By Chris Gates | The Pittsburgh Football Podcast

Every football team has reasons for optimism.

Every football team also has reasons to be skeptical.

The Steelers are no different.

In fact, I think that’s what makes this year’s team so fascinating. Depending on which dominoes fall, I could see this season ending in a disappointing 6-11 campaign, or I could see the Steelers winning the AFC North and making a legitimate playoff run.

There’s a wider range of outcomes than we’ve had in years.

So let’s break down both sides of the football — the reasons this team could surprise people, and the reasons things could still go sideways.

Offense: Why I’m More Optimistic Than I’ve Been in Years

I’ll start with the biggest reason for optimism.

The Steelers finally have legitimate weapons.

Last year, the passing game felt incredibly limited. DK Metcalf was the clear No. 1 option, but after that, defenses didn’t have much reason to worry. Arthur Smith tried to compensate by leaning heavily into multiple tight-end formations, and while that looked interesting early in the year, it eventually became obvious that it wasn’t some revolutionary offensive philosophy.

It was necessity.

This year feels completely different.

DK Metcalf is still your No. 1 receiver.

Michael Pittman Jr. gives the Steelers a legitimate second option.

I’m also really high on Germie Bernard as the No. 3 receiver. I know he’s a rookie, but I think he’s talented enough to contribute immediately. Whether Roman Wilson ends up being your third or fourth receiver, that’s a much healthier conversation than the Steelers were having a year ago.

Simply adding legitimate pass catchers changes everything.

Defenses can’t dedicate all of their attention to one player anymore.

Aaron Rodgers has multiple answers before the snap.

And suddenly the passing game becomes much more difficult to defend.

Mike McCarthy’s Offenses Produce

The coaching change is another reason I think this offense has a chance to take a significant step forward.

Mike McCarthy has his critics.

That’s fair.

But one thing he has consistently done throughout his career is produce offense.

His quarterbacks have generally played well.

His passing games have generally been productive.

If you compare that to where the Steelers have been offensively over the last several seasons, that’s a pretty dramatic shift.

The offense finally feels like it’s being designed around maximizing its personnel instead of trying to force personnel into a rigid system.

That alone should create a more productive unit.

The Running Game Still Looks Strong

I also like where the running back room sits.

Losing Kenneth Gainwell was disappointing because he played such an important role last season.

But I think Rico Dowdle was a really nice addition.

Pairing him with Jaylen Warren gives the Steelers two backs who complement each other well, and I’m excited to see what Kaleb Johnson can become in his first opportunity to carve out a meaningful role.

It’s a balanced room.

And if the offensive line does its job, I think the running game will continue to be productive.

The Offensive Line Finally Has Depth

Speaking of the offensive line…

This might quietly be one of the biggest improvements on the roster.

Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, and whoever ultimately wins the final tackle spot give the Steelers what looks like a solid starting five.

But it’s the depth that catches my attention.

Broderick Jones being healthy enough to compete again is encouraging after it looked like his future was very much in doubt.

Max Iheanachor had been generating positive reviews throughout training camp before his shoulder injury.

Dylan Cook provides additional flexibility.

For the first time in a while, it feels like the Steelers actually have options up front.

The Biggest Offensive Concern

That doesn’t mean there aren’t concerns.

There absolutely are.

Health remains the biggest one.

Aaron Rodgers is 42 years old.

The offensive line has more depth than it’s had recently, but the interior still makes me nervous if multiple injuries pile up.

The offense feels much deeper than it did a year ago.

But it still isn’t built to absorb several major injuries.

If the starting lineup stays relatively healthy, I think this offense has a chance to surprise people.

If it doesn’t, the optimism fades pretty quickly.

Defense: Why This Unit Could Be Even Better

I’ve generally trusted the Steelers defense more than the offense over the past several seasons.

That’s still true.

But this year’s optimism comes from a different place.

It isn’t just about the talent.

It’s about how I think that talent is going to be used.

Patrick Graham Could Unlock Another Level

Patrick Graham is probably the assistant coach I’m most excited about heading into this season.

Everything we’ve heard from training camp points toward a defense that’s going to be much more multiple and much more aggressive than what we’ve seen recently.

That’s exciting.

Instead of lining players up in the same spots every week, Graham appears willing to move guys around to create confusion.

Imagine offenses trying to figure out where T.J. Watt is lining up before every snap.

Now add Alex Highsmith.
Nick Herbig.
Patrick Queen.

There are so many ways to create pressure without becoming predictable.

That’s the part that has me excited.

Good defenses don’t just rely on great players.

They make life difficult for offenses before the ball is even snapped.

The Secondary Might Be Better Than People Think

I also think the defensive backfield deserves more credit than it’s getting nationally.

Joey Porter Jr. should eventually return to the field, and when he does, I still believe he’s one of the better young cornerbacks in football.

Asante Samuel Jr. has been one of the biggest standouts throughout training camp.

I’m excited to see what Jaquan Brisker brings at safety.

DeShon Elliott gives you another experienced veteran.

And having Jalen Ramsey in that room provides another proven playmaker.

There are suddenly a lot of guys capable of making splash plays.

That’s how turnovers happen.

Pressure forces mistakes.

Talented defensive backs capitalize on them.

Experience Matters

One thing that stands out when I look across this defense is experience.

Cam Heyward continues to anchor the defensive line.

The linebacker room is loaded with veterans.

The secondary has proven players across multiple positions.

There isn’t a lot of uncertainty about whether these players belong in the NFL.

The question is simply how much Patrick Graham can maximize what they already do well.

My Biggest Defensive Question

If I have one concern defensively, it’s probably the defensive line.

Not because I dislike the group.

I actually think there’s a lot of experience there.

I’m just less certain about that unit than I am at linebacker or in the secondary.

The linebacker room feels deep.

The defensive backs feel deeper than they’ve been.

The defensive line is the area where I have the most questions.

That doesn’t mean it’s a weakness.

It’s just the position group I’m least confident projecting.

Why I’m Higher on the Steelers Than Most People

When I put everything together, I understand why the national conversation isn’t giving the Steelers much attention.

There are legitimate concerns.

Aaron Rodgers is 42.
Health is always a question.
There’s an entirely new coaching staff.

Those are fair reasons to be cautious.

But I also think people are overlooking how many things have improved.

The offense has better weapons.
The offensive coaching is stronger.
The offensive line has more depth.
Patrick Graham has the potential to make an already talented defense even more aggressive.
The secondary looks deeper than it has in years.

When I compare this roster to last year’s team, I don’t think it’s close.

I think this team is more talented.

I think it’s going to be more creative.

And I think it has a noticeably higher ceiling.

That doesn’t guarantee success.

But it does make me believe the Steelers are capable of surprising a lot of people this season.

If the offense becomes as productive as I think it can, and the defense embraces Patrick Graham’s aggressive philosophy the way it appears to be, this feels like a football team that will win the AFC North — not simply sneak into the playoffs.

And after watching years of feeling like every Steelers season was going to end the exact same way, that’s a pretty exciting place to be.

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Pittsburgh Steelers, Steelers Offense, Steelers Defense, Mike McCarthy, Patrick Graham, Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Germie Bernard, Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Steelers Offensive Line, T.J. Watt, Joey Porter Jr., Asante Samuel Jr., Jaquan Brisker, Cam Heyward, AFC North, Steelers Analysis, Steelers Preview, Steelers 2026, Pittsburgh Football Podcast