The Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl victories by an NFL franchise. They’re held to a certain standard, but they haven’t met that mark in recent years. They haven’t even won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Despite that, former Steelers offensive lineman Willie Colon believes they can win a Super Bowl next year, if they make a few moves.

“The Steelers would never take on a season without trying to win a Super Bowl,” Colon said recently on FS1’s First Things First. “I think next year’s team with Aaron Rodgers, a receiver No. 2, and a run game, and a head coach in Mike McCarthy who has been proven to win games, has a shot at winning a Super Bowl. Best team doesn’t always win the Super Bowl.”

Colon is correct that the best team doesn’t always win the championship, but what he describes is easier said than done. The Steelers have a lot of work to do to become Super Bowl contenders.

First, Rodgers returning isn’t guaranteed. He’s a pending free agent, and he’s 42 years old, which means he could choose to retire. He’s considered doing that for the past few seasons. Even if the Steelers re-sign him, there’s no telling at what level he’s still able to play. Rodgers showed flashes last year, but it was clear that he’s lost a step. Can he lead a team to a Super Bowl at this stage of his career?

Also, the Steelers have been searching for another starting receiver since they traded Diontae Johnson in 2024. They made a big splash acquiring DK Metcalf last year, but the 2025 season showed that he can’t do everything on his own.

The Steelers need to give him a capable partner, and they have a couple of different avenues to accomplish that. Some big-name receivers could be on the trade block, although that comes with some risks. Just as well, free agency and the draft should give them options. Any rookie they draft might need time to acclimate to the NFL, though.

The Steelers’ run game hasn’t been great in recent years, either. Jaylen Warren looks poised to be their 2026 starter, but he still feels better as a complementary piece. Kenneth Gainwell is a pending free agent, and Kaleb Johnson had a rough rookie season, so the Steelers might need to improve at running back if they want their rushing attack to get better.

That doesn’t even include their other needs, such as on the defensive side of the ball. That unit fell well below expectations last year, and it has a lot of aging pieces.

Could the Steelers win the Super Bowl next year? Yes, but that’s because it’s the offseason. Any team could theoretically win the championship next year. However, the Steelers are long shots at this moment. They have work to do before they become a legitimate Super Bowl threat.