Report: Saints to face high-profile AFC North team in 2026 Paris game

Here's a bit of a surprise. French outlets reported it would be the Cleveland Browns competing against the New Orleans Saints in Paris earlier this year, but instead it's looking like another AFC North team will take their place. The Athletic's Mike DeFabo reports the Pittsburgh Steelers will be designated as the "away" team for the Saints' upcoming "home" game at the famed Stade de France. There's no official word yet, but the game has been reportedly scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 25, which would fall during Week 7. Last year's game across the border in Berlin, Germany kicked off at 8:30 a.m. CT so it's a good bet the NFL is eyeing the same window this time.

Maybe it was going to be the Browns and all of France was waiting to see if Aaron Rodgers felt like playing football this year, and when he made his decision, the NFL schedule-makers pivoted. Maybe not (Rodgers has continued to drag out the saga despite the Steelers placing a tender on him). Either way, the Saints are set to kick off the league's first ever game in Paris against one of pro football's most storied franchises.

New Orleans owns the all-time lead in this series 9-8, powered by three consecutive wins from 2010 to 2018. The Saints fell short in a 2022 road game 20-10 with Andy Dalton at quarterback; he was outdueled by rookie Steelers QB , who rushed for 51 yards and a pivotal touchdown on the afternoon. That loss bumped the Saints down to 3-7 on the year and effectively put the NFC South title out of reach. The Saints have done well overseas with International Series wins over the San Diego Chargers in 2008 and in 2017, but they lost to the by a field goal in 2022. The Steelers are 1-1 in international matchups, having beaten the Vikings 24-21 in Dublin, Ireland last year to get some payback for their loss to those same Vikings back in 2013 at London, England's Wembley Stadium.