The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2025 NFL season with as much attention on them as any team in the league.
While that is nothing new for the storied franchise that owns six Super Bowl titles, the lack of a playoff win since the 2016 season and addition of four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers over the offseason have put even more pressure on the team to find success.
Even with the noise surrounding the franchise, ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick is confident that Pittsburgh will be a playoff team this season.
“Mike Tomlin is the truth and this is what people are banking on. And I believe they will be a divisional playoff team this year,” Riddick said during an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Wednesday. “I think they will get to that level. I think Aaron (Rodgers) will hit his stride. Him and (offensive coordinator) Arthur (Smith) will find a way to really coexist.”
Tomlin has been as consistent as any coach during his tenure with the Steelers, having never posted a losing record. Despite that, there has been a lot of speculation that he is on the hot seat, something Rodgers quickly dismissed.
Pittsburgh brought in Rodgers on a one-year deal following a rocky two-year stint with the New York Jets that featured a torn left Achilles in the 2023 opener against the Bills and a 2024 season that ended without a playoff appearance and the second-worst QBR (48) of any of Rodgers’ full-time seasons.
Many within the industry have suggested that Rodgers was not the best fit for Smith, but the Steelers OC could not disagree more, instead focusing on the years of experience that Rodgers brings to the team.
The Steelers brought in former Seattle Seahawks WR DK Metcalf over the offseason, giving Rodgers a speedy option down the field. Metcalf averaged at least 15 yards per reception during four of his six seasons with Seattle and topped 1,000 receiving yards three times.
Coming into the 2025 season, the Steelers have the third-best odds to win the AFC North (16 percent) according to ESPN Analytics, trailing the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens have arguably one of the best rosters in the league, while Bengals QB Joe Burrow is coming off a career-year despite missing the playoffs.
Baltimore’s defense allowed the eighth-fewest points per game (21.2) last season, which was an increase from previous seasons. The Bengals were tied with the Las Vegas Raiders for the 25th-most points allowed (25.5). If those areas improve, Pittsburgh’s path out of the AFC North could be even more challenging.
Even though the Steelers have failed to win a playoff game since 2016, they have lost in the wild-card round four of the last five years. If Rodgers can stay healthy throughout the season and withstand the AFC North gauntlet, the Steelers will certainly be battled-tested if they do make the playoffs.
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