The Pittsburgh Steelers begin the 2026 season in a familiar place. Playoff contenders with a roster filled with veterans ready to win now. New head coach Mike McCarthy is the biggest change, but the team added offensive firepower in Michael Pittman Jr and Rico Dowdle. Aaron Rodgers is set for one last run at a Lombardi, but what is something that needs to change for the Steelers?
Defensively, the Steelers are loaded. Despite the Joey Porter Jr negotiations, the defense boasts impressive names, and opposing offenses know this. Offenses know the ball has to come out quickly, and the Steelers face the second-fastest time to throw against and the third-lowest average depth of target against while having the fifth-fastest time to pressure.
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Teams are going to continue to throw the ball quickly, which would necessitate good tackling on the outside from the defensive backs. Putting teams in third-and-long situations will let those pass rushers have some fun. The change needs to be on early downs for the Steelers.
For now, here is Thursday’s Three Rivers Report.
Everyone loves a good survivor pool, but what about competing with Jarrett Bailey and former Steelers coach Todd Haley?
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