The Pittsburgh Steelers have opened the 2026 season with a 5-2 record, but their early success has not convinced everyone that they are legitimate contenders in the AFC.
Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner is among those expressing skepticism, pointing to Pittsburgh’s offensive limitations as a potential obstacle to making a deep postseason run.
Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, Warner questioned whether the Steelers can generate enough points to keep pace with the AFC’s top offenses,
particularly as the competition intensifies over the second half of the season.
“When you look at the AFC and the teams that are going to be around, they can all score points,” Warner said.
“That’s the challenge for the Steelers right now, is how do you score points?”
Warner’s concerns center on Pittsburgh’s ability to sustain drives and consistently finish possessions with touchdowns. While the Steelers have managed to win games, their offensive production has raised questions about whether they can keep up with teams capable of putting points on the board in bunches.
“Any defense would line up against a team that has to go 10-12 plays per drive to score a touchdown,” Warner said.
The issue becomes particularly concerning when considering Pittsburgh’s struggles to establish a consistent rushing attack near the goal line. Warner notes that the Steelers have scored just one rushing touchdown all season, an indication of the difficulties they have experienced turning offensive opportunities into points on the ground.
The Steelers’ 5-2 record provides a strong foundation heading into the remainder of the season, but Warner’s criticism highlights the difference between winning games and developing into a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Pittsburgh’s defense can help keep games competitive, but the offense will likely need to demonstrate greater consistency and scoring ability to compete with the conference’s elite.
For Pittsburgh, the challenge is straightforward: turn its winning start into an offense capable of matching the firepower of the teams it hopes to beat in January.
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