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Mike Tomlin Has Confidence in Steelers' Super Bowl Bid Despite National Outlook
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- Mike Tomlin Has Confidence in Steelers' Super Bowl Bid Despite National Outlook
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an era of change as they prepare for their first season under head coach Mike McCarthy. The changes were evident throughout training camp and the preseason , but one thing has remained constant: the Steelers expect to compete for a championship every season.
This roster features a mix of young players and longtime veterans, led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers . While the Steelers may not have the same Super Bowl expectations as teams such as the Los Angeles Rams , former head coach Mike Tomlin believes Pittsburgh has what it takes to make a championship run.
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Tomlin stepped down in January after 19 seasons as the Steelers' head coach and has since transitioned into television as part of NFL on NBC's coverage .
Despite no longer being on the sideline, Tomlin remains closely connected to the franchise he led for nearly two decades. He was recently asked about Pittsburgh's Super Bowl chances and made it clear that he believes the team is capable of winning it all.
"I think that's the only reason Aaron comes back. He believes it, I believe it. I don't think he comes back if he doesn't believe that. I think they got the bones of having a good unit at all three phases. Certainly, they're probably not being talked about in the ways that some others are being talked about, but that can be a good motivator and a catalyst for them as well. I think they got high expectations and I think they should have high expectations," Tomlin said on the Rich Eisen Show.
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Steelers Have the Pieces to Compete
Aug 21, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy (left) talks with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (right) before the game against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Tomlin's comments highlight why the Steelers shouldn't be dismissed despite entering the season outside the group of teams widely viewed as Super Bowl favorites.
Pittsburgh has veterans who have experienced the postseason, along with young players who could take significant steps forward under McCarthy. Plus, McCarthy is a Super Bowl winning coach and has had previous success.
Rodgers is obviously the centerpiece of those championship aspirations. The Steelers brought him back because they believe he can still lead an offense capable of competing at the highest level. Pittsburgh also strengthened its supporting cast during the offseason, giving Rodgers more talent around him such as Germie Bernard in the draft and Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade.
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Good reason for hesitancy
Aug 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy looks on during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
The defense remains another potential strength and have historically provided an advantage. However, this is a new regime and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham's scheme hasn't been seen in Pittsburgh yet. If all three phases perform consistently, the Steelers could be more competitive than their preseason expectations suggest. That could be said for all teams, though.
There is no guarantee Pittsburgh will make a deep playoff run, but Tomlin's belief carries weight. After spending 19 seasons leading the franchise, he understands what it takes to win in Pittsburgh. His confidence also reflects the belief inside the organization that this roster has enough talent to make a legitimate run at the Lombardi Trophy.
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At the end of the day, Tomlin left McCarthy a team that made the playoffs. Now, it's up to McCarthy to see if he can push this team to a deep run.
Pittsburgh Steelers Essentials
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
