Players are finally getting their hands on Madden NFL 26 with the deluxe editions and EA access trial releasing on Thursday. We at Steelers Wire, we used the new-and-improved franchise mode to simulate the entirety of the Steelers’ 2025 17-game schedule. Here are the results from the simulation and how the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers fared:

Week 1: Sept. 7 at New York JetsResult: 17-14, winRecord: 1-0Week 2: Sept. 14 vs. Seattle SeahawksResult: 15-21, lossRecord: 1-1Week 3: Sept. 21 at New England PatriotsResult: 19-17, winRecord: 2-1Week 4: Sept. 28 vs. Minnesota Vikings (Dublin, Ireland)Result: 20-7, winRecord: 3-1Week 5: Bye Week

The Steelers showed promise heading into the bye, simulated at 3-1 — but some of their toughest matchups were still to come.

Week 6: Oct. 12 vs. Cleveland BrownsResult: 30-15, winRecord: 4-1Week 7: Oct. 16 at Cincinnati Bengals (TNF)Result: 24-21, winRecord: 5-1Week 8: Oct. 26 vs. Green Bay Packers (SNF)Result: 21-24, lossRecord: 5-2Week 9: Nov. 2 vs. Indianapolis ColtsResult: 28-13, winRecord: 6-2Week 10: Nov. 9 at L.A. Chargers (SNF)Result: 23-17, winRecord: 7-2Week 11: Nov. 16 vs. Cincinnati BengalsResult: 22-24, lossRecord: 7-3Week 12: Nov. 23 at Chicago BearsResult: 31-15, winRecord: 8-3Week 13: Nov. 30 vs. Buffalo BillsResult: 13-21, lossRecord: 8-4Week 14: Dec. 7 at Baltimore RavensResult: 20-17, winRecord: 9-4Week 15: Dec. 15 vs. Miami Dolphins (MNF)Result: 24-14, winRecord: 10-4Week 16: Dec. 21 at Detroit LionsResult: 7-14, lossRecord: 10-5Week 17: Dec. 28 at Cleveland BrownsResult: 24-0, winRecord: 11-5Week 18: TBD vs. Baltimore RavensResult: 9-14, lossRecord: 11-6Regular-season recap

The Steelers finished 19th in total offense with 5,148 yards, second in defensive yards allowed with 4,597, 19th in points scored with 347, and first in points allowed with 268.

At one point in the simulation, Pittsburgh was just one game off the No. 1 seed in the AFC — but in classic Steelers fashion, fell apart during the latter half of the season, going 4-4 in the final eight games. Their strong start was enough to make the playoffs, however, which couldn’t be said for the Bengals and Browns.

AFC North standingsBaltimore Ravens: 14-3, No. 1 seedPittsburgh Steelers: 11-6, No. 6 seedCincinnati Bengals: 8-9, didn’t make playoffsCleveland Browns 3-14, didn’t make playoffsPlayoffs: Wild Card round vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Steelers playoff misfortunes continued in this simulation of the 2025 season — with the completely revamped roster still lacking the firepower to win where it matters most.

While Madden NFL 26 is a video game — and the simulation should be taken with as much salt as possible — the results mirror the Steelers’ seasonal finishes over the last 9 years: winning seasons with zero playoff wins.

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