The Pittsburgh Steelers have fought through a rollercoaster season filled with flashes of promise and moments of doubt. Yet despite a dominant win over Cincinnati in Week 11, national analysts remain skeptical that this team can make a legitimate playoff run in 2025.
Bleacher Report ranked the Steelers among this year’s “pretenders,” warning that inconsistency and key injuries could derail their late-season push. While four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers has provided a veteran presence, his lingering wrist issues and uneven play have cast doubt on how far the team can go. The analysis argued that Pittsburgh’s defense, though capable of game-changing performances, disappears too often against better opponents, making it difficult for the team to sustain momentum.
Pittsburgh Steelers, Aaron Rodgers, NFL
Nov 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to pass the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Rodgers’ leadership has undeniably steadied an offense that has long struggled to find rhythm. His chemistry with young receivers like Calvin Austin III and Darnell Washington has given fans glimpses of what this unit could become when fully healthy. However, the offense remains reliant on older playmakers and lacks the explosive balance needed to stay competitive against AFC juggernauts like Buffalo or Baltimore.
According to recent rankings, Pittsburgh hovers in the mid-tier among national outlets, landing between 11th and 17th. Even after their 34-12 victory over the Bengals, analysts cautioned that Rodgers’ injury could sink their divisional hopes. As the Baltimore Ravens surge and the Buffalo Bills loom on the horizon, the Steelers’ season may hinge on staying healthy through December’s gauntlet.
Bleacher Report’s NFL Expert Reveals Why Pittsburgh Steelers Are Pretenders
Pittsburgh Steelers, Aaron Rodgers, NFL
Nov 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Even though they’ve impressed at several instances this season, the Aaron Rodgers-led team isn’t considered a contender. This is detailed more in an analysis by Brad Gagnon for Bleacher Report.
Case for Pretender: Those defensive performances seem to come and go, Rodgers is on the brink of 42 years of age and dealing with a wrist injury, and the Ravens have stormed back with a healthy Lamar Jackson.
Verdict: Pretender. I don’t see any reason why this team is more of a threat than the ones that failed to win playoff games in each of the last eight seasons. The Steelers are 2-3 in their last five games and could be destroyed by an upcoming run against Chicago, Buffalo and Baltimore.
From different local coverages to national media, the consensus remains that Pittsburgh sits squarely in the murky middle, a team too experienced to collapse but too thin to dominate. The defense continues to make plays, yet offensive stagnation and age have capped their ceiling.
Pittsburgh Steelers, Aaron Rodgers, NFL
Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
If the Steelers stumble against upcoming contenders, their playoff dreams could vanish as quickly as they revived. For now, they remain competitive but hardly convincing, a storied franchise trying to find one more spark before time runs out.
Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
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