The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most intriguing teams heading into the 2026 season. A team with a record 22-straight winning seasons, the Steelers are at a crossroads. Moving on from Mike Tomlin after almost two decades and without a losing campaign, the Steelers and Owner Art Rooney II decided to make a pivot in search of postseason success. Despite a veteran-laden roster, the Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, in danger of setting an infamous NFL record for the most consecutive playoff losses in NFL History. This will have to change, and change fast.
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Steelers Team President and Owner Art Rooney II holds a slight grin while talking to the media.
The Steelers are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. Winners of six Super Bowls, the New England Patriots are the only other team that can rival the Steelers on top of the NFL mountaintop. Tomlin was the face of the organization for nearly two decades. When you thought of the Black and Gold during the height of their run, you thought of Tomlin and future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Unfortunately, ever since he retired after 18 historic seasons with the Steelers, their quarterback play has completely flatlined, with 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers providing the best quarterback play they've had since Roethlisberger retired.
Steelers insider Gerry Dulac had some thoughts on the Steelers' plans during his Steelers chat on Thursday where he was asked about Rooney’s desire to stay competitive possibly being related to garnering taxpayers dollars for a new stadium.
"None whatsoever,” Dulac responded.
Dulac’s answer to the fans question left little doubt. Dulac does not believe the stadium has anything to do with Rooney's insistence on pursuing a Super Bowl with this roster. In fairness to Rooney, the Steelers did just win the AFC North title and host a playoff game as a result, although it was a disastrous 30-6 home loss to the Houston Texans.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a postseason matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans.
Despite the Steelers moving on from Tomlin, bringing in former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, should bring little change to the scheme, especially defensively. While the coaching staff is much different, the Steelers will remain in their 3-4 defense with much of the same personnel. Offensively, the Steelers will move to a more open, West Coast offense that will frequently use three-receiver sets. The Steelers will likely have to devote much of their cap space and draft capital this offseason into their receiving core, which is a weak point after star receiver DK Metcalf.
Steelers' Rooney Is In A Tough Spot
The Steelers haven't gone into a season without postseason expectations for over two decades. It's a good feeling, one that you can get accustomed to as an owner. For Rooney, perhaps the postseason appearances and winning seasons are enough to keep hope alive that the gap between the Steelers and playoff success is a step rather than a climb. Critics would say the issue with this mindset is being unable to accept what's right in front of you.
The Steelers have an aging roster in a league where youth wins; the Patriots and this year's Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks were two of the youngest teams in the NFL this season, something that can only truly be achieved through rebuilding. Thus far, the Steelers have been unable to accept the temporary pain of losing seasons that a rebuild would bring.
Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press
Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy looks out toward the media during his opening press conference on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 which was held at Acrisure Stadium.
Rooney is betting on McCarthy to bring out something in this Steelers team that Tomlin couldn't for years. If he's right, the Steelers will finally end their playoff woes of almost a decade; if he's wrong, the Steelers will likely be forced into the rebuild that they've been running from.
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