"Bengals are going to be better": Skip Bayless delivers damning Steelers playoff verdict under Aaron Rodgers
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2026 season with plenty of expectations, but not everyone is convinced they'll be back in the playoffs. For ESPN and FS1 personality Skip Bayless had recently shared strong doubts about Pittsburgh's chances while appearing on The Arena podcast on June 18.
Bayless revealed that the Steelers stumbled into the playoffs thanks to a missed 40-yard field goal by the Baltimore Ravens, only to lose at home 30-6, with QB Aaron Rodgers playing poorly in the contest.
“Now you're telling me they're just gonna magically be back in the playoffs in that division? The Bengals are going to be way better. The Ravens are going to be way, WAY better. And the Steelers are the odd man out,” said Bayless.
May 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) participates in OTA drills at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
May 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) participates in OTA drills at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
USA Today Power Rankings by Nate Davis on June 19 recently placed the Bengals ninth ( as Joe Burrow is fully healthy and better defense) and the Ravens eleventh (better defense and more dynamic offensive scheme this season) in its NFL power ranking, while Pittsburgh came in at nineteenth rank, a drop from last season's 15th rank.
Bayless is not sold on the Steelers going to the playoffs, as he revealed on the podcast.
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers, under the guidance of his new head coach Mike McCarthy, is set to lead the offense, while wide recievers Michael Pittman Jr. joins DK Metcalf to strengthen the receiving corps.
Whether those additions are enough to change the outlook remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers as training camp approaches.
Could the Steelers lose 3 key veterans before the season begins?
Aaron Rodger may be locked in as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback, but several players around him are entering the training camp with their roster spots still up for decision.
According to Marca, running back Kaleb Johnson, wide receiver Roman Wilson, and quarterback Mason Rudolph are players whose futures could still be worth watching as the roster decision approaches.
With Younger options getting opportunities during the offseason work, Mason Rudolph's spot is no longer viewed as guaranteed.
“His experience, including multiple starts and postseason appearances with Pittsburgh, still gives him value around the league as a potential backup option,” as per the 20 June publication of Marca.
Johnson's uphill battle is complicated by the presence of versatile rookie Eli Heidenreich, a special teams standout out of Navy who threatens to steal the final available backfield spot. Rico Dowdle will also be competing for the backfield stop.
For now, all remains on the roster. But as camp opens and Rodgers begins preparing for each could be his final season, competition behind the scenes could lead to some unexpected moves before Week 1.
Read more at the Cincinnati Bengals Community!
Written by
Debanjali Rakshit
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi