Five Takeaways from Steelers Schedule: Rodgers Impact, Trap Game, More
We saw last year how the schedule can impact things, with the Steelers struggling amid the NFL's most difficult stretch run in recent memory, facing three Super Bowl contenders — the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles — in an 11-game stretch.
Advertisement
So with he release of this year's schedule, is there another such touch stretch awaiting the Steelers or have the schedule-makers been kinder this year, and what other pertinent takeaways are there from the announcement?
Let's dive in:
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton chases New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Oct. 20, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
While it seems very likely that Aaron Rodgers will eventually sign with the Steelers, this schedule is not the way it would have looked if the lighting rod of a quarterback was securely signed in Pittsburgh.
His revenge game against the New York Jets, while in Week 1, is in a Sunday 1 p.m. window, and the Steelers have just four prime time games instead of six, they don't play on a holiday. This schedule has less national attention built into it than the Steelers usually get — not the significant increase we should have expected with Rodgers in the fold.
Advertisement
Last year, the Steelers played two 4:25 p.m. national games, four traditional prime time games, two standalone Saturday games, and a standalone Christmas Day game. That's nine times last year the Steelers played and were the only game on TV. This year, there's only six of those built into the schedule.
So while the game against the Packers being one of the prime time games is probably a nod to the possibility of it being a Rodgers-Packers showdown, the Steelers overall schedule is that of a 10-7 team with an unsettled and uninteresting quarterback situation, not one with Rodgers.
The Trap Game
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel with Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan at Ohio State pro day on March 26, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers don't have too any outright bad games on their schedule. They play the Cleveland Browns twice, but the rivalry makes those games emotional affairs, no matter the records of the teams involved. The Jets being the season opener pretty well rules that out as a trap game.
Advertisement
But the one other team that drafted inside No. 10 in the 2025 NFL Draft on the schedule is the New England Patriots, and their placement in the schedule has the look of a nasty trap game.
After starting on the road, the Steelers have their home opener in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. Week 4 is their long-awaited trip to Ireland to face the Vikings. In between, a trip to New England to face a lowly Patriots team.
That looks like a game the Steelers should dominate, but that also makes it an easy opponent to overlook.
First Timers Club
New York Jets running back Breece Hall in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 20, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers will play three teams with new head coaches in 2025: the Jets (Aaron Glenn), Patriots (Mike Vrabel) and Bears (Ben Johnson). Playing new coaches is usually boon — they typically aren't very good — especially ones totally new to the position like Glenn and Johnson.
Advertisement
But Glenn's position on the Steelers schedule will also make him a pain in the butt. The Steelers will have no regular season game film on what the Jets will be doing under Glenn when they take the field at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 7. So they're just going to have to wing it for Week 1.
Lions Make a Lasting Impact
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff hands off in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 14, 2021. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Last season, opponents of the Detroit Lions went 2-14 in the week following their game against Detroit. The Steelers have what should be an easier game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, following their Week 16 trip to Motown.
But watch out for the physical running style of the Lions and its ability to have a lasting impact on an opponent. With Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson both drafted and an absolute mess at quarterback, the Browns will probably try to run the ball, too.
Advertisement
All of that is coming ahead of a Week 18 date with Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. So the Steelers' physicality and ability to absorb physical punishment will be tested down the stretch.
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 17, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Flex Time?
I get the feeling that we're going to be talking about the Steelers in the flex schedule conversation a lot this fall. With there only being four prime time games, they can actually be flexed twice more, and those 1 p.m. December games against the Lions and Ravens seem prime flexing territory.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Five Takeaways from Steelers Schedule: Rodgers Impact, Trap Game, More
Advertisement
Related Headlines
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
a few seconds ago
- USA Today
Rams are 2nd-most valuable franchise in NFL: See the complete top 5
Since moving to Los Angeles in 2016 and hiring Sean McVay one year later, the Rams have become one of the most exciting and interesting teams in the NFL. From big trades to a Super Bowl win, they've provided a football spark in L.A. They're also among the league's most valuable teams, too. Sportico released the latest franchise valuations across the NFL on Wednesday and the Rams ranked second on the list. They're worth $10.43 billion, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys, who are worth $12.8 billion. The Rams are one of only three teams worth at least $10 billion, with the others being the Cowboys and New York Giants. The Patriots are fourth ($8.76 billion) and the 49ers are fifth ($8.6 billion). It's a sizable jump in overall valuation for the Rams since last year when they were worth $7.79 billion, also second in the NFL. The top five from last year remains the same, in that exact order. The Athletic shared the complete list of every NFL franchise's valuation, from the Cowboys at No. 1 to the Bengals ($5.5 billion) at No. 32. The Cardinals are the only NFC West team outside the top 15; they're worth $5.66 billion as of now. The Rams' value really spiked after SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 and then the team won the Super Bowl a year later. Stan Kroenke may not be the most popular owner but when it comes to business and making money, he's done an undeniably great job increasing the value of the Rams. He became the majority owner of the team in 2010 when he purchased the Rams for $750 million, which is only a fraction of what the franchise is worth now 15 years later.
USA Today
a few seconds ago
- USA Today
Rookie locks in spot with Ravens but wants more than special teams duty
Ravens rookie LaJohntay Wester may have locked in a special teams role, but his ambitions extend beyond special teams. #Ravens OC Todd Monken foresees a larger role for rookie WR/PR LaJohntay Wester on offense:'I think down the road, this year and moving forward, he's going to be a heck of a weapon. … He kind of gives us another novelty for Zay Flowers.' In the end, it won't count. LaJohntay Wester's magical punt return during the Baltimore Ravens' first preseason game sent shockwaves through M&T Bank Stadium. It won't be tallied in his career highlights, nor will the win he helped produce be logged on the season's ledger. Who are we kidding, though? We all felt a slight adrenaline rush as it became certain he was in the clear and no one was catching him from behind. The rookie described it as 'build-up' and 'emotion' pouring over. A sixth-round pick during the most recent NFL Draft, there's just something about this guy. No one dedicates an enormous amount of time discussing this, but landing him that late in the selection meeting feels like a steal. Ravens offensive coordinator raved about him recently. The initial 53-man roster hasn't been released yet, but if we were to read between the lines, we'd assume Wester has locked up the returner role with additional duties to be named later. Again, we're going to assume Wester has ended Baltimore's search for a punt returner. Might he provide a Swiss-Army knife of sorts to the offensive attack? That remains to be seen. Wester appeared in 58 games at the collegiate level, including four seasons with the Florida Atlantic Owls and his most recent with the Colorado Buffaloes, produced 326 receptions, 3,634 yards receiving, and 31 receiving touchdowns. He also racked up another 213 yards and a pair of TDs on 37 carries. There's some potential there. We'll see if the Ravens can find unique ways to deploy him this season.
USA Today
a few seconds ago
- USA Today
National reactions: Bills' extension with James Cook mostly praised across NFL
The dilemma between the Buffalo Bills and James Cook is over. Ending a hold-in which went for more than a week's worth of days, the Pro Bowl running back has signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the team. Cook will remain with the Bills through the 2029 season. The front office in Buffalo had long said the team wanted to keep Cook. It was just a matter of coming to an agreement. Cook, entering his fourth NFL season, is a two-time Pro Bowler and will remain a fixture in the Bills' backfield alongside quarterback Josh Allen for the foreseeable future. Following the news, here is a national media roundup to Cook's extension with the Bills: Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension Reaction: Bills, James Cook agree to extension
