Pittsburgh Steelers fans might already be going through the team’s schedule and trying to predict where the wins and losses will come. Things might be a little different this year with Mike Tomlin gone. While Mike McCarthy is a proven veteran coach, there are still some people that expect the Steelers to take a step back. That doesn’t include former Steelers corner Bryant McFadden, though. For better or worse, he sees more of the same for his former team.
“10-7, Pittsburgh, playoff-caliber team, potentially divisional crown as well,” McFadden said recently on CBS Sports HQ. “We saw what they did last year… They have improved the offense. The offensive line, I think, will be a much-improved unit.
“Not to mention the wide receivers. Forget the tight ends, they have the tight ends there. Wide receiver has been a position in totality that has been alarming for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bringing in Michael Pittman [Jr.], I think, is a big addition. You look at getting Bernard in the draft.”
McFadden went through and predicted the results of each of the Steelers’ games. While he has them starting off with a win over the Atlanta Falcons, he thinks they’ll be hot and cold to begin the year. McFadden has the Steelers starting off 3-3 in their first six games, also beating the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts, but losing to the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Patriots won the AFC last year, and traveling to play the Bucs could be difficult, so it makes sense why McFadden has the Steelers dropping those games. However, some fans might be confused why he picked Cleveland over Pittsburgh.
McFadden explained his thought process during that same video.
“Week 4, NFL, why did you do this? It’s not just about this being a Week 4 game. It’s a Thursday night game. The reason why this is a loss is because we’ve never won in Cleveland on a Thursday night… I’ve gotta follow the trend.”
That’s not a bad reason to have the Browns beating the Steelers. Their most recent Thursday matchup came in the 2024 season, and the Browns pulled off an upset there. Part of that was because the Steelers were coming off another physical AFC North game. That will be the case again in 2026, with Pittsburgh facing Cincinnati before traveling on a short week to Cleveland.
McFadden has the Steelers bouncing back after that up-and-down stretch, winning their next three games. That includes getting some revenge on the Browns and sweeping the Bengals.
However, he has the Steelers struggling again after that, losing their next three straight to the Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Houston Texans. Those were all playoff teams last year, and they figure to be part of Pittsburgh’s toughest stretch of 2026.
McFadden has the Steelers closing out the year on a high note, though. He picked them to win four of their last five games, including ending the year on a three-game winning streak. The only loss he gives them to end the year is their first matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
While that would mark the Steelers’ fourth-straight 10-7 season, that’s not a bad outlook for them, depending on whether or not they win a playoff game. If the Steelers go 10-7 and get bounced in the first round again, or fail to make the postseason entirely, fans will likely be frustrated. Regular season success is nice, but Steelers fans want to see playoff success.
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