The Pittsburgh Steelers may have wrapped up the 2024 season with a respectable 10-7 record, but let’s be honest—momentum alone won’t be enough heading into 2025. Head coach Mike Tomlin enters another critical campaign with a reshuffled roster, lingering positional questions, and no clear-cut starter at quarterback.
If the season started tomorrow, it’d be tough to feel confident about this team’s chances. Thankfully, we’ve got time. Time to improve, get healthy, and—hopefully— for the 2025 NFL schedule to fall in Pittsburgh’s favor.
With CBS Sports ranking the Steelers' 2025 strength of schedule as the 10th toughest in the league (opponents combined for a 152-137 record in 2024), every bit of help from the schedule layout matters.
Here’s a look at the best-case scenarios for the Steelers’ schedule release that could help pave the path toward another playoff push:
The Pittsburgh Steelers could have a shocking season with help from the 2025 NFL schedule makers
3. Weaker Defenses Early in the Season
Let’s not sugarcoat it: this offense is still a work in progress. Arthur Smith takes over the offensive reins, and we still don’t know who will lead the unit under center—Mason Rudolph? Will Howard? A surprise addition?
Either way, this isn’t a group that can afford to face elite defenses right out of the gate. Facing the likes of the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, or even the Minnesota Vikings in Weeks 1-4 could bury the Steelers before they ever find their rhythm. Early-season confidence matters, especially for a team looking to establish a new identity.
Ideally, the Steelers open the season against beatable defenses—teams like the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, or Seattle Seahawks—giving the offense time to gel. Winning a couple of early games could be the spark this new-look squad needs to believe in itself.
2. Avoiding Back-to-Back NFC North Matchups
The NFC North is no joke anymore. Three of its teams made the playoffs last season, and the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions all look poised for competitive runs. Facing any of them is tough—facing them back-to-back could be brutal.
For a young Steelers roster still finding its footing, getting stuck in a stretch of consecutive games against physical NFC North teams would be asking for trouble—mentally, physically, and emotionally. The cold weather, tough stadiums, and aggressive play styles can take a toll.
Spacing these games out would allow the Steelers to regroup, adjust, and stay healthy. In a season where player development and roster depth are so important, avoiding a stacked gauntlet could be the difference between surviving and spiraling.
1. A Home Stretch to End the Season
Here’s where things could swing in Pittsburgh’s favor: finishing the season at Acrisure Stadium.
Mike Tomlin’s home record of 109-42-1 is proof that the Steelers thrive on their home turf. In 2024, half of the team’slate-season collapse came on the road. Closing 2025 with a string of home games could provide the energy, confidence, and crowd support necessary to finish strong.
With playoff spots often coming down to one or two final matchups, playing in front of the Terrible Towel-waving faithful could make all the difference. For a team in the middle of a slow rebuild, building momentum at the end of the year could set the tone for years to come.
The Steelers’ 2025 journey won’t be easy, but if the schedule release breaks their way in just a few of these key areas, it could provide the early edge they need to navigate what’s shaping up to be a tough season. They may be rebuilding, but this team can still fight for postseason relevance.
And as any Steelers fan knows, Mike Tomlin doesn’t do tanking. He builds.