Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark doesn’t expect Pittsburgh to take a major leap forward in 2026, believing the team remains closer to the middle of the NFL pack than the AFC’s elite contenders.
Appearing on ESPN’s NFL Live, the Super Bowl XLIII champion was asked what he believes the Steelers’ ceiling is entering Mike McCarthy’s first season as head coach. Clark pointed to veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers as someone capable of raising the team’s floor, but not necessarily transforming Pittsburgh into a legitimate championship contender.
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“I think they can be slightly above average,” Clark said. “Aaron Rodgers can get this team to nine wins or 10 wins and you maybe sneak into the playoffs or you’re fighting for a wild card.”
The Steelers are hoping Rodgers can provide stability and high-level quarterback play after an offseason that saw the future Hall of Famer reunite with former head coach Mike McCarthy. While Rodgers brings significant experience and four NFL MVP awards to the offense, Clark believes the roster still has too many questions to consistently compete with the conference’s top teams.
“Nobody expects this team to compete with some of the top rosters in the AFC,” Clark said. “This team offensively still has holes. This team defensively has to get better on the second level at the linebacker position.”
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Clark’s comments echo a common sentiment surrounding the Steelers entering the season. Pittsburgh has made several notable additions, including Michael Pittman Jr. at wideout. However, questions remain about the team’s overall offensive depth and whether the linebacker unit can take a step forward under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Despite those concerns, Clark acknowledged Rodgers’ presence gives the Steelers a chance to remain in the playoff hunt. A nine- or 10-win season would likely put Pittsburgh squarely in the mix for an AFC Wild Card berth, though it would fall short of the expectations many have for the conference’s true Super Bowl contenders.
Whether the Steelers can exceed Clark’s “slightly above average” projection will likely depend on how quickly Rodgers develops chemistry with his new weapons and whether Pittsburgh’s defense can return to being one of the NFL’s most consistent units over the course of the 2026 season.
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