The Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 2026 season begins in less than one week. A new chapter the organization will begin writing as Mike McCarthy replaces Mike Tomlin. As usual, I like to offer 10 thoughts of mine about the team\u2019s upcoming season. We\u2019ll revisit these feelings and predictions after the year to see what I got right \u2013 and, of course, what I got wrong.<\/p>\n
1. Aaron Rodgers\u2019 Continuity Will Be Felt<\/p>\n
To what degree is harder to say. But Aaron Rodgers returning as the team\u2019s first season opener repeat starter since Ben Roethlisberger in 2020 and 2021 has legitimate value. As does reuniting with Mike McCarthy. The rest of the offense is still working toward getting comfortable in the scheme, but when your quarterback and head coach are aligned, that\u2019s a positive.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also positive for DK Metcalf and Pat Freiermuth, two men who have played quarterback roulette for too long. That should result in quicker starts and an offense less conservative and more willing to push the ball downfield while utilizing all areas of the field. Even Freiermuth has joked that the middle of the field<\/a> is finally open for business.<\/p>\n Specifically, Pittsburgh finally ends its mind-blowing streak of failing to score more than seven points in the first quarter. A trend that\u2019s gone on for 67 games, dating back to Week 2 of the 2022 season.<\/p>\n 2. Pittsburgh\u2019s Offensive Line Will Have Early Growing Pains But Round Into Form<\/p>\n This is how Pittsburgh\u2019s offensive line has performed for several seasons. An ugly start followed by the unit hitting its stride midway through the year. With a group that\u2019s either moved around, entered new roles, or will be starting for the first time all under the guidance of a new offensive line coach.<\/p>\n The group is talented and there\u2019s reason for optimism, and the starters\u2019 preseason play wasn\u2019t as poor<\/a> as some made it out to be. Still, this group will take some time to get on solid footing. A favorable matchup against a depleted Atlanta Falcons front at least helps.<\/p>\n 3. The Run Defense Will Finish Top Ten<\/p>\n That\u2019s from a yards per carry allowed perspective. I debated pushing it to \u201cTop Five\u201d but that might be a touch too strong in terms of declarations. Run defense has been a disappointing spot the past two seasons, but there is good reason to think Pittsburgh returns to form. A defensive line hitting the right mix of veterans, rising youngsters, and rookies. Top to bottom, Pittsburgh has a group capable of stopping the run. Add sturdy EDGE rushers, a secondary willing to help, an inside linebacker duo that looks more aggressive, and a front-minded defensive coordinator, and this unit should be well above league average. At a minimum.<\/p>\n Pass rush from the defensive line is a different story. Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton can get after it. Everyone else is a question with the d-line mostly full of run stoppers. Of course, Pittsburgh will count on its EDGE rushers and more creative rush scheme to pick up the slack.<\/p>\n 4. The Takeaway Ranking\u2026Will Not<\/p>\n A longstanding concern of mine. Patrick Graham can do plenty well but his resume of producing takeaways is light. The culture simply doesn\u2019t feel as strong.<\/a><\/p>\n Since 2020, no team has forced as many turnovers as Pittsburgh. With 99, no team has as many interceptions, either. I\u2019m far from convinced Pittsburgh will finish in its normal top-five spot, and it might fall to league average. Perhaps other facets of the defense make up for it, but this is a central worry.<\/p>\n 5. Pat Freiermuth Returns To Form<\/p>\n Not the boldest prediction to make but one that feels certain given Arthur Smith\/Jonnu Smith\u2019s departure and the McCarthy hire. Rodgers and Freiermuth showed excellent chemistry this summer and count on Pittsburgh throwing over the middle far more often than before. I wouldn\u2019t be shocked if Freiermuth finishes second on the team in receptions in a return to a 60-65 catch season that looks similar to the ones he had pre-2025.<\/p>\n Darnell Washington, however, could struggle to replicate his 31-catch season from a year ago. Early returns indicate he\u2019s the one getting squeezed out.<\/p>\n 6. Wide Receiver Will Still Feel Incomplete<\/p>\n Is the wide receiver room better than a year ago? Yes. But how good is it really? On paper, it remains a bottom-third group leaguewide. I\u2019ve never been crazy about the Michael Pittman Jr. addition, Roman Wilson has struggled to transfer his play from practice to stadium action, and Germie Bernard doesn\u2019t yet have Aaron Rodgers\u2019 trust.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve maintained a concern over the unit\u2019s ability to consistently create explosive passing plays and its ability to reliably win versus man coverage. By year\u2019s end, the Steelers will still feel at least one receiver short of a strong starting trio.<\/p>\n 7. Kaden Wetjen Houses One Against The Ravens<\/p>\n Let\u2019s get specific with this one. Among my favorite 2026 storylines will be when the Steelers and Ravens get together for the first time in Week 15. Beyond the usual trimmings of what Steelers vs. Ravens looks like, especially with two new head coaches, I\u2019m all about the Kaden Wetjen versus Ryan Eckley storyline.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh drafted Wetjen as its ace returner while Baltimore picked Eckley as its new punter. In 2025, the two faced off when Wetjen\u2019s Iowa Hawkeyes played Eckley\u2019s Michigan State Spartans. Like Steelers versus Ravens, it was a nailbiter that came down to Iowa making a game-winning kick as time expired, but Wetjen played a critical role in the victory.<\/p>\n He averaged 49 yards on three punts highlighted by a 62-yard score off Eckley.<\/a> Eckley has a big leg but is known for outkicking his coverage. The two meet again to see who wins this matchup. I think Wetjen takes it again.<\/p>\n 8. Pittsburgh Won\u2019t Be As Strong In One-Score Games<\/p>\n Ideally, Pittsburgh wins games in less nail-biting fashion. But the on-paper look of the schedule coupled with the reality of tight divisional games makes it unlikely the Steelers will dominate by healthy margins. Mike Tomlin was the NFL\u2019s best coach in one-score games.<\/a> Mike McCarthy has positive marks there but even one or two tight losses is enough to change the course of a 17-game season.<\/p>\n My prediction is Pittsburgh finishes close to .500 in these games this year.<\/p>\n 9. The Secondary Will Feel Its Lack Of Early Reps<\/p>\n On paper, the Steelers have one of their best secondary units in years. Cornerback is especially deep. However, it\u2019s been hard to do anything more than project the talent of the unit. Joey Porter Jr. sat out the entire spring, training camp, and preseason before returning to practice last week. Jalen Ramsey missed camp with a knee injury. Jaquan Brisker and Brandin Echols also missed time while DeShon Elliott is out for at least the first month.<\/p>\n If the coaching staff and scheme were the same, the impact wouldn\u2019t be as severe. With a new system implemented, there could be plenty of rust to knock off early. A recipe for a slower start.<\/p>\n 10. A Special Teams Fake Draws A Big Reaction<\/p>\n