Former Steelers safety and Super Bowl XLIII champion Ryan Clark just dropped a truth bomb on ESPN’s NFL Live, predicting Pittsburgh won't take a major leap in 2026. Forget challenging the AFC elite, Clark sees them closer to the middle of the NFL pack, even with Aaron Rodgers under center.
Aaron Rodgers: Floor Raiser, Not Game Changer?
Clark was asked what he thinks the Steelers' ceiling is heading into Mike McCarthy's first season as head coach, and his answer was clear: Aaron Rodgers is a huge upgrade, no doubt. The future Hall of Famer, with his significant experience and four NFL MVP awards, brings that high-level quarterback play everyone hopes for after reuniting with McCarthy this offseason. Rodgers can absolutely raise the team's floor, stabilizing the offense in a big way. But does he transform them into a legitimate championship contender? Clark isn't buying it. He said, "I think they can be slightly above average. Aaron Rodgers can get this team to nine wins or 10 wins and you maybe sneak into the playoffs or you’re fighting for a wild card." That's a solid season for many teams, but for a squad adding a legend like Rodgers, it might feel a little...underwhelming for fans hoping for a Super Bowl push.Roster Holes and Defensive Doubts Remain
Clark didn't pull any punches when talking about the rest of the roster. While they've made notable additions, like Michael Pittman Jr. at wideout, Clark believes there are still too many questions for Pittsburgh to consistently compete with the conference's true top teams. He went right at it: "Nobody expects this team to compete with some of the top rosters in the AFC. This team offensively still has holes. This team defensively has to get better on the second level at the linebacker position." That's a direct shot at the overall offensive depth and the linebacker unit, which has to take a serious step forward under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The sentiment around the league, apparently, is that a few key additions aren't enough to fix deeper issues. So, where does this leave Pittsburgh for the 2026 season? Despite those glaring concerns, Clark did acknowledge that Rodgers' presence alone gives them a shot to stay in the playoff hunt. A nine- or 10-win season would definitely put the Steelers squarely in the mix for an AFC Wild Card berth. But, as Clark pointed out, that still falls short of the true Super Bowl expectations for the conference's elite. Whether the Steelers can actually exceed Clark's "slightly above average" projection boils down to two huge things: how fast Rodgers builds chemistry with his new weapons, and if that defense can get back to being one of the NFL’s most consistent units all season long. Get ready, it's gonna be a ride to see if they prove him wrong!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.