The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a strong start in the 2025–2026 season with a 4–2 record. They are currently in first place in the AFC North and have a clear path to the playoffs. Their offense has been a major strength this year, but their defense has struggled at times.

Much of the team has changed since last season. Several new players have joined the roster, and one of the biggest changes is at quarterback. Aaron Rodgers, a longtime NFL veteran, is now leading the offense and already has a strong connection with star wide receiver DK Metcalf.

This connection has helped the Steelers become one of the top offensive teams in the league. Rodgers has thrown for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns so far. Metcalf leads the team in receiving yards and has scored four touchdowns. The running backs, Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, are also helping to move the ball down the field.

ESPN analyst Marcus Spears said, “Rodgers and Metcalf have quickly become one of the most dangerous QB-WR tandems in the league” (ESPN, October 14, 2025)

While the offense is putting up points, the defense hasn’t been as reliable. The team is giving up over 20 points per game, and they’ve had trouble stopping big plays. The secondary, in particular, has struggled to keep up with fast receivers.

NFL.com writer Gregg Rosenthal pointed out, “It’s surprising, honestly. The defense is usually Pittsburgh’s calling card, but right now it’s the weak link” (NFL.com, October 17, 2025).

Part of the issue is that the defense also includes many new players. Injuries have also made it harder for them to stay consistent. T.J. Watt remains a key piece of the defense, but he can’t do it all by himself. The team will need to improve this area if they want to go deep in the playoffs.

Still, Pittsburgh is far ahead of the other teams in their division. The Browns, Bengals and Ravens all have at least 5 losses, while the Steelers are only cruising along with only 2. The Steelers are heading into the second half of the season with a huge advantage.

Rodgers said, “We’ve got what it takes to win this division and more. But we’ve got to clean up the mistakes” (Steelers Press Conference, October 19, 2025).