The schedule reveal video from the Pittsburgh Steelers was rather underwhelming, which isn’t a surprise at this point. The 2026 schedule is out for the Black and Gold, allowing many to start planning for the fall and winter.
It was anticlimactic, as much of the schedule was leaked prior to 8 p.m. Within the Steelers’ schedule, there’s another international trip to take on the New Orleans Saints in Paris, France, in Week 7. There’s also a home opener for the first time in a number of years, hosting the Atlanta Falcons.
The Steelers also have a tough slate of games in the second half of the season, which is nothing new.
On paper, it’s a tough schedule. It should be, considering it’s a first-place schedule. The division will be strong, too, with the Bengals and Browns improved and the Ravens entering a new era, much like the Steelers.
Below, I break down my four most intriguing non-AFC North games on the Steelers’ 2026 schedule, going No. 4-1.
NO. 4 — WEEK 2 AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
For the second year in a row, the Steelers will make an early-season trip to Foxboro. This time, though, it will be against the reigning AFC champions.
Last season, the Steelers went into Foxboro and picked up a wild 21-14 win, forcing the Patriots into a number of turnovers, giving young quarterback Drake Maye fits. It was a classic Mike Tomlin-coached game where the Steelers dragged their opponent into the mud and won an ugly game. Aaron Rodgers hit Calvin Austin III for a late game-winning touchdown, too.
Now, Mike McCarthy is at the helm, the Patriots are battle-tested under head coach Mike Vrabel and ready for a rematch. After opening up the season at home against the Atlanta Falcons, the trip to Foxboro will be the first true road trip under McCarthy, which will be a challenge in and of itself.
NO. 3 — WEEK 11 AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Early on in that mid-to-late season gauntlet in the schedule, the Steelers will go from traveling to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals on Sunday Night Football in an AFC North tilt, to then traveling across the state of Pennsylvania to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a 4:25 kickoff in Week 11.
Historically, the Steelers are terrible in Philadelphia. They haven’t won in Philadelphia since 1965. No, that’s not a typo. So, a trip to the City of Brotherly Love is filled with anything but love for the Steelers. The last time they were in Philadelphia, the Eagles drubbed them 27-13 in 2024, controlling the game from start to finish.
This time, they’ll go into Philadelphia relatively fresh, coming off a Week 9 bye, but staring down a difficult stretch of action. With an improved defense, a rebuilt offensive line and a defensive line that should be able to stand up against the Eagles’ vaunted offensive line, this should be a better matchup for the Steelers.
Since times are changing in the Steelers’ organization, maybe McCarthy can snap the losing streak in Philadelphia.
NO. 2 — WEEK 12 VS. DENVER BRONCOS (BLACK FRIDAY)
Short week for the Steelers going from a tough road trip to Philadelphia in Week 11 to hosting the Denver Broncos in AFC action in Week 12 on Black Friday.
That game will be broadcast on Amazon, will be a standalone matchup on the North Shore, and will feature another look at Bo Nix. The last time the Steelers played Nix and the Broncos, they squeaked out a 13-6 win in Week 2 of the 2024 season in the Mile High City. This time, though, it’ll be on the North Shore the day after Thanksgiving, hopefully producing a great atmosphere.
As part of the tough gauntlet, hosting the Broncos won’t be easy. Denver is a legitimate power in the AFC, having won the AFC West last season and making a run to the AFC Championship Game last year. The biggest question will be Nix’s health, but these two teams should have stout defenses, which could make for a low-scoring game in the holiday season.
NO. 1 — WEEK 7 AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS IN PARIS, FRANCE
Did you really think any other non-divisional game would rank No. 1 here other than this?
The Steelers will make history internationally for the second year in a row. Last year, they hosted the first-ever regular-season game in Dublin’s history. This year, they’ll be part of the first-ever NFL game in Paris, France, with kickoff at 9:30 a.m. Pretty cool for the historic franchise.
While the opponent might not be all that interesting, at least on paper, the Saints have a chance to be really good this season under second-year head coach Kellen Moore. New Orleans has an up-and-coming quarterback in Tyler Shough, added a big-time playmaker in the NFL draft in wide receiver Jordyn Tyson to pair with Chris Olave, and has a strong running backs room with Alvin Kamara (for now) and Travis Etienne.
The offensive line is very good, too.
It will be a charged atmosphere for the Saints and could be a very difficult trip for the Steelers, too, depending on how they handle travel this year. Cameron Heyward wants to go over early again, but that might be tough with a Week 6 road trip to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Still, the Steelers had success last year internationally, while the Saints haven’t gone abroad.
Hopefully that plays to Pittsburgh’s advantage.
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