How much improvement (or decline) can we expect from these Steelers in 2026?

How much improvement (or decline) can we expect from these Steelers in 2026?


Pat Freiermuth

Freiermuth is now playing under a new offensive-minded head coach in Mike McCarthy, who has historically shown a willingness to feature tight ends in the passing game. That should translate to a jump in production. While Freiermuth isn’t quite an elite receiving tight end, he runs solid intermediate routes and possesses enough speed to create separation. Look for roughly 150+ more receiving yards than he posted in 2025



Roman Wilson

Wilson is finally out of Mike Tomlin’s doghouse. I never bought the 2025 media narrative that he “didn’t know the playbook.” No coach ever said that publicly, and when given opportunities he performed well. So... This year he has a real chance, and in 2026 mini-camp he’s been shining. Even though Aaron Rodgers has a reputation for not always meshing quickly with young receivers ( I noticed that Wilson was one of the few men at AR's Cowboy offseason retreat). Wilson’s quickness, speed, and reliable hands should play well in McCarthy’s offense and Rodgers should appreciate such a talent as he get rid of the ball quicker these days. I expect him to surprise a lot of people who aren’t familiar with the new scheme. Projection: 300+ more receiving yards than 2025.


Troy Fautanu

The young tackle is making the switch from right tackle to left tackle. In 2025 at right tackle, his PFF grades were:

Pass-blocking: 71.0 (40th among qualified tackles)
Run-blocking: 56.4 (68th)
Pressures allowed: 25 (2 sacks, 4 hits)
Penalties: 3

That was his first full year of NFL football, so natural improvement is expected. However, the competition will also be tougher on the left side against higher-caliber edge rushers. I’ve seen some red flags in his footwork relative to the standard required at left tackle, and he’ll need cleaner hand placement to compensate. The left tackle spot is too important to experiment with lightly especially when you consider that Dylan Cook played well there in a four-game sample against some of the better pass rushers in the league. The Steelers are making this move for camp, but if Fautanu struggles, don’t be surprised if Cook (who should also improve as a full-time starter) slides back to left tackle and Fautanu returns to the right side.


Derrick Harmon

Harmon opened some eyes as a rookie. His 2025 production:

22 total pressures (4 sacks, 1 hit, 17 hurries)
17 solo tackles against the run.
446 defensive snaps across 12 games (8 starts)

That’s outstanding output for a rookie with only eight starts. Harmon profiles as a very good 3 and 5 technique defensive lineman and should take a clear step forward in Year 2 with increased snaps and experience. Perhaps he will become a star player.

 

As long as Mr. Rodgers stays healthy I really believe we will be competitive in the neighborhood. I do believe the Steelers will be a Playoff team but not a true Super Bowl contender.

Should Rodgers go down early in season it could be a blessing for the future. This will give the new Mike a good look at what he'll have to work with in the 2027-28 season.

Way to early and sadly injuries play a big part in a season but I'm thinking 9-11 wins.

Off topic: The ads for GLP-1 patches are useless for this site. Pretty sure we don't have middle age women with big bellies on this forum.

 

Friermuth and Harmon.... trending upward. Muth with McCarthy running things will improve over previous years. Harmon looks to be potentially the best DL we've had since Tuitt.

Fautanu.... still a question mark.

Wilson..... not expecting much. He would have shown something by now.

 

On paper, I think the Steelers are improved on defense, offense, and special teams (and in coaching too). Whether or not that translates to more success than last year is yet to be determined. I certainly don't see them doing any worse unless there's a rash of injuries to key players. If everything goes well for them, I can see the Steelers winning the division and winning at least one playoff game, possibly more. I'd like to see them at least get to the AFC Championship game, but it's going to be a tough road. It would be nice for Rogers to ride off into the sunset with a SB win, nothing wrong with dreaming I suppose. Should be an interesting season at any rate.

 

QB is way too big a question mark to think they are anything more than a 8 or 9 win type team assuming all else goes right. Just have to hope for some positive change with the coaching philosophy and potentially seeing a younger QB growing into a role next year. Otherwise it’s rd 1 draft pick and pray.

