If we could come up with one word to describe what is happening with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an organization right now, “introspection” would not be far off the mark. There is a sense of soul-searching for a team that came up short in the 2024 season. Fans should have patience and make rash decisions while everyone still feels the emotions of the past season and disappointment in the NFL Playoffs, which is probably not the best way to go.
AP Photo
Steelers' Patrick Queen chats with Ravens' Lamar Jackson after a game in Baltimore, MD.
That said, while there will be months and months of discussions, trade and draft rumors, coaching setup changes, and so on, we thought we would take a much-too-early look at next season. Yes, it’s a long way to September, but we wanted to look at three areas that impact the Steelers in the offseason: Their odds for the 2025 season, the opponents they will face, and the prospect of taking a sporadic trip for an NFL game abroad:
The Steelers Super Bowl LX Odds
We know a lot could change in the coming months. Indeed, the Super Bowl odds are still live for this season, yet the early betting for Super Bowl LX does not make great reading for Steelers fans. They are priced at around +6000 to go to Levi’s Stadium and win it all on February 8, 2026. As we said, it’s a long way away, and the Steelers’ odds could change through trades, picking up free agents, and the NFL Draft. What’s more, we think the sportsbooks are being a little harsh on a team that has qualified for the NFL Playoffs four of the last five seasons and hasn’t had a season under .500 for over 20 years. That said, there is a consensus that something needs to change in the offseason, and the odds won’t move in the Steelers’ favor until we see that change.
The Steelers’ Strength of Schedule (SoS)
Like the Super Bowl odds, it is probably too soon to be worrying about the Steelers’ SoS in the 2025 season, but it is interesting to note, at least as a point of reference. Pittsburgh ranks 10th overall in SoS for the 2025 season (it was 3rd in 2024), so there is at least a perception that, on paper, the season will offer more opportunity to get some additional wins on the board. Six games against rival AFC North teams is standard, of course, and it will likely be tough again. The AFC East will be the Steelers ‘Conference Opponents,’ with that division having a 30-38 record in 2024 (the Bills have primarily propped up the average). But for “Interconference,” it’s the NFC North (45-23), which will be tough.
A Trip to Ireland?
Finally, we should soon learn whether the Steelers will go on vacation. The Rooney Family has expressed interest in playing in Ireland, and the NFL has suggested a game could be played in the Emerald Isle in the 2025 regular season. The game would be the first NFL game to take place in Ireland and be held at the legendary Croke Park Stadium in Dublin. The Steelers hierarchy has been one of the most reluctant to play abroad, but given the Rooney Family’s historical links to Ireland, you can see the attraction. Whether you’re a fan of international games or not, the links between Ireland and the city of Pittsburgh are strong, so it would be an opportunity to grow the Steelers’ brand in a country where NFL fandom is increasing at a steady clip.
