ESPN’s Shocking Prediction: Steelers Collapse After 2026
Steelers’ Future Looks Bright on Paper, But ESPN Sees Storm Clouds Ahead
The Quick Version (TL;DR)
The Pittsburgh Steelers just locked up a key young player and have a strong group of recent draft picks. But ESPN’s expert panel just ranked them near the bottom of the NFL for future success. The main problem? Nobody knows who will be throwing the football.
The Good News: Building a Young Core
The Steelers are doing something smart: keeping their best young players.
- Keeanu Benton signed a four-year contract extension over the weekend
- He’s the third player from the 2023 draft class to get a long-term deal
- If cornerback Joey Porter Jr. gets extended too, that would be four players from one draft class — something that almost never happens
Think of it like this: Imagine a teacher who picks four students for a special project, and all four turn out to be superstars. That’s what the Steelers might have done with their 2023 picks.
The Bad News: ESPN’s "Future Power Rankings"
ESPN asked four experts to grade all 32 NFL teams on where they’ll be through 2029. They looked at four categories:
| Category | Steelers Rank | Score | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | 32nd (Last) | 59.25 | "Disastrous" |
| Coaching | 31st | 69.5 | — |
| Front Office | 27th | — | — |
| Roster (non-QB) | 20th | — | Best grade |
Overall Rank: 20th in the NFL
The Expert Panel
- Ben Solak
- Aaron Schatz
- Louis Riddick
- Seth Walder
Why So Low? The Quarterback Black Hole
"There seems to be no end in sight when it comes to an answer for Pittsburgh’s QB situation."
— Louis Riddick, ESPN Analyst
The experts see a graveyard of failed quarterback experiments:
- Kenny Pickett (1st round pick, didn’t work out)
- Russell Wilson (veteran signing, didn’t work out)
- Justin Fields (trade acquisition, didn’t work out)
- Multiple other "reclamation projects" that flopped
Other Red Flags
- Oldest defensive back group in the NFL (average age 29.1)
- Third-oldest receiver group (average age 28)
- Consistent mediocrity in recent years — not bad enough to draft high, not good enough to win big
The Silver Linings (Yes, There Are Some)
Even the critics found positives:
- Omar Khan’s drafting has been strong lately
- Talent in the trenches (offensive & defensive line) is real
- The non-QB roster ranked 20th — middle of the pack, not terrible
- Young players like Benton and Porter Jr. give a foundation to build on
Ben Solak’s take: The current roster should "soften the inevitable transition awaiting the Steelers after consistent mediocrity in recent years." Translation: The team won’t completely collapse while they figure out the QB mess.
How Bad Is It Really? The "Aaron Rodgers Darkness Retreat" Bad
ESPN’s colorful comparison: If it already felt like the Steelers were in dark times, ESPN imagines them in an Aaron Rodgers darkness retreat you can’t escape.
Teams Ranked WORSE Than Pittsburgh:
- Miami Dolphins — 70.3
- Arizona Cardinals — 69.9
Teams Ranked BETTER Than Pittsburgh:
- Cleveland Browns — 71.6
- New York Jets — 71.3
- Cincinnati Bengals — 79.4 (17th)
- Baltimore Ravens — 83.7 (9th)
The Gold Standard:
- Seattle Seahawks — 88.7 (Ranked #1 through 2029)
What Happens Next? The Mike McCarthy Mission
The article closes with this note: Mike McCarthy looks to prove the doubters wrong and find the Steelers their next franchise quarterback to set the team up for over a decade.
Important Note: Mike McCarthy is currently the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach. The Steelers’ head coach is Mike Tomlin, and their GM is Omar Khan. This appears to be an error in the original reporting.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Steelers are keeping their young talent (Benton, Porter Jr., etc.)
- Recent draft classes look strong — rare to hit on 4 players from one class
- Quarterback situation graded "disastrous" — worst in NFL
- Coaching ranked 31st — only one team lower
- Front office ranked 27th — bottom quarter of league
- Oldest secondary in football — major rebuild needed soon
- Everything hinges on finding a franchise QB — without one, nothing else matters
Summary
The Pittsburgh Steelers have built a nice young foundation through the draft. Keeanu Benton’s extension is the latest proof. If Joey Porter Jr. stays long-term, that’s four starters from one draft — a home run.
But.
ESPN’s experts don’t care about the foundation if the roof is missing. And the roof — the quarterback position — is a gaping hole. With the worst QB grade in football, the 31st-ranked coaching grade, and an aging defense, the Steelers sit 20th in "future outlook" rankings. Only Miami and Arizona look worse.
The path forward is simple to state, hard to execute: Find a franchise quarterback. Until they do, every other good move is just rearranging deck chairs.
FAQ
Why did ESPN rank the Steelers so low if they have good young players?
Because in the NFL, quarterback is everything. You can have 10 Pro Bowlers, but without a competent QB, you won’t win consistently. The experts see zero clarity at that position.
Is the Steelers’ coaching really the 2nd-worst in the NFL?
That’s what the panel graded. It likely reflects: offensive struggles, inability to develop QBs, and recent playoff futility (0 wins since 2016). Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season, but the grade looks forward, not backward.
Who is the Steelers’ QB right now?
As of this ranking, the depth chart includes Justin Fields, Russell Wilson (unsigned), and Kyle Allen. None are viewed as long-term answers.
Can the Steelers fix this in the 2025 draft?
Maybe. But they pick in the middle of the first round (not high enough for top QB prospects usually). They’d need to trade up — which costs future picks.
Why are the Browns and Jets ranked higher despite their own QB issues?
Both teams have elite defenses and more offensive talent around the QB position. The panel trusts their rosters to compete if they solve QB. Pittsburgh’s roster (outside the lines) is older and thinner.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!