The Pittsburgh Steelers felt confident that Aaron Rodgers would be their quarterback for the 2026 season; now he is. Like last year, the four-time MVP waited until after the NFL Draft and the schedule release to join the team. But he's here now, and the 42-year-old is gearing up for one last ride at a playoff run.
Rodgers' presence may have been expected, but now that he's officially with the organization on a one-year deal, we have a clearer picture of how the season could unfold. Last year, Rodgers strung together respectable raw stats (3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, 7 interceptions), but the advanced metrics told a different story.
Regardless of his decline and a lack of explosive play ability, the Steelers have a better roster on paper this year, and Mike McCarthy should be an instant improvement as the team's offensive play-caller over Arthur Smith.
But will it matter in the end? Based on Rodgers' return, the Steelers' new-look roster, and the projected strength of each opponent, I took a stab at predicting every game on the Steelers' 2026 regular-season schedule.
Predicting every game on the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 regular-season schedule
Week 1: Steelers vs. Falcons
Prediction: Win (1-0)
The Steelers are 7-0-1 all-time at home against the Falcons, and Atlanta had a losing record last season. Meanwhile, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from an ACL injury, and Tua Tagovailoa is his backup. This is a home game for Pittsburgh and a favorable Week 1 draw against an 8-9 opponent from last season.
Week 2: Steelers @Patriots
Prediction: Loss (1-1)
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers took down the Patriots in Week 3 last season, but it took a five-takeaway performance from the defense just to pull off a one-score victory. That won't happen this time around. Though New England likely won't be a 14-win team again this season, they are still one of the top teams in the AFC, and this is a road game at Gillette Stadium. I'll chalk this one up as a loss.
Week 3: Steelers vs. Bengals
Prediction: Win (2-1)
The Bengals are much tougher with quarterback Joe Burrow on the field, but his is home game for Pittsburgh after a loss. Mike McCarthy's team will make the necessary adjustments coming out of New England to bounce back in Week 3 against Cincinnati.
Week 4: Steelers @ Browns (TNF)
Prediction: Loss (2-2)
I know this is the Cleveland Browns we're talking about, but the Steelers are 0-4 all-time on the road against the Browns on Thursday Night Football. Traveling for road games on short weeks isn't ideal, and Mike Tomlin was bad in this setting. Perhaps McCarthy will have better luck, but don't be surprised if the players come out flat and lay an egg in this one.
Week 5: Steelers vs. Colts
Prediction: Win (3-2)
The Colts were brilliant in the first half of last year's season and dismal in the second half. So which version of Indianapolis will we get? Considering quarterback Daniel Jones will be freshly off his Achilles injury and the Steelers get the Colts at home, I have Pittsburgh taking the win and advancing to 3-2.
Week 6: Steelers @ Buccaneers
Prediction: Loss (3-3)
The Steelers on the road against an uncommon NFC opponent? What could go wrong? The Buccaneers are hot and cold, but Baker Mayfield was a borderline MVP candidate in the first half of the 2025 season. This could go either way, but we'll give the edge to the Bucs.
Week 7: Steelers vs. Saints (Paris)
Prediction: Win (4-3)
While the Steelers are technically the "road" team for their international game in Paris, France, against the Saints, New Orleans doesn't have much of a home-field advantage. The Saints could take another step forward in 2026, but this is still an opponent with roster weaknesses that finished 6-11 last season. I've got Pittsburgh taking the win and advancing to 4-3.
Week 8: Steelers vs. Browns
Prediction: Win (5-3)
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. I wouldn't say it's impossible for the Browns to sweep the Steelers, but I'm certainly not betting on it happening. I had Rodgers and company going down on the road on TNF in Week 4, but bouncing back with (hopefully) a comfortable win against Cleveland at home in Week 8.
