The Pittsburgh Steelers have become accustomed to mediocrity. The most recent ESPN power rankings reinforce that sentiment.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are familiar with how this tale unfolds. They prolong head coach Mike Tomlin’s streak of non-losing seasons. The team struggles, their AFC North competitors advance further into January, and they spend yet another offseason stuck in quarterback limbo.
There are valid reasons to be enthusiastic about the upcoming version of Tomlin’s Steelers. Acquiring Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf enhances the overall strength of a receiving corps that featured only one standout in 2024.
The 2025 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh enhanced the physicality of both offensive and defensive units, while free agency contributed to a somewhat revamped secondary.
A (potentially) encouraging starting quarterback could be on the horizon as well, if Aaron Rodgers signs the contract. Nonetheless, Steelers supporters find themselves expressing similar sentiments about ESPN’s most recent power rankings, acknowledging their status as the NFL’s middle-class fixture.
Pittsburgh ranked at No. 17, positioned between the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons. “According to Brooke Pryor, Mike Tomlin expressed that the team felt ‘extreme urgency’ to enhance the defensive line, which was evident in the draft.”
The Steelers selected Derrick Harmon with their first-round pick, a flexible defensive tackle who bases his style of play on Cameron Heyward’s.
Next, the Steelers reinforced the position by selecting large tackle Yahya Black, whom coaches indicated could play nose tackle but is expected to play as a 4-technique.
This results in a packed defensive line room for the Steelers, which is a positive issue to face considering they had difficulties halting the run last season.
The doubt – if that’s what we should name it – is justified. With Rodgers in the mix, Pittsburgh is still anticipated to end up behind the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, but in front of the Cleveland Browns.
The Steelers are expected to stay near .500, and if they manage to reach the playoffs, they won’t be regarded as serious competitors.
At this moment, it seems like a lifestyle in Pittsburgh, where a 17-game season has turned into a game of waiting.
The Steelers might not find their future franchise quarterback in the near future, yet there’s still an opportunity for Pittsburgh to engage in important games and spoil a contender’s season along the way.