Steelers Now
Once again, another analyst has delivered a harsh reality check regarding the Steelers’ outlook.
Speaking on Pittsburgh’s playoff chances, Skip Bayless didn’t hold back:
“They stumbled into the back door of the playoffs thanks to a missed 40-yard field goal by the Baltimore Ravens. Then they lost at home 30-6 to your Super Bowl pick, and Aaron Rodgers stunk in that game. Now you’re telling me they’re just magically going to be back in the playoffs in that division? The Bengals are going to be better. The Ravens are going to be way, way better. The Steelers are the odd man out unless you’re trying to tell me they sneak in at 10-7 again, and I don’t think they’re doing that.”
Bayless has also been one of the most vocal critics of Pittsburgh’s decision to hire Mike McCarthy, so his skepticism toward the Steelers’ 2026 outlook shouldn’t come as a surprise.
He’s far from alone. Analysts such as Stephen A. Smith and Colin Cowherd have repeatedly questioned the organization’s direction, criticizing everything from the continued reliance on Aaron Rodgers to what many perceive as a growing sense of organizational complacency. For years, national media members have argued that Pittsburgh continues to chase short-term fixes rather than embracing meaningful change.
One point Bayless failed to mention, however, is that the Steelers did make a concerted effort to improve their offense. Additions such as Michael Pittman Jr., Jeremy Bernard, and Rico Dowdle should provide more support around Rodgers than he had a season ago. The question is whether those moves genuinely raise Pittsburgh’s ceiling or simply improve the floor of an offense still being led by a 42-year-old quarterback behind an offensive line with plenty left to prove.
And while Bayless’ comments may sound harsh, he does raise a fair concern. One of the biggest red flags surrounding this team remains the offense. Pittsburgh looked stagnant and overwhelmed during its playoff loss to Houston, managing just six points in a game that exposed many of the same issues that plagued the unit throughout the season.Either way, something has to give. Will Rodgers somehow turn back the clock and guide Pittsburgh back to the postseason? Or will the concerns that analysts have been raising for months finally catch up to the Steelers and leave them on the outside looking in? The 2026 season may ultimately answer some uncomfortable questions about where this organization truly stands.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Skip Bayless Gives Harsh Assessment of Steelers’ Playoff Chances
