Sports commentator Skip Bayless isn't convinced that the Pittsburgh Steelers are headed in the right direction. He questioned whether they can repeat their success from last season in a tougher AFC North race in 2026.

During a recent discussion about Pittsburgh's playoff outlook on The Arena: Gridiron, Bayless pointed to the way the Steelers had reached the postseason last year with Aaron Rodgers as quarterback.

“They stumbled into the back door of the playoffs thanks to a missed 40-yard field goal by the Baltimore Ravens,” Bayless said on June 19. “Then they lost at home 30-6 to your Super Bowl pick, and Aaron Rodgers stunk in that game.”

The comments came after an offseason that saw Pittsburgh make several moves to improve the situation around Rodgers. The Steelers added Michael Pittman Jr., Germie Bernard, and Rico Dowdle under new head coach Mike McCarthy.

But Bayless firmly believes that continuing the season with Rodgers will make the tussle even more difficult for the Steelers, despite these offseason moves.

"Now you're telling me they are just gonna magically be back in the playoffs in that division?" Bayless said.

The sports commentator and analyst argued that the division could be even more challenging this season. Both the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals are expected to remain strong contenders, with Pittsburgh being "the odd man out".

“The Bengals are going to be better. The Ravens are going to be way, way better. The Steelers are the odd man out unless you're trying to tell me they sneak in at 10-7 again,” Bayless added.

The Steelers finished 10-7 in 2025 and returned to the playoffs, but their season ended with a 30-6 Wild Card loss to Houston, exposing several issues that lingered throughout the year.

With Rodgers entering his 40s, skepticism is also rising around the Steelers' division prospects. But Pittsburgh will have an opportunity to answer those questions once the 2026 campaign begins.

Was Aaron Rodgers the Toughest Quarterback of His Era?

Aaron Rodgers built his reputation on one of the strongest arms the NFL has ever seen. But former Chicago Bears star Brian Urlacher believes there was another reason the quarterback was so difficult to defend against.

Speaking to DJ Siddiqi of Ratings, the Hall of Fame linebacker called Rodgers the toughest quarterback he faced during his career, pointing to the way the four-time MVP moved inside the pocket.

“[Rodgers] was one of the first guys who just moved around to manipulate the pocket and then threw the ball down the field,” Urlacher said June 13.

According to SB Nation, Urlacher explained that most quarterbacks would take off and run in those situations. But Rodgers would extend the play and still look for a big throw downfield.

The former Bears linebacker ever placed Rodgers ahead of every other legendary quarterback he faced.

“I played Peyton maybe two or three times, I think Tom (Brady) as well,” Urlacher said June 13. “Aaron was the biggest pain in the a**.”

Now entering his first season with the Steelers, Rodgers is no longer the same athlete he was during his Green Bay prime. Still, Urlacher believes the veteran quarterback remains dangerous.

“He's got a great arm and can still sling it,” Urlacher said June 13. “I guarantee he wants nothing less than a Super Bowl. In his mind, it'll be Super Bowl or bust.”

For Pittsburgh, the challenge now is turning that experience into results in one of the NFL's toughest divisions.

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Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit