ESPN doubts Steelers 2026 improvement with Aaron Rodgers

Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) audibles during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed back Aaron Rodgers into the fold last week, and he will be the starter for Mike McCarthy in 2026.

That sets the floor for the Steelers, but also their ceiling.

Likely to win eight games, maybe nine, and sniffing around the playoffs, but never seriously challenging, the Steelers, at least to me, aren't a contender in 2026. Of course, they could prove me wrong, no doubt.

But ESPN's Ben Solak also has doubts over whether the Steelers will improve with Rodgers in Year 2.

"So will the Steelers be any better this season? Never say never, of course," Solak wrote. "I watched them start 11-0 with the husk of Ben Roethlisberger in 2020. Rodgers can certainly do this season what Roethlisberger did then. But I'll be placing my eggs in other baskets for 2026."

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What does Steelers improvement look like?

Well, they won 10 games last season, so improvement would look like 11 wins on face value. That's the first thing.

But the other is for the offense to not just be a boring ground attack, which, under McCarthy, it shouldn't be. That's not his M.O. Plus, the defense should be better given the talent on every level, so there is reason to think that the Steelers "could" improve. 

But do I think they will? 

I have a hard time thinking Pittsburgh will be anything other than an also-ran in 2026. But again, the NFL is unpredictable, so watch them win 11 games and make the playoffs to prove me wrong.

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