‘Exterior Trying In’: NFL Community Analyst Tasks Steelers To Miss Playoffs

Coming off a playoff look in 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers seemingly improved their roster from high to backside in a chaotic offseason.

However now, the assumption is — a minimum of for one analyst — that the Steelers might be on the surface trying in on the playoff image in 2025.

Showing on NFL Community’s Good Morning Soccer Monday, analyst Cynthia Frelund says she believes Pittsburgh might be simply outdoors of the playoffs regardless of the additions this offseason.

“Simply barely…simply on the surface. Possibly a bubble staff,” Frelund stated of the Steelers’ playoff outlook, in line with video through NFL Community. “Now once I’m their schedule and I’m form of figuring issues out, it’s tremendous ironic to me. So I’ve 8.3 wins. That implies that they’re eighth or ninth. They’re form of tied in that little spot, which implies outdoors trying in.”

Regardless of including Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and buying and selling for WR DK Metcalf, TE Jonnu Smith and DB Jalen Ramsey, to not point out signing CB Darius Slay in free company, the Steelers are projected to have much less wins this season than final 12 months.

Final offseason, Frelund projected the Steelers to win 8.7 video games. So, they’re nonetheless in that 8-9 win window however projected to take a slight step backwards. That doesn’t make a lot sense, contemplating the Steelers’ schedule final season was rather more troublesome and that the staff had greater holes on the roster getting into the 12 months than it does now.

That’s to not say the Steelers’ 2025 schedule is simple; removed from it. Enjoying the NFC North and the AFC East might be troublesome, to not point out inside their very own division within the AFC North. However issues line up properly early for the Steelers, giving them a possibility to stack wins.

The Steelers have been busy this offseason and made plenty of massive strikes. They added important expertise with nice expertise, touchdown guys who know what it takes to win within the NFL. That has to matter.

After all, there’s the query about T.J. Watt’s contract scenario and if he’ll miss video games, together with the uncertainty with the younger offensive line, and simply what Rodgers has left within the tank. However on paper, the Steelers seem like in good condition high to backside.

If Rodgers stays wholesome, the offensive line takes a step ahead and the secondary shores up some communication points, the Steelers ought to win 10-11 video games and be within the playoffs once more. All of the offseason strikes they’ve made are geared toward getting over the hump within the postseason.

Ought to they get there.

“I feel they’re out. It’s attainable although, if a number of of these video games go in a unique route, they may make it in,” Frelund added concerning the Steelers. “However yeah, it’s laborious for me to say. I’m their division and I’m saying, ‘You’re not gonna cross the Ravens to win the division,’ which might be my most sure method for them to make the playoffs.

“Now that second and third spot, the Bengals, have they fastened their protection? I’m undecided. So, it’s attainable, however I feel they’re most probably not. So I’m saying no.”

Frelund highlighted video games in opposition to the New York Jets and Inexperienced Bay Packers as ones that would actually form the Steelers’ season, together with the matchup in Dublin, Eire, in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings. However outdoors of these three video games, Frelund doesn’t see the Steelers having sufficient to get into the playoffs in a troublesome AFC.

Time will inform although. The Steelers are usually counted out this time of 12 months and at all times appear to search out themselves within the playoff hunt. This 12 months ought to be no completely different.