The 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers schedule has been released , and after what happened to the team last year, the announcement has taken on a greater level of importance.
The schedule-makers were unkind to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, with an unprecedented late-season stretch of three games in 11 days, all of them against Super Bowl contenders, and with travel included. The Steelers, somewhat unsurprisingly, finished the season 0-5.
This year's schedule is not as difficult in terms of the preseason quality of the opposition. But will the order of operations hurt the Steelers this time around?
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7, 1 p.m. at New York Jets
, CBS
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. vs. Seattle Seahawks
, FOX
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m at New England Patriots
, CBS
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 28, 9:30 a.m. vs. Minnesota Vikings
at Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland, NFL Network
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12, 1 p.m. vs. Cleveland Browns
, CBS
Week 7: Thursday, Oct. 16, 8:15 at Cincinnati Bengals
, Amazon Prime Video
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, 8:20 p.m. vs. Green Bay Packers
, NBC/ WPXI
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 2, 1 p.m. vs. Indianapolis Colts
, CBS
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9, 8:20 p.m. at Los Angeles Chargers
, NBC/WPXI
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 16, 1 p.m. vs. Cincinnati Bengals, CBS
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, 1 p.m. at Chicago Bears
, CBS
Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, 4:25 p.m. vs. Buffalo Bills
, CBS
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m. at Baltimore Ravens
, CBS
Week 15: Monday, Dec. 15, 8:15 p.m. vs Miami Dolphins
, ABC/ESPN
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 21, 4:25 p.m. at Detroit Lions
, CBS
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, 1 p.m. at Cleveland Browns, CBS
Week 18: TBD vs. Baltimore Ravens, TBD
Preseason Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 9, 7 at Jacksonville Jaguars
, TBD
Preseason Week 2: Saturday, Aug. 16, 7 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, KDKA
Preseason Week 3: Thursday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m. at Carolina Panthers
, TBD
The 2025 NFL season will kick off with a script straight out of Hollywood, as the curtain rises at MetLife Stadium for a dramatic showdown between the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers. A season ago, the Steelers benched quarterback Justin Fields despite a 6-2 start ahead of a Week 9 matchup against the Jets. Now, Fields will be on the other sideline, suiting up for New York with a golden opportunity to show his former team that not only was benching him a mistake, but so was failing to prioritize him in free agency.But the fireworks don't end there.
If the Steelers finalize a deal with four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers , he too will have the chance to face the team that once chose to go in a different direction. In last year's Week 9 contest, Pittsburgh put up 37 points and handed Rodgers and the Jets a convincing loss. However, with a slew of roster changes and fresh storylines on both sides, this rematch promises to be anything but familiar. This high-stakes opener will set the tone for both franchises, and perhaps the entire 2025 season.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 20, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers' Week 2 matchup, and home opener, against the Seattle Seahawks will be a full-circle moment for several reasons. Six seasons ago, DK Metcalf scored the first touchdown of his NFL career in Pittsburgh during Seattle's visit for the 2019 home opener. This time, the stage remains the same but Metcalf will be wearing black and gold. That 2019 game also marked Mason Rudolph 's first regular-season appearance, stepping in for an injured Ben Roethlisberger . Depending on how things unfold with Aaron Rodgers, Rudolph could once again find himself called upon under similar circumstances.The last time these two teams faced off, Rudolph got the start and led the Steelers to a 30–23 win. This time around, Seattle enters with veteran Sam Darnold under center, adding another layer of unpredictability to an already intriguing matchup.
DK Metcalf from the Washington Football Team vs. Seattle Seahawks at FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland, Dec. 20, 2020. — All-Pro Reels Photography
In Week 3, the Steelers will travel to Foxborough to take on Drake Maye and the new-look Patriots. New England last faced Pittsburgh in 2022, earning a win, but much has changed since then—including the arrival of their new franchise quarterback, Maye, and a top draft pick at left tackle, Will Campbell , selected fourth overall. Campbell will face an early test trying to contain Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt . Foxborough remains a painful setting for Steelers fans, as it was the site of one of the most crushing losses in franchise history—the 2016 AFC Championship Game defeat to Tom Brady and the Patriots. With a new era underway, Pittsburgh will look to rewrite that history in a more favorable way.
The contest will make history as the first regular-season NFL game played in Ireland. Ironically, the last time the Steelers played across the pond, they also played against the Vikings.
Minnesota, of course, was the designated host of that matchup. In the 2013 preseason, the game looked like a promising battle between two fringe playoff teams. The Steelers missed the postseason the previous year while the Vikings managed to squeak in, losing their wildcard battle in Green Bay .
Team flags are displayed on the field ahead of the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings at Wembley Stadium, London, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Nicky Hayes, NFL UK)
While the Browns may not be one of Pittsburgh's toughest opponents, there is still a compelling storyline to watch in these matchups. Cleveland's quarterback room is a narrative in itself, featuring multiple players with added motivation to face the Steelers. One is Kenny Pickett , once believed to be Pittsburgh's long-term answer at quarterback before he was traded to Philadelphia . Another is Shedeur Sanders , who was widely rumored to be a top target for the Steelers in the draft but was surprisingly passed over four times. Regardless of who starts under center for either Cleveland or Pittsburgh, this game has the makings of a compelling matchup.
