ESPN Predicts Steelers Implosion After 2026
ESPN Says Steelers’ Future Looks Cloudy Despite Young Stars Shining
The Good News: Pittsburgh Is Keeping Its Young Stars
The Pittsburgh Steelers just did something smart: they signed defensive tackle Keeanu Benton to a four-year contract extension. Think of it like locking in a rising star player in a video game before their price goes up.
But Benton isn’t the only one! The Steelers have now signed three players from their 2023 draft class to long-term deals. If they also sign cornerback Joey Porter Jr., that would make four players from the same draft class with big contracts. That’s like a baseball team signing four rookies who all become All-Stars—super rare!
IMPORTANT POINT
Keeping multiple draft picks long-term usually means a team’s front office (the bosses who pick players) did a great job scouting talent. This should signal a bright future.
The Bad News: ESPN’s "Future Power Rankings" Disagree
ESPN just released their "NFL Future Outlook" rankings looking ahead to 2029. They asked four experts to grade all 32 teams on four categories. The Steelers? They landed at 20th overall—dead last in the AFC North.
The Expert Panel:
- Ben Solak
- Aaron Schatz
- Louis Riddick
- Seth Walder
How ESPN Graded the Teams (The Report Card)
Imagine a report card with four main subjects. Here’s how Pittsburgh scored:
| Category | Rank | Score | Teacher’s Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | 32nd (Last!) | 59.25 | "Disastrous" |
| Coaching | 31st | 69.5 | Needs improvement |
| Front Office | 27th | — | Below average |
| Roster (non-QB) | Best category | — | "Only bright spot" |
KEY TAKEAWAY
The Steelers did not rank inside the top 20 in ANY single category. Their best grade was for the roster excluding quarterback.
Why So Low? The Quarterback Mystery
Louis Riddick (former NFL executive and current analyst) pulled no punches:
"There seems to be no end in sight when it comes to an answer for Pittsburgh’s QB situation."
The QB Carousel of Recent Years
The Steelers have tried multiple "solutions" that didn’t work:
- Kenny Pickett (1st round pick, traded away)
- Russell Wilson (former Super Bowl winner, didn’t pan out)
- Justin Fields (athletic QB, inconsistent)
- Other "reclamation projects" (players other teams gave up on)
It’s like trying to fix a leaky faucet with duct tape, chewing gum, and hope—nothing holds water.
Other Red Flags: An Aging Roster
Even beyond quarterback, the experts spotted problems:
- Oldest Defensive Backs in NFL – Average age 29.1 years (like having a high school team where everyone is a senior)
- 3rd Oldest Receivers – Average age 28 years
- Front Office Ranked 27th – The decision-makers get low marks too
Ben Solak did mention hope: Omar Khan’s recent draft picks and talented players "in the trenches" (offensive/defensive linemen). But Aaron Schatz warned the roster should only "soften the inevitable transition awaiting the Steelers after consistent mediocrity in recent years."
How They Stack Up Against Rivals
| Team | Rank | Score | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Seahawks | 1st | 88.7 | Best future |
| Baltimore Ravens | 9th | 83.7 | Strong |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 17th | 79.4 | Middle |
| Cleveland Browns | — | 71.6 | Better than Steelers |
| New York Jets | — | 71.3 | Better than Steelers |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 20th | ~70 | Concerning |
| Arizona Cardinals | — | 69.9 | Worse |
| Miami Dolphins | — | 70.3 | Worse |
Only TWO teams rank lower: Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. Even the Browns and Jets—teams Steelers fans love to mock—are viewed as having brighter futures!
What’s Next? The Mike McCarthy Factor
The article mentions Mike McCarthy looking to "prove the doubters wrong and find the Steelers their next franchise quarterback to set the team up for over a decade."
NOTE
Mike McCarthy is currently the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach. The Steelers’ coach is Mike Tomlin. This appears to be an error in the original report, but we’re preserving it as written.
Summary
- Good: Steelers locked up 3 (maybe 4) 2023 draft picks long-term—rare and smart
- Bad: ESPN’s expert panel ranks them 20th in future outlook (2029 horizon)
- Biggest Problem: Quarterback situation graded "disastrous" (last in NFL)
- Other Issues: Oldest DBs, 3rd oldest WRs, front office ranked 27th, coaching 31st
- Only Bright Spot: Roster talent (excluding QB) is their best category
- Embarrassing: Only Dolphins and Cardinals rank worse; Browns and Jets rank higher
FAQ
1. What does "future outlook" actually mean?
It’s ESPN’s prediction of how competitive each team will be through 2029 based on roster age, quarterback stability, coaching, front office, and draft capital. Think of it as a "5-year stock forecast" for NFL teams.
2. Why is the QB grade so low if they have Russell Wilson/Justin Fields?
The grading happened before 2024 season, and the experts see a pattern: Pittsburgh keeps trying veteran "band-aids" instead of developing a long-term franchise QB. They want a 10-year answer, not a 1-year rental.
3. Is it fair to rank the Steelers below the Browns and Jets?
That’s the debate! The experts weigh long-term stability heavily. Cleveland has Deshaun Watson (controversial but under contract long-term) and New York has Aaron Rodgers (short-term) but more draft assets. Pittsburgh has neither certainty nor high draft picks.
4. Can the Steelers fix this quickly?
Yes—one great draft pick at QB changes everything. If they hit on a rookie quarterback in 2025 or 2026, this ranking flips fast. The young defensive talent (Benton, Porter Jr., etc.) gives them a foundation most bad teams lack.
5. Should Steelers fans panic?
No. These are projections, not destiny. The 2023 draft class succeeding is real, tangible progress. But the QB question is the single biggest factor in NFL success—ignoring it would be like ignoring a check engine light on a road trip.
What do you think? Are the experts too harsh on Pittsburgh, or is the QB concern warranted? Let us know in the comments!
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