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: Steelers @ Bengals (SNF)
Prediction: Loss (5-4)
AFC North games are tough, and assuming Joe Burrow plays against the Steelers twice this year (they avoided Burrow entirely last season), it's hard to expect a clean sweep from Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, the Steelers are 4-9 in their last 13 Sunday Night Football games. This setting won't favor them, and McCarthy's team is slipping to 5-4 in their first game after the Week 9 bye.
Week 11: Steelers @ Eagles
Prediction: Loss (5-5)
If you thought the Steelers' road record on SNF was bad, it's nothing compared to their despicable road outings against their Pennsylvania foe. In Philadelphia, Pittsburgh is 9-30-2 all-time against the Eagles. It doesn't help that Philly has a stronger roster and has been a better team than the Steelers in recent years. I'll pencil Pittsburgh down for a loss.
Week 12: Steelers vs. Broncos (Black Friday)
Prediction: Win (6-5)
The NFL has only started Black Friday games in 2023, and this will be the first for the Steelers in franchise history. Though Denver was a 14-win team last year and is expected to have an excellent defense yet again, the Steelers get to host the Broncos on a short week for a mid-afternoon game (3 pm ET kickoff). I'll give the edge to Pittsburgh here.
Week 13: Steelers vs. Texans (SNF)
Prediction: Loss (6-6)
We discussed the Steelers' struggles on SNF in recent years, and things won't get any better when they host the Houston Texans. Despite quarterback C.J. Stroud struggling in their previous matchup, the Texans beat the brakes off the Steelers in a 30-6 pounding in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. This is just a brutal matchup for Pittsburgh against what could be the league's top-ranked defense.
Week 14: Steelers @ Jaguars (MNF)
Prediction: Win (7-6)
The Jaguars were one of the hottest teams down the stretch last season, but they failed to improve their roster much this offseason, and a regression could be in their future. Meanwhile, the Steelers typically show up to perform on Monday Night Football. Coming off a projected loss, I have them bouncing back against a respectable Jacksonville team.
Week 15: Steelers vs. Ravens
Prediction: Win (8-6)
The Ravens are projected to have the highest win total in the AFC North this season, but with an almost entirely new coaching staff, we have to expect some growing pains in 2026. While this is technically a short week for the Steelers after Monday Night Football, they are hosting the Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. And knowing their final contest in Week 18 will be in Baltimore, Rodgers and McCarthy know how important this game will be.
Week 16: Steelers vs. Panthers
Prediction: Win (9-6)
The Panthers pulled out a few monstrous offensive performances last season, but this is still a young team, and questions surround quarterback Bryce Young as he enters a make-or-break season. The Steelers are just 5-5 at home against NFC opponents since 2022, but entering this game with an 8-6 record with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, they'll have everything to play for.
Week 17: Steelers @ Titans
Prediction: Win (10-6)
Nothing is a given in the NFL—not even a game against the Titans. However, by Week 17, Tennessee likely has nothing left to play for but draft positioning and making sure quarterback Cam Ward doesn't suffer an injury that could linger into the 2027 season. The Steelers, meanwhile, should still be in the playoff hunt, and a win would be crucial to their postseason hopes. I have them beating the Titans on the road and advancing to 10-6.
Week 18: Steelers @ Ravens
Prediction: Loss (10-7)
Like it always seems to do, the divisional winner and playoff seeding could come down to this. Ravens kicker Tyler Loop botched a game-winning field goal in this setting, the last time around, and Lamar Jackson and company will want their revenge. I have Baltimore claiming a Week 18 win on their own turf.
Steelers Postseason Prediction:
A 10-7 record wouldn't guarantee a playoff spot, but I have them sneaking into the tournament as a Wild Card team and playing a road game. While it's nearly impossible to predict the outcome of this game without knowing which opponent they might face, it's reasonable to assume they could match up against a team like the Ravens, Bills, Patriots, Broncos, or Texans in Round 1 of the playoffs.
This might not bode well for their chances of advancing (though anything can happen in one game). Even with the certainty of Aaron Rodgers at the helm, I have the Steelers finishing with a 10-7 record, falling in the Wild Card, and continuing a 10-year drought without a playoff win.
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