On paper, the beginning of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 schedule seems to be much less daunting than the top. However Dan Orlovsky thinks Pittsburgh might nonetheless start with a traditionally ugly skid. Weighing in on the Steelers’ schedule, Orlovsky supplied a daring take.
“No. I believe you’re gazing 0-6 within the face,” Orlovsky mentioned on ESPN’s schedule response present when requested in regards to the crew’s possibilities if Mason Rudolph begins.
Pittsburgh is banking on Rudolph opening the yr because the crew’s backup with Aaron Rodgers signing and taking the lead position. If the Steelers’ gamble doesn’t repay, Pittsburgh will arguably have the more serious quarterback in most matchups. Over the primary six video games, they’ll face Justin Fields, Sam Darnold, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, whoever Cleveland decides on, and Joe Burrow.
Fields, Darnold, Burrow, and Maye would universally be ranked over Rudolph. McCarthy is an unknown but when he performs to his first-round billing, would be the stronger candidate. Rudolph solely confidently will get the nod over the Browns’ mess of names and even then, Joe Flacco’s confirmed he can nonetheless play.
Irrespective of who’s underneath middle, analyst Louis Riddick famous they higher be prepared for the blitz.
“Aaron Glenn will blitz him into oblivion,” Riddick mentioned. “The Seahawks, Mike McDonald, he’s a reasonably good defensive coordinator. The Patriots with that new line of defense up there in New England. The Vikings with Brian Flores. Man, come on.”
The Jets, Seahawks, and Patriots may not be the perfect groups in soccer however they’re led by defensive-minded coaches who prefer to ship strain. And no protection seems to be to create as a lot chaos as Flores and the Vikings, who pressured Rodgers into three interceptions in a 2024 win. Final yr, Minnesota led the league in blitz charge (38.9-percent) whereas ending top-six in strain charge (25.3-percent) and sacks (49).
Buying and selling George Pickens left Pittsburgh and not using a prime playmaker and counter to defenses who need to blitz and belief their protection to win 1v1.
“It’s an offense with solely DK Metcalf on the perimeter,” Orlovsky mentioned of the Steelers’ unit.
If Pittsburgh started the season 0-6, it might be for the primary time since 1968. Higher generally known as the yr earlier than Chuck Noll arrived. The Steelers discover methods to remain afloat and dig themselves out of holes, making a winless begin by means of most of October uncertain. However an outlook that appears bleaker if Rodgers doesn’t be part of.