 

7 or 8 wins. Old age catches up with Rodgers early on in the season and I've never been a fan of Mike McCarthy.

 

i think rodgers will be better being more familiar with these teammates and this system.

 

I was listing the young Steelers. On Rodgers, it can go either way. He’s more familiar with the system and takes his condition seriously, but he’ll be 43 soon and is approaching the steep downhill side of the age curve.

 

Rodgers' health depends on the performance of the OT's. The less beating he takes... the better off Steelers will be. Hope the OTs are up to the task.

 

I predict a gimpy Rodgers by week 5. He will still play but we will see another year of quick passes in order to avoid ghost.

At best, another 10-7 year.

At worse, 7-10 and we finally rip the bandaid off this old geezer QB movement.

 

100%. We sure the hell don't have a QB who can use his legs to avoid trouble.

 

We should have an idea after a few games how well the team plays under the all new staff but I can tell you that I am excited simply because there is nothing holding the team back (that we know of). Previous years you knew what was coming and it was not fun.

 

I have more faith in Troy Fautanu. Less so on who's the starting RT at present. Will have to wait and see there.

 

It’s been a week since I first wrote about him, and I still feel the same way. Roman Wilson has always been a good player. He’s finally getting the chance to prove it. With four practices under his belt, Wilson is the most targeted wide receiver on the team and already leads the group in completions. He’s hardly a slot-only guy either -- he’s doing real damage down the field. He’s proving his worth every day.Though the sample size is still small, the traits that stood out on paper are showing up on the grass. Wilson has that rare combination of special speed and special quickness. A lot of receivers have one or the other. He has both. The numbers back it up:

Official 1.52-second 10-yard split at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine (75th–80th percentile among wide receivers) — pure acceleration and explosion off the line.

Official 4.39-second 40-yard dash (elite 85th percentile) — legitimate deep speed.

4.07-second 20-yard shuttle at Michigan’s Pro Day (roughly 85th–89th percentile) — elite stop-and-go, side-to-side quickness.


Put it together and you get a rocket off the line who can plant, cut, and change direction with the best of them… and still run away from defenders! As we’re seeing in practice, he’s a tough cover. At 5'10¾", he’s also tall enough that you can’t dismiss him as “too short” outside the hashes. Don’t underestimate Mike McCarthy system or abity to integrate Wilson's talents the system either.


The pads come on soon!

 

I pretty much agree. I've preached the invest draft capital in Oline for years now, which I'm glad they did.

Now they got to show they belong. Bummer Jones was a flop. Can't have that for the other two first round tackles

 

athlon football mag says the steelers end up with the 8th overall pick in 2027 draft. That says how they believe we'll do...

 

Based on last year that equates to a 3-14 record

 

God I hope not.
No matter what people think, I want McCarthy to be great. I don't think I can handle a 3 -14 record.

 

Yea. Not seeing that at all. At the very worst split with CLE and CIN. Then they still got CAR and TEN. Those should be wins.

 

athlon's rankings were based on Vegas' odds to win the super bowl this year at the time of the publication.

 

i can think of only one Qb who was capable to play at a high level as a starter at that age. And he wore the same number as AR. Most of these Qb’s (former stars or otherwise) are only capable to play as backups for a game or two in their 40’s. Its going to be interesting to see how AR does, maybe he bucks the trend.

 

He doesn't have Brady's genetics. Add to this he's the most sacked QB in the history of the NFL. It's taken its toll.

 

I’m more optimistic this year than last

But based on what you say I am in the minority

 

That is about how I feel as well. Competitive, not in the running for the SB.


Just want to point out that the ads are probably coming from things YOU have searched for........For example, I recently searched for LIPO batteries and all my ads are for Li Time LifePO batteries.........so I am not judging, but......... lol

 

Well I sure the hell didn't search them and my wife weighs 115 pounds so not her. I know what you mean, I was looking up coffee once and was bombarded with ads for coffees.