatility, and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is expected to use him more in the slot after he played all over the secondary last season out of necessity.
Porter’s contract standoff and the offensive line shuffle
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. opened camp on the physically unable to perform list with a back issue while he waits on a contract extension, a situation complicated by Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon also seeking a new deal around the league. Asante Samuel Jr. has taken advantage of the extra reps, stringing together pass breakups through the first two weeks of camp. Up front, first-round rookie Max Iheanachor has impressed as the second-team right tackle behind projected starter Dylan Cook, while 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones continues working his way back from offseason neck surgery, a situation the team will monitor closely into the regular season.
The backup quarterback battle behind Rodgers
With Rodgers entrenched as the starter and rookie Drew Allar all but locked in as the No. 3 option, the competition for the QB2 job comes down to second-year passer Will Howard, who missed most of his rookie season on injured reserve, against veteran Mason Rudolph, who has 19 career starts. McCarthy has never opened a season with four quarterbacks on the active roster but hasn’t ruled it out this year, saying all four could be part of the 53-man conversation. Rodgers has said he expects to play in both of Pittsburgh’s home preseason games as he builds chemistry with his new weapons.
Full 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers scheduleWeekDateOpponentTime (ET)TV1Sun, Sept. 13vs. Atlanta Falcons1 p.m.FOX2Sun, Sept. 20at New England Patriots1 p.m.CBS3Sun, Sept. 27vs. Cincinnati Bengals1 p.m.CBS4Thu, Oct. 1at Cleveland Browns8:15 p.m.Prime Video5Sun, Oct. 11vs. Indianapolis Colts1 p.m.CBS6Sun, Oct. 18at Tampa Bay Buccaneers1 p.m.CBS7Sun, Oct. 25vs. New Orleans Saints (Paris)9:30 a.m.NFL Network8Sun, Nov. 1vs. Cleveland Browns1 p.m.CBS9—BYE——10Sun, Nov. 15at Cincinnati Bengals8:20 p.m.NBC11Sun, Nov. 22at Philadelphia Eagles4:25 p.m.CBS12Fri, Nov. 27vs. Denver Broncos3 p.m.Prime Video13Sun, Dec. 6vs. Houston Texans8:20 p.m.NBC14Mon, Dec. 14at Jacksonville Jaguars8:15 p.m.ESPN/ABC15Sun, Dec. 20vs. Baltimore Ravens1 p.m.CBS16TBDvs. Carolina PanthersTBDTBD17Sun, Jan. 3at Tennessee Titans1 p.m.CBS18TBDat Baltimore RavensTBDTBD
Pittsburgh’s preseason opens at home against Green Bay on Aug. 13, followed by a home game against the Jets and a trip to Buffalo.
Steelers odds and best bets for 2026
At BetRivers, Pittsburgh is priced to win the Super Bowl, with the market split on whether McCarthy’s first season delivers a return to the postseason or a step back after last year’s AFC North title.
MarketSelectionOddsSuper Bowl winnerPittsburgh Steelers+6600To make the playoffsYes+160To make the playoffsNo-200Regular-season win totalOver 8.5+110Regular-season win totalUnder 8.5-134AFC North finishFirst place+550Aaron Rodgers 25+ passing TDs & Steelers AFC North winnerYes+1200Rico Dowdle 1,000+ rushing yards & Steelers to reach the playoffsYes+650DK Metcalf & Michael Pittman Jr. each 1,000+ receiving yardsYes+875
Odds via BetRivers as of publication. Check RG.org’s NFL sportsbooks hub throughout the season for updated lines and matchup previews.
Steelers odds for Canadian bettors
For bettors in Canada, Stake also carries a full Steelers market, listed here in decimal odds.
MarketSelectionOddsSuper Bowl winnerPittsburgh Steelers51.00To reach the playoffsYes2.45To reach the playoffsNo1.57Regular-season win totalOver 8.52.00Regular-season win totalUnder 8.51.82AFC North finishing positionFirst place6.00
Odds via Stake as of publication and subject to change.
Final outlook
Pittsburgh is betting that continuity at quarterback and a familiar face in McCarthy can offset a defense that’s aging without much reinforcement behind it. The additions around Rodgers give this offense more juice than last season’s screen-heavy approach, and a QB2 competition and Porter’s contract situation are worth monitoring through the rest of camp. With a first-place schedule after last year’s division title and legitimate questions about how much longer Watt, Heyward and Ramsey can carry the defense, a return trip to nine wins and another quick playoff exit looks like the realistic range of outcomes, with real downside risk if Rodgers or the pass rush slips.