​In just three weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers will head to Saint Vincent College for training camp, and we’ve decided it’s time to offer some way-too-early bold predictions for the upcoming season. We have high hopes for this team under new head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff, and we feel this squad is built for a big push with 2027 signaling a major overhaul. It isn’t that we see defensive coordinator Patrick Graham as some kind of guru; it’s more about acknowledging how the defense struggled under former coordinator Teryl Austin. The last time this unit finished a season in the top five for both scoring and yardage was 2020 under Keith Butler, and that serves as a benchmark for what could be possible again.
We aren’t ready to pin down a specific name—or even specify whether it will be an inside or outside linebacker—but we do think the Steelers will hold onto a number of promising linebackers to sort out who fits best in this new scheme and to pinpoint the most pressing roster needs. A week or two into the season, Pittsburgh will likely pull off a trade, moving one player out to bring in another who better fits the system and helps the team address its most important gaps.
Among the defensive players who could thrive in the new framework, Jalen Ramsey stands out as a likely standout. He could glide between multiple roles in a hybrid defensive back/linebacker capacity, which might complicate labeling him in a traditional position category. Still, his production should be undeniable, making him hard to ignore.
On the offensive side, 2021 was the last time Aaron Rodgers threw for 4,000 yards in a season, so labeling any bold prediction as a stretch would be fair but not unfounded. It’s been several years since we’ve seen anything approaching Rodgers’ prime, yet this scheme and the surrounding talent could unlock a similar level of production. If Rodgers is healthy and firing on all cylinders, the potential for another 4,000-yard season—perhaps his 11th—exists.
Turning to the postseason, the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016, despite multiple playoff appearances in the years since. This roster, however, feels poised to make a playoff push this season. If they do secure a spot, the front office could begin a money-saving rebuild with a new starting quarterback after this season, and Pittsburgh could plausibly secure a playoff win in 2026 as part of that long-term plan. This overview reflects bold expectations for an era of transformation, fiscal prudence, and competitive results that could redefine Pittsburgh’s trajectory in the coming years.