Analyst details Steelers' brutal task to repeat as AFC North

TL;DR

The Pittsburgh Steelers face a tough challenge to repeat as AFC North champions after a surprising win last season. With stronger competition from the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, their chances for 2026 look slim.

Key points

Pittsburgh Steelers were AFC North champions last season
Steelers had a 10-7 record and lost in the playoffs
Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals expected to improve

Mentioned in this story

Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh SteelersBaltimore RavensCincinnati Bengals

Analyst details Steelers' brutal task to repeat as AFC North originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were surprisingly AFC North champs last season with Aaron Rodgers under center, but the Steelers weren't seen as genuine contenders.

A 10-7 record saw Pittsburgh be bounced out of the playoffs in the first game, so there likely isn't much hope of the Steelers repeating as champs in 2026.

Why? Because the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals likely won't be "as bad" again, and if both of those teams are firing, Pittsburgh isn't in the same weight class.

But if fans were holding out hope of a division repeat for Pittsburgh, NFL.com's Kevin Patra might have just ended it.

"The Ravens and Bengals each improved this offseason. A new coaching staff in Baltimore should bring life to the team, particularly on defense," Patra wrote. "Cincinnati bolstered a moribund defense significantly. If and stay healthy, 10 wins isn’t taking the division again."

Q&A

What challenges do the Steelers face in repeating as AFC North champions?

The Steelers are likely to struggle against improved competition from the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, who are expected to perform better than last season.

What was the Steelers' record last season?

The Steelers finished last season with a 10-7 record but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Why were the Steelers considered unlikely contenders for the AFC North?

Despite winning the AFC North last season, analysts believe the Steelers lack the depth and talent compared to the Ravens and Bengals, making their chances of repeating slim.