Pittsburgh Steelers begin 2026 NFL season under head coach Mike McCarthy

The Pittsburgh Steelers open the 2026 regular season next week with Mike McCarthy as the new head coach. Following an active offseason, projections indicate the team could finish with an 11-7 regular-season record. This forecast suggests the club may secure an AFC North title and earn a spot in the playoffs. The schedule includes a Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons followed by a game at the New England Patriots. Analysts anticipate the team will face multiple challenges throughout the year, including divisional games against the Cleveland Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. The team will observe a bye week during Week 9 of the season. Coaches and players are preparing for the upcoming campaign with the objective of advancing beyond their previous playoff positioning.

• 1:48 PMYahoo Sports — Predicting the Steelers wins and losses for the 2026 season