With the major NFL offseason events behind us and rosters coming to form, we've entered the season of early predictions. Following the NFL schedule release, I shared my game-by-game predictions for the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers' season. Now we are already beginning to see early playoff predictions... and the Steelers aren't earning any respect.
On Thursday, Lou Scataglia of NFL Spin Zone predicted the seeding of the seven AFC teams he believes are playoff-bound this year. The Steelers were not among them.
Scataglia has the Buffalo Bills claiming the number one seed and lone first-round bye in the AFC playoffs. Playoff seeds No. 2-4 are followed by division winners in the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos, respectively. This bold prediction includes the Kansas City Chiefs playing from a Wild Card spot as the fifth seed, and is rounded out with the LA Chargers (No. 6) and Cincinnati Bengals (No. 7).
Some would argue that the Steelers should be included in the playoff race, likely as one of the final Wild Card seeds. This franchise hasn't finished the season with a losing record in over 20 years, and their perennial competitive toughness suggests they will at least be in the race.
But, if we're being honest with ourselves, it's not hard to see why the Pittsburgh Steelers could fall short of a playoff spot in 2025.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' dismal QB situation makes playoff prediction painfully realistic
Most inside NFL circles believe that Aaron Rodgers will be the starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2025 season when it's all said and done, but that's hardly a guarantee. Team president Art Rooney II noted that the Steelers can only wait 'a little while longer' for the Rodgers situation during the NFL owners' meeting.
However, even if Rodgers is the quarterback leading the charge, it's not guaranteed to result in a playoff berth. The 41-year-old led the New York Jets to a dismal 4-13 record last season and has done his best to stay away from football this offseason.
Rodgers will turn 42 during the 2025 season, and after learning a new offense and getting acclimated to his new teammates, he might not be able to turn things around fast enough, especially with the grueling schedule down the stretch for Pittsburgh this year.
Since the final years of Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers have only done enough to keep their head above water, and this year will be no different. This team is entering nightmare territory at quarterback, and it's easy to see why they aren't being counted among the seven potential playoff teams in the AFC in 2025.