CROSSROADS: Steelers’ 2026 Outlook Hangs on Aaron Rodgers’ Final Season and Mike McCarthy’s First

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4.6 • 966 Ratings

🗓️ 25 May 2026

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Pittsburgh Steelers reload for a postseason surge as Aaron Rodgers eyes his final campaign in black and gold. Can the energy of young linemen like Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick propel Mike McCarthy’s squad back into the AFC elite, or will the team’s aging superstars present unforeseen roadblocks? Joe Marino and Kyle Crabbs break down impact additions like Michael Pittman Jr., DK Metcalf, and Jaquan Brisker, and evaluate the depth chart’s potential on both sides of the ball. Key topics include TJ Watt’s contract and outlook, the risk and reward of a rapidly changing offensive line, and whether Pittsburgh’s imposing front seven and revamped secondary—featuring Cam Heyward, Jalen Ramsey, and Joey Porter Jr.—can anchor a serious playoff push. With the Steelers’ win total set at just 7.5, the hosts debate whether Pittsburgh is poised to shatter low expectations in 2026.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Do the Pittsburgh Steelers have the roster to compete for a deep playoff run in Mike McCarthy's
0:06.3	first season and Aaron Rogers last season? We're going to explore that right now.
0:15.6	You are locked on NFL scouting with the draft dudes dudes your daily podcast for NFL and college football scouting
0:24.0	part of the locked on podcast network your team every day what's better than this it's guys being dudes
0:33.9	i'm joe marino that's kyle crabs Today's episode is brought to you by Fandul.
0:38.9	Right now, new customers can bet just $5. You get $150 and bonus bets. If your first bet wins,
0:45.5	had to Fanduel.com to get started on today's episode. It's all things Pittsburgh Steelers,
0:52.0	as we assess their roster and get our expectations calibrated
0:57.9	for Pittsburgh in 2026.
0:59.7	Kyle, happy Monday to you.
1:01.7	Happy Monday.
1:02.8	Happy Memorial Day to you.
1:05.1	We are up and rolling pre 6 a.m.
1:07.4	Memorial Day getting it out of the way, right?
1:10.5	Yeah, man. I got the smoker's on. It's got a Boston brand on the world. Let's come back to that in segment three. Dogg of Pittsburgh Steelers here today. Continuing our offseason assessments, this is the start of our second division. And the Steelers, man, just look up and down the roster.
1:28.6	We'll look at their season outlook, win total projections.
1:31.5	We'll look at both sides of the ball.
1:32.8	We're going to start on the offense.
1:34.3	The thing that stands out to me the most about the offense, Joe, is that this is the side of the ball that they chose to give the investments to.
1:42.4	When you think about the first second and third round
1:46.1	draft choices the trade for a wide receiver the addition of another running back to the mix
1:52.4	yeah it really stands out to me just kind of looking at the depth chart the depth of the
	...

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