For the first time since 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers will take the field with someone other than Mike Tomlin leading the sideline. His departure signals the end of one of the NFL's longest coaching tenures, while the Baltimore Ravensalso enter a new chapter following John Harbaugh's departure to become the New York Giants' head coach.
Change has arrived for both organizations, but one thing remains the same. Ravens vs. Steelers is still one of football's fiercest rivalries.
The clubs have met 65 times, including five postseason games, with Pittsburgh holding a 38-27 advantage. The Steelers also swept last season's series, victories that ultimately proved decisive in capturing the AFC North.
If Baltimore hopes to reclaim the division crown, slowing
Pittsburgh's offense will be one of its biggest priorities, and guess what? A future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee still leads the Steelers' offense.
Aaron Rodgers remains the centerpiece
Aaron Rodgers may not be the same quarterback who collected four MVP awards, but he's still capable of directing a winning offense. Entering Year 22, Rodgers reunites with the head coach under whom he won his only Super Bowl, Mike McCarthy, giving Pittsburgh immediate stability during its coaching transition.
Last season, the veteran threw 24 touchdown passes against just seven interceptions while averaging 207.6 passing yards per game and posting a 94.8 passer rating. The Ravens no longer have to prepare for Rodgers' athletic prime, but his experience and decision-making continue to make him one of the league's smartest quarterbacks.
Pittsburgh's offense quietly found consistency
The Steelers weren't among the NFL's elite scoring offenses, but they were productive enough to win games. Pittsburgh averaged 23.4 points per contest in 2025, ranking 15th in the league.
While those numbers won't overwhelm anyone, they illustrate an offense capable of complementing a strong defense without placing unnecessary pressure on the quarterback. Baltimore's defense will need to avoid giving Pittsburgh short fields or easy scoring opportunities, especially in what are often tightly contested rivalry games.
The Steelers protected the football
One reason Pittsburgh consistently stayed competitive was its discipline. The Steelers committed just 15 turnovers all season, tying for fourth-fewest in the NFL.
Rodgers deserves much of the credit, as his willingness to take calculated risks rather than unnecessary ones helped Pittsburgh avoid the mistakes that often swing close games. For a Ravens defense built on creating takeaways, forcing Pittsburgh into uncharacteristic errors could become one of the matchup's defining storylines.
Rodgers makes life difficult on pass rushers
Statistics don't always tell the entire story, but these two work together. The Steelers surrendered only 31 sacks in 2025, one of the league's better marks. More impressively, Pittsburgh allowed quarterbacks to be pressured on just 22.6 percent of dropbacks, the lowest rate in the NFL.
Rodgers also helped his offensive line by releasing the football in an average of just 2.62 seconds, the quickest among starting quarterbacks. Baltimore's pass rush, one of its greatest strengths, may have fewer opportunities to affect the game if Rodgers consistently gets the ball out before pressure can arrive.
Pittsburgh added weapons despite changes
The Steelers reshaped several skill positions this offseason. Kenneth Gainwell departed, but Rico Dowdle arrives to reinforce the running game. Pittsburgh also added veteran receiver Michael Pittman Jr. while drafting promising offensive prospects Max Iheanachor and Germie Bernard.
D.K. Metcalf remains the headliner despite producing career lows with 59 receptions and 850 receiving yards last season after missing two games. Even so, his 850 yards still led Pittsburgh's receivers, while his six touchdown catches reminded everyone he remains one of the league's most physically gifted wideouts.
The Steelers' offense may not be built around explosive statistics, but it remains disciplined, experienced and efficient. If Baltimore wants to reclaim control of the AFC North, disrupting Rodgers' rhythm and forcing Pittsburgh into mistakes will be every bit as important as slowing the team's talented collection of playmakers.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5 Steelers offensive storylines Ravens must watch in 2026
