I\u2019m back with another set of Pittsburgh Steelers stat predictions for the 2026 season. My best guesses for the numbers across all facets of the team: passing, rushing, receiving, sacks, and interceptions.<\/p>\n
This list generally assumes good health and that each player suits up for most, if not the entire, season. That\u2019s unlikely to hold true for the entire roster, but predicting injuries is tough to do.<\/p>\n
As always, share your thoughts in the comments below. After the year, we\u2019ll revisit this list to evaluate what I got right and wrong.<\/p>\n
Passing Game<\/p>\n
Player
\nCompletions
\nAttempts
\nYards
\nTDs
\nINTs<\/p>\n
Aaron Rodgers (16 starts)
\n347
\n536
\n3,675
\n25
\n11<\/p>\n
Mason Rudolph (1 start)
\n29
\n40
\n296
\n1
\n1<\/p>\n
\u2013 Expecting an uptick in passing volume under Mike McCarthy compared to Arthur Smith. The Steelers\u2019 offense should also run more plays than they did a year ago after being near league-bottom in time of possession.<\/p>\n
A more concentrated effort to throw downfield pushes down Rodgers\u2019 completion percentage and pushes up his yards per attempt and interception numbers. Not dramatically, but a change from last year.<\/p>\n
\u2013 I\u2019ll project Rodgers sits out one game. That puts Rudolph in the lineup for one spot start. No pass attempts for Will Howard or Drew Allar in this projection.<\/p>\n
Running Game<\/p>\n
Player
\nCarries
\nYards
\nYPC
\nTD<\/p>\n
Rico Dowdle
\n191
\n865
\n4.5
\n5<\/p>\n
Jaylen Warren
\n149
\n687
\n4.6
\n4<\/p>\n
Lew Nichols
\n35
\n143
\n4.1
\n1<\/p>\n
Eli Heidenreich
\n31
\n124
\n4.0
\n0<\/p>\n
Aaron Rodgers
\n15
\n46
\n3.1
\n1<\/p>\n
Kaden Wetjen
\n7
\n53
\n7.6
\n1<\/p>\n
\u2013 Projected out about a 56\/44 split between Dowdle and Warren. That keeps both of their numbers relatively down and robs Dowdle of making NFL history by rushing for 1,000 yards in three straight seasons<\/a> with three different teams.<\/p>\n \u2013 This also projects a slight uptick in rushing attempts compared to last year based on the offense that should have more volume. Still, this offense will have a heavier passing slant than last season.<\/p>\n \u2013 Heidenreich won\u2019t see much work unless there\u2019s an injury, but he still should see a handful of offensive snaps. Wetjen will handle a couple of end-around carries.<\/p>\n \u2013 This also projects that Lew Nichols sees a midseason call-up when injuries happen and records his first NFL carries \u2013 and first touchdown.<\/p>\n Receiving<\/p>\n Player DK Metcalf Pat Freiermuth Michael Pittman Jr. Jaylen Warren Roman Wilson Germie Bernard Rico Dowdle Darnell Washington Riley Nowakowski Kaden Wetjen Ben Skowronek Eli Heidenreich Robert Tonyan \u2013 Remember, I match all passing numbers to receiving numbers. If you want to change my predictions, you have to equal up completions to receptions, yards, and touchdowns.<\/p>\n \u2013 Metcalf bounces back with improved numbers over a projected 17 games. He leads the team in receptions and yards while finishing second in touchdowns.<\/p>\n \u2013 Freiermuth returns to form by tying a career high in receptions, coming close to doing so in yards, and setting a new personal best with eight scores. His chemistry with Aaron Rodgers is clear, and having the same quarterback in back-to-back years for the first time in his career will be significant. On the other side, Darnell Washington gets the squeeze with a regression in production, although he does score twice after entering the year with just two career scores.<\/p>\n \u2013 More middling numbers for Pittman, who finishes third on the team in catches and receptions. Still, there\u2019s a clear tier down from there. The running back position won\u2019t be as active in the passing game as last year, but Warren still posts a healthy number.<\/p>\n \u2013 Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard have similar numbers. Wilson a little more downfield action while Bernard could see more work in the short\/intermediate game. The numbers aren\u2019t bad for a collective No. 3 position.<\/p>\n Sacks<\/p>\n Player T.J. Watt Nick Herbig Alex Highsmith Keeanu Benton Cam Heyward Derrick Harmon Patrick Queen Jalen Ramsey Jack Sawyer Yahya Black Jaquan Brisker Payton Wilson Sebastian Joseph-Day \u2013 A total of 53 for the defense, for those scoring at home.<\/p>\n \u2013 Watt returns with a better season and returns to double digits even if it\u2019s far from the elite numbers he once posted. Herbig and Highsmith aren\u2019t far behind. Obviously, the health of those three will go a long way in determining their final totals.<\/p>\n \u2013 Benton doesn\u2019t see a large step forward, but the top three EDGE rushers putting up strong numbers keep his figure down a bit. Still, a five-sack season would be solid if the pressure is consistent and run defense is better.<\/p>\n
\nCatches
\nYards
\nYPC
\nTD<\/p>\n
\n74
\n1,082
\n14.6
\n6<\/p>\n
\n65
\n723
\n11.1
\n8<\/p>\n
\n62
\n647
\n10.4
\n4<\/p>\n
\n46
\n322
\n7.0
\n1<\/p>\n
\n28
\n332
\n11.9
\n1<\/p>\n
\n25
\n259
\n10.4
\n2<\/p>\n
\n19
\n107
\n5.7
\n0<\/p>\n
\n20
\n184
\n9.2
\n2<\/p>\n
\n14
\n99
\n7.1
\n1<\/p>\n
\n9
\n107
\n11.9
\n0<\/p>\n
\n5
\n51
\n10.2
\n0<\/p>\n
\n5
\n25
\n5.0
\n0<\/p>\n
\n4
\n23
\n5.8
\n1<\/p>\n
\nSacks<\/p>\n
\n12.0<\/p>\n
\n9.5<\/p>\n
\n9.0<\/p>\n
\n5.0<\/p>\n
\n4.5<\/p>\n
\n3.5<\/p>\n
\n2.0<\/p>\n
\n2.0<\/p>\n
\n1.5<\/p>\n
\n1.5<\/p>\n
\n1.0<\/p>\n
\n1.0<\/p>\n
\n0.5<\/p>\n