Steelers Provide Loads Of Worry To Popular Pundit: "I'm Concerned"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone through a ton of change since the 2025 season came to a close. Former head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down after the playoff loss to the Houston Texans, and the organization went out and hired Mike McCarthy after going through a thorough search for the franchise's next head coach. Some roster moves have been made as well, but overall the team looks better on paper than it did at this time during the 2025 offseason. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is also returning, who was the team's best realistic option at quarterback for 2026.

Rodgers may be 42-years-old, but he was Pittsburgh's best option at quarterback during the 2026 offseason. The organization was not in a spot to draft a starting quarterback, and the free agent market was relatively dry. The veteran quarterback played well in 2025, but he definitely left some things to be desired. He struggled with moving around in the pocket, and he seemed a bit tentative when it came to pushing the ball down the field. Analyst Kevin Clark spoke about the Steelers and Rodgers during a recent appearance on First Take, and he shared that the Steelers are the team he is most concerned about going into 2026.

"It's the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last week, we talked about teams where I see the check-engine light," Clark said. "l am in the body shop, I'm concerned about the Pittsburgh Steelers. First of all, you look at some of these numbers last year for Aaron Rodgers, who is one of the most talented guys who's ever played the position. Still has a lot of good qualities, but he threw the ball quicker and shorter than basically anybody on record in the history of football last year. I don't think that was an Arthur Smith stat. I don't think that was a receiver stat, even though he has better receivers this year. I think it was an age stat."

The four-time league MVP has been heavily scrutinized for getting rid of the ball too fast in 2025, criticism has also come due to his average depth of target being extremely low. He was consistently worried in the backfield and dumping the ball off to running backs, which is fine sometimes, but it shouldn't be the focal point of the offense.

Clark seems to believe this was not something that was coached, rather it was Rodgers' preference. This meant his age was creeping in, and maybe he was a bit worried about being hit. Hopefully the offensive line can perform better in 2026, which can make him feel more comfortable. Rodgers is at his best when he has time to survey the field and trust his arm, which is what Pittsburgh needs him to be able to do this season.

Steelers' Coaching Change Worries Some

Clark spoke about Rodgers and the offense, but he was also concerned about the changes on the coaching staff. He is clearly a large fan of Tomlin, and he thinks that hiring McCarthy is a step in the wrong direction.

"You add in the fact that Mike Tomlin is leaving, and Mike McCarthy is not anywhere close to Mike Tomlin as a coach in my book," Clark said. "You also add in the fact that the strength of the franchise has been defense for a long time, and that seemed to be trending in the wrong direction last year. So I'm just looking at this and if we're talking about teams that maybe aren't gonna repeat the success that they had last year, they're at the top of my list."

McCarthy's career is actually relatively similar to Tomlin's, but Clark doesn't believe the two coaches are on the same level. 

At least McCarthy has an offensive speciality, and that could mix well and fix the concerns that were brought up earlier regarding Rodgers.

What do you think about Clark's comments on the Steelers? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

#SteelerNation