Former NFL quarterback turned ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky
doesn’t appear to be buying into any hype surrounding the revamped Pittsburgh Steelers heading into the 2026 season.During ESPN’s NFL schedule release coverage, Orlovsky gave a brutally pessimistic outlook on Pittsburgh’s chances this season, particularly once the schedule turns difficult after the bye week.
“Find a win after the bye week,” Orlovsky said.
He then doubled down with an even harsher assessment of the Steelers’ late-season stretch.
“Find a win after the bye week. If you’re Pittsburgh, find the win. Cincy? You’re not beating Cincy at Cincy. You’re not beating Philly at Philly. You’re not beating Denver. You’re not beating Houston. You’re not beating Jacksonville. You’re not beating Baltimore. I understand seven of their first nine are non-playoff teams, but I sit here and look at this Steelers team, and we don’t know who they’re gonna be under Mike McCarthy and if Aaron’s gonna be the guy.”
Orlovsky continued by predicting the Steelers could be headed toward one of their worst seasons in decades.
“I continuously believe he will. Five, six wins… They’ve had two top 10 picks since 1990. It’s not normal. But if you go into that bye week and you don’t have a banked set of wins, that’s a brutal final nine… I don’t see easy wins early on. I don’t see any wins late.”
This also isn’t the first time Orlovsky has gone out on a limb with a bleak prediction involving Pittsburgh. During last year’s schedule release, he famously said, “I think they’re looking at 0-6 with Mason,” referring to quarterback Mason Rudolph. That prediction obviously didn’t come close to materializing – and was before Aaron Rodgers officially entered the fold.
The Steelers enter 2026 with numerous changes and uncertainty, yet also havelegitimate reasons for optimism. New head coach Mike McCarthy takes over as the franchise looks to modernize its offense. Pittsburgh also added veteran playmakers Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle this offseason, while most draft analysts viewed the team’s rookie class favorably.
Still, Orlovsky clearly believes the combination of a brutal second-half schedule, a new coaching staff, and questions surrounding Rodgers’ level of play could make for a rough year in Pittsburgh. Whether that prediction proves accurate or becomes another cold take remains to be seen, but Orlovsky certainly isn’t afraid to stake out an unpopular position when it comes to the Steelers.
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