Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis sees a benefit in the new-look offense that goes well beyond Aaron Rodgers putting up more touchdowns. If Mike McCarthy’s unit builds real leads, Patrick Graham can call a more aggressive defense without treating every possession like one busted coverage will decide the game.
That argument is more useful than another vague prediction that Pittsburgh will “score more.” Consistent offensive production would give the defensive unit more freedom.
Bettis’ 30-point target sounds ambitious, though. The Steelers have enough talent to reach 30, but not enough evidence (yet) to call it the offensive baseline.
T.J. Watt stands to benefit most if the Pittsburgh Steelers start scoring more often
“For the longest time, the defense had to keep people under 20 points in order for the Steelers to have a chance to win,” Bettis said on the FanSided episode hosted by Still Curtain's Tommy Jaggi. He believes this offense can reach 30 and give the defense room to use more pressure.
The 2025 results both support and check Bettis' optimism. Pittsburgh averaged 23.4 points and reached 30 only three times. The Steelers went 6-6 when allowing at least 20 points, so Bettis’ threshold wasn’t literal last season. Still, six of their seven losses came in those games, and the defense had almost no leeway for an average outing.
Playing from ahead would let Pittsburgh use its pass rush on its own terms. Opponents throw more often, protections become easier to anticipate, and T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig can harass the quarterback at will. Graham can even consider a fourth rusher (Jack Sawyer, perhaps?) with less fear of a long, clock-draining drive.
On the back end, Joey Porter Jr. and Pittsburgh’s reworked cornerback group would see more hurried throws and more chances to pick the ball off. Longer offensive drives would also reduce defensive snaps and help keep the front fresher late in games -- especially ideal for the 37-year-old Cam Heyward.
The offensive case isn’t over the top, either. Rodgers threw 24 touchdowns against seven interceptions last year, and McCarthy has reunited with him in an offense featuring DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Jaylen Warren, and Rico Dowdle. That’s better personnel than Pittsburgh carried through most of its post-Ben Roethlisberger offenses.
Thirty points per game is too rich for a near-43-year-old quarterback behind an offensive line with questions. But thirty often enough to force opponents away from their preferred offense is plausible, and it could make Pittsburgh’s expensive defense more dangerous instead of merely more rested.
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