Can the Steelers Avoid Existential Dread in 2026?

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There is perhaps no greater enigma this season than the Pittsburgh Steelers. On one hand, you've got an offense with a ton of promise at the skill positions and along the line. On the other, you've got an offense being weighed down by its aging, one-time-superstar quarterback. On one hand, you've got a defense loaded with star talent. On the other, you've got a defense that is getting very old. Can these Steelers finally find a way to stop being Wild Card weekend cannon fodder for superior teams in the AFC? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman preview the 2026 Steelers on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

0:00 Welcome to the show
0:11 Offseason in 60 seconds
0:39 What are you excited to watch?
0:49 Patrick Graham & defensive talent
4:40 Offensive line
4:55 Max Iheanachor
8:31 Rico Dowdle
9:15 What are you monitoring the first month of the season?
9:25 Joey Porter Jr
14:06 Michael Pittman Jr
15:38 Mike McCarthy's offense
16:34 What's keeping you up at night?
17:14 Aaron Rodgers
19:12 We're getting existential
23:40 What does success look like in 2026?

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