MarkBark
RankingsPredictionsTeamsArticles
← All Teams
PIT

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers

0-0Power Rank#180

AI Summary

Pittsburgh enters 2026 in a genuinely new era: Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 seasons following a wild-card loss to Houston, and the Steelers hired Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy, who reunites with 42-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers from their Green Bay days. Rodgers has already said this will be the final season of his career, and the offense around him got a notable facelift with a trade for WR Michael Pittman Jr. and free-agent additions Rico Dowdle (RB) and Robert Tonyan (TE), joining holdovers DK Metcalf and CB-turned-defensive-cornerstone Jalen Ramsey. Despite the star power, oddsmakers remain skeptical of a team that nearly missed the playoffs last year — early power rankings have Pittsburgh around 18th with a win total near 8.5, and camp has already been shadowed by Joey Porter Jr.'s back injury and a still-unsettled receiver room.

Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026

Key Storylines

  • First-year HC Mike McCarthy replaces Mike Tomlin (resigned after 19 seasons) and reunites with QB Aaron Rodgers, his starter for 13 years in Green Bay
  • Aaron Rodgers, 42, says 2026 will be the final season of his career as he installs McCarthy's West Coast offense
  • Traded for WR Michael Pittman Jr. from the Colts and signed RB Rico Dowdle and TE Robert Tonyan in an uncharacteristically aggressive offseason
  • RB1 competition still open between returning starter Jaylen Warren and newcomer Rico Dowdle, with Kaleb Johnson behind them
  • Preseason power rankings and betting markets (win total ~8.5) are skeptical, with some books favoring the under on Pittsburgh's first losing season since 2003

Injury Report

  • Joey Porter Jr. · CB

    PUP

    Opened training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a back injury that reportedly flared up during camp; no firm return timeline given, and he is also seeking a contract extension.

  • DK Metcalf · WR

    Limited/DNP

    Missed practice time after getting banged up during a training camp session; injury undisclosed, and McCarthy has downplayed it as not a major concern.