After an offseason of change with Mike McCarthy replacing Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers are getting closer to the start of the season. The team wraps up OTAs tomorrow before reporting for training camp on July 28. With NFL offseason workouts nearly done, SI’s Matt Verderame looked at a reason for “hope” and a reason for “mope” for each team.
Verderame is high on Pittsburgh’s offseason acquisitions, believing the new additions are the reasons for hope.
“The roster is stacked after adding corner Jamel Dean, safety Jaquan Brisker and receiver Michael Pittman Jr.,” he writes. “Furthermore, new coach Mike McCarthy brings 174 wins and a Super Bowl ring to Pittsburgh, along with familiarity with quarterback Aaron Rodgers after they spent 13 years together in Green Bay.”
The Steelers finally got a legitimate No. 2 receiver by trading for Pittman, while Dean should start opposite Joey Porter Jr. Brisker is versatile and can play deep or play in the box, and he has the potential to have a big year despite signing a relatively cheap one-year deal.
But in the NFL, most of a team’s success hinges on the play of its quarterback. While McCarthy and Rodgers have familiarity, Verderame is less excited about Rodgers returning, and believes the man under center is the reason for mope.
“Rodgers is 42 and didn’t look the part of a winning quarterback last year, throwing for 3,322 yards on 6.7 yards per attempt,” he writes. “If the Steelers are going to challenge for a title, Rodgers needs to somehow reverse the effects of Father Time for one season.”
Rodgers showed flashes last year and was a big reason the Steelers won the AFC North, but the overall numbers don’t look particularly great. He also got the ball out quickly, and the Steelers’ offense was heavily reliant on yards after the catch. They got help for Rodgers with Pittman, as well as rookie Germie Bernard, whom the team took in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Steelers also beefed up their offensive line by drafting Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker before the end of Day 2.
There’s reason to believe that Rodgers could be better this season, even though he’s a year older. If he struggles, the talented defense and the upgrades on offense won’t matter much, as it’ll be difficult for Pittsburgh to make the playoffs. It’s fair to have concerns about whether or not he’ll be up to task, as Verderame seems to.
But the Steelers’ offseason should provide plenty of reason for hope. They improved their roster, and McCarthy has impressed beat writers with his preparation. All that could culminate in a second straight AFC North title.
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