Pittsburgh
Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are battling a perception problem, struggling to gain national respect despite recent playoff appearances and offseason moves. This sentiment is amplified by Cam Heyward's baffling exclusion from ESPN's top 10 defensive tackle rankings. Heyward, a two-time All-Pro well into his 30s, continues to defy age, yet media polls inexplicably overlook his consistent dominance. This snub follows a similar omission for Joey Porter Jr. from cornerback rankings, highlighting a potential bias against Steelers players in national media assessments. While T.J. Watt made the top 10 edge rushers list at No. 7, a note on his perceived decline underscores the narrative shift around veteran Steelers. This lack of widespread acclaim is reflected in numerous power rankings, where the Steelers consistently land in the bottom half of the league, often ranked below teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, who have a less impressive recent record. Pundits frequently dismiss Pittsburgh's accomplishments, attributing success to coaching or past eras, while overlooking substantial roster improvements and consistent playoff berths, even if wins have been elusive. The Steelers' recent postseason struggles are frequently attributed to defensive breakdowns, but a deeper look reveals an offense that has consistently failed to sustain drives and score points efficiently, putting undue pressure on the defense. The expectation is that new head coach Mike McCarthy will address these offensive deficiencies. Despite the national underestimation, the Steelers possess a significant advantage in the early part of their schedule. This favorable opening stretch presents a crucial opportunity to build momentum and establish a strong foundation for the season. Capitalizing on these early-season matchups will be essential for Pittsburgh to silence doubters and defy the pessimistic national outlook. Fans will also be keeping an eye on the "Redman Award" race for promising late-round draft picks and undrafted free agents during preseason, with Eli Heidenreich, Will Howard, Gabriel Rubio, Carson Bruener, and Max Hurleman identified as early contenders.