The first half of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ schedule isn’t especially difficult. It’s the part many think the Steelers need to pass with flying colors if they’ll have any hope of contending in 2026. However, that stretch does include one game that has some logistical complications, as the Steelers will travel to Paris to play the New Orleans Saints in Week 7.
Each team handles travel plans a little differently when it comes to international games, which are becoming more of a norm in the NFL. If it was up to Cam Heyward, he’d have the Steelers travel to France especially early.
“I don’t know how McCarthy and staff are gonna do it. But we’ll be ready. Personally, I’d like to fly as soon as we can to Paris, get settled in. I definitely think we flew a little bit earlier last time around, to Ireland, which I think benefitted us,” Heyward said Thursday on his Not Just Football podcast. “I wish we would go the whole week. Like, I think it only serves the game better, if we go there earlier.”
The way Pittsburgh has handled these international games in the past has been interesting. Over a decade ago, the Steelers went to London to play Minnesota and arrived very shortly before the game began. To put it bluntly, things didn’t go well.
They took a slightly different approach to the Ireland game last year. The Steelers went overseas on the Thursday before the game, giving the players slightly more time to get acclimated. With what felt like a home crowd behind them, the Steelers got out of the gates hot and held on to beat Minnesota.
Both those games were under Mike Tomlin, so it will be interesting to see how Mike McCarthy handles the situation, someone who’s never coached an international game before. With the international slate seemingly increasing year by year, it might be something the Steelers have to get comfortable doing. Especially with some speculation about them potentially playing in Mexico City in the next few years.
Overall, there are plenty of different ways the Steelers can handle their trip to Paris. And Pittsburgh will have a game in Tampa Bay the week before. But if it was up to Heyward, the Steelers would travel overseas early to prepare.
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