Steelers Tryouts Colton Dowell NFL Fine System waivers
Steelers Tryouts Colton Dowell NFL Fine System waivers
Tomorrow, the full list of staff predictions for the 2026 Steelers will be posted on the site. After Ross McCorkle and I gave a sneak peek at our predictions on The Depot Dive earlier this week, I figured I would put them here with more explanation.
RECORD: 10-7
I have the Steelers starting off the Mike McCarthy era with another 10-win season. I thought about 11, but the schedule just looks too difficult to find that extra win. The stretch from Weeks 10-15 gives me pause, and I think it caps this team at 10 wins.
DIVISION STANDING: SECOND
There’s a lot of hype about the Bengals this season, as there always is. But I see a third-place finish coming from Cincinnati, with the Ravens winning the division, Pittsburgh in second, and the Browns predictably in last. I think Baltimore will have a nice resurgence this year under Jesse Minter.
PLAYOFFS/PLAYOFF FINISH
At 10-7, I have the Steelers making the playoffs, and I also have them breaking their playoff win drought, though I only see them winning one game before bowing out in the divisional round. The AFC has a lot of top-end talent, and while this Steelers roster is one of the best in years, I’m hard-pressed to see them making a conference championship game.
I did think about it, largely because of the momentum factor. In Aaron Rodgers’ last season, if the Steelers get one win, could they then ride that wave of momentum into more? It’s something I did consider, but ultimately went with my gut.
STAT PREDICTIONS
I believe Aaron Rodgers will throw for more than 3,500 yards, boosting his yardage total from last season. Staying on the optimistic side, I have T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig combining for 34 sacks this year. I got there with 14 sacks from Watt, 11 from Highsmith and nine from Herbig. Predicting exact stats is obviously not easy, but I do think those three will surpass 30 combined sacks.
I also believe that Jaylen Warren will lead the team in scrimmage yards. I think Rico Dowdle finishes with more rushing yards, but Warren will work as the third-down back and see more opportunities in the passing game, where he can excel. I also have DK Metcalf leading the team in touchdowns. I’m predicting a big season from Metcalf and believe double-digit touchdowns is very much in the realm of possibility.
Finally, I have Germie Bernard finishing with more yards this season than Roman Wilson. Every training camp, we hear positive things about Wilson that fail to translate to the regular season. Until he proves otherwise, I’m going with Bernard to end the year as Pittsburgh’s WR3 after an impressive showing in the preseason.