Confidence is growing inside the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room as the team prepares for the 2026 season, and veteran cornerback Jamel Dean believes the roster has what it takes to make a serious run at the Super Bowl.
Dean, who won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 2020 season, drew a comparison between his current Steelers team and the Buccaneers squad that ultimately captured the Lombardi Trophy.
“This team right here reminds me of that team we had in Tampa, when we won the
Super Bowl,” Dean said. “Like, we got all the pieces that we need,” he told El Podcast Immaculado, the Steelers official Spanish podcast.
The Steelers have emphasized experience while also adding younger talent to a roster that is expected to carry significant expectations this season. Dean believes that combination could prove to be one of the team’s biggest strengths.
“We got veteran guys that understand the game, that knows what it takes to get there,” Dean said. “And we also got younger guys that’s bonding to the system, and they’re also coming along to make plays too.”
Dean’s perspective carries added weight given his experience with a championship team in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers entered the 2020 season with a mix of established veterans and emerging talent before putting together a postseason run that culminated in a dominant Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Pittsburgh is hoping its own blend of veterans and young players can produce a similar result.
The Steelers have made significant investments in their roster, particularly on defense, while also adding veteran pieces and young talent on the offensive side of the ball. With expectations rising around new head coach Mike McCarthy and a veteran-led roster, the team’s ultimate goal is no secret.
Dean, however, believes the foundation is already in place.
For a player who has experienced firsthand what it takes to go from a talented roster to a championship team, his assessment is notable: the Steelers believe they have the pieces to make a Super Bowl run.
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