In the Spotlight: Pittsburgh Steelers Begin a New Era in 2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter 2026 as defending AFC North champions but with one of the biggest organizational changes in decades. Pittsburgh went 10-7 last season and won its first division title since 2020 before suffering a 30-6 Wild Card loss to Houston. Mike Tomlin subsequently stepped down after 19 seasons, and former Packers and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy takes over. McCarthy is only Pittsburgh’s fourth head coach since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, and his arrival also reunites him with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

What to Watch

Rodgers is back for what could be his final NFL season. The four-time MVP re-signed on a one-year contract in May and sits atop a quarterback room that also includes Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and 2026 third-round pick Drew Allar. Pittsburgh also gave Rodgers additional help at receiver. DK Metcalf returns as the top target, while the Steelers added Michael Pittman Jr. and selected Germie Bernard in the second round. Rico Dowdle joins Jaylen Warren in the backfield. The defense remains loaded with recognizable names, including T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey and Joey Porter Jr. Newcomers Jamel Dean and Jaquan Brisker add even more experience to the secondary. The larger question is how quickly the Steelers adjust to McCarthy. New offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham give Pittsburgh a substantially different coaching structure after almost two decades under Tomlin.

Betting Outlook

Sportsbooks like FanDuel and bet365 aren’t convinced the defending division champions will repeat. DraftKings listed Pittsburgh at +510 to win the AFC North as of Aug. 1, behind Baltimore and Cincinnati. The Steelers were +2300 to win the AFC and +5000 to win the Super Bowl. The regular-season win total sits at 8.5, with Over 8.5 at +110 and Under 8.5 at -130. That’s notable considering Pittsburgh has exceeded its preseason win total in six consecutive seasons and hasn’t posted a losing record since 2003.

Key Team Details

• 2025 record: 10-7, first in AFC North.
• Key players to watch: Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Jaylen Warren, T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr. and Patrick Queen.
• Expected starting QB: Aaron Rodgers.
• Key signings and additions for 2026-27 season: Michael Pittman Jr., Rico Dowdle, Jamel Dean, Jaquan Brisker, Robert Tonyan, first-round OT Max Iheanachor, second-round WR Germie Bernard and third-round QB Drew Allar.
• Betting odds to win AFC North: +510.
• Betting odds to win AFC: +2300.
• Betting odds to win Super Bowl: +5000.
• Win totals over/under: 8.5 wins — Over +110 / Under -130.

2026-27 Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	TV
1	Sept. 13	vs. Atlanta Falcons	1:00 p.m.	FOX
2	Sept. 20	at New England Patriots	1:00 p.m.	CBS
3	Sept. 27	vs. Cincinnati Bengals	1:00 p.m.	CBS
4	Oct. 1	at Cleveland Browns	8:15 p.m.	Prime Video
5	Oct. 11	vs. Indianapolis Colts	1:00 p.m.	CBS
6	Oct. 18	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1:00 p.m.	CBS
7	Oct. 25	vs. New Orleans Saints (Paris)	9:30 a.m.	NFL Network
8	Nov. 1	vs. Cleveland Browns	1:00 p.m.	CBS
9	—	BYE	—	—
10	Nov. 15	at Cincinnati Bengals	8:20 p.m.	NBC
11	Nov. 22	at Philadelphia Eagles	4:25 p.m.	CBS
12	Nov. 27	vs. Denver Broncos	3:00 p.m.	Prime Video
13	Dec. 6	vs. Houston Texans	8:20 p.m.	NBC
14	Dec. 14	at Jacksonville Jaguars	8:15 p.m.	ESPN
15	Dec. 20	vs. Baltimore Ravens	1:00 p.m.	CBS
16	TBD	vs. Carolina Panthers	TBD	TBD
17	Jan. 3	at Tennessee Titans	1:00 p.m.	CBS
18	TBD	at Baltimore Ravens	TBD	TBD

The schedule includes Pittsburgh’s first regular-season game in Paris, a Friday matchup against Denver and a potentially decisive Week 18 trip to Baltimore.