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Hiighsmith in a game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 8, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The first prime time game on the docket brings forth a familiar bugaboo, as the Steelers will go on the road to face an AFC North rival on a short week for a Thursday Night Football game in Cincinnati. Last season, the Steelers lost to the Browns in a snowstorm in Cleveland on TNF, dropping Mike Tomlin to 0-8 in road, divisional Thursday Night game.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Well this one was made for TV. Assuming Rodgers signs with the Steelers, he'll get not only the Jets, but the other team where he has played, the Green Bay Packers, on his first schedule with Pittsburgh. With the Jets getting the opening week honors, the Packers are a no-brainer choice for prime time, with Jordan Love and company looking to return to the playoffs in addition to the Rodgers drama.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward ties to bat down a pass by Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love on Nov. 12, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Colts and the Steelers will be playing for the fourth consecutive year this November, but this will be the first time the Colts are coming to Pittsburgh since 2020, with each of the last three games coming in Indianapolis. The Steelers lost the last two of those, with forgettable outings against Indy backups Gardner Minshew and Joe Flacco both ending in the loss column.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt during a game on Sept. 29, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers will make their third trip to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. They lost a barnburner to the Chargers in 2021, and beat their L.A. landlords, the Rams , in 2023. Going back to the days when they played in San Diego, Steelers games against the Chargers have always featured a ton of black and gold-clad supporters filling the stadium, but this LAC squad has some new energy coming off a playoff run.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 24, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers split their matchups against the Bengals last season, as they did with every other division opponent. This year's game figures to be another challenge, as it is every season. Cincinnati boasts a potent aerial attack led by star quarterback Joe Burrow , along with top receiving threats Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins . Still, the Steelers may have reason for optimism. The last time quarterback Mason Rudolph faced the Bengals, he led Pittsburgh to a commanding 30-point victory, throwing for more than 290 yards and two touchdowns.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 4, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
In Week 12, the Steelers will travel to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears. The Bears are coming off a strong season and enter a new era with franchise quarterback Caleb Williams and several newly drafted weapons to support him. They're also led by first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the former offensive coordinator in Detroit. The matchup should be an intriguing test for both teams. The last time the Steelers faced the Bears was in 2017—a game remembered more for controversy than the action on the field, as the Steelers stayed in the locker room during the national anthem, with only Alejandro Villanueva appearing on the sideline. Pittsburgh went on to win that game in gritty fashion with an overtime victory.
Chicago Bears' Jaylon Johnson warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Steelers and Bills have seen a lot of one another lately, and that history has not gone well for the Steelers. Since Josh Allen joined the Bills in 2019, the Steelers are 1-4 against Buffalo, including a Wild Card playoff loss to end the 2023 season.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sept. 15, 2021. — Ed Thompson / Pittsburgh Sports Now
The Steelers-Ravens matchups should be as entertaining as ever this season. While Lamar Jackson has historically struggled against Pittsburgh, Steelers fans still carry the sting of last season's playoff loss, when Derrick Henry rushed for 186 yards and ended their postseason run. In response, the Steelers made upgrading the defensive front a top priority, using multiple draft picks on front-seven players—most notably first-round defensive tackle Derrick Harmon out of Oregon. Either way, it will be worth watching to see if Pittsburgh can slow down Baltimore's powerful ground game.
Pittsburgh Steelers safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott try to tackle Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry on Jan. 11, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The only Monday Night Football game on the Steelers' schedule is a home date against the Miami Dolphins. The Fins will be dealing with a blustery Pittsburgh evening, but that has been the case for many of the team's recent matchups. Miami lost in Pittsburgh on a late October night game in 2019, but beat the Steelers in a January 2017 playoff game and in the December snow in 2013.
Miami Dolphins' Tyreek Hill (10) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
The all-time series between the Steelers and the Detroit Lions is 17-14-2 in favor of Pittsburgh, but the closeness is misleading. Since 1966, the Steelers are 13-2-1 against Detroit. The last time they lost to the Lions was the infamous Jerome Bettis Thanksgiving Day coin toss game in 1998.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 24, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Thought the Browns have not been very good lately, they have done well against the Steelers in Cleveland. The Browns are 5-1 in their last six in Ohio game in the Turnpike Rivalry. Mason Rudolph lost two of those, in 2019 and 2020. This late in December, we could be looking at another snow globe game.
Pittsburgh Steelers offense huddles during a Thursday Night Football game against the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 21, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers have gone to Baltimore late in the campaign during each of the last four season, playing against the Ravens on the road in Week 18 in 2021, Week 17 in 2022, Week 18 in 2023 and Week 16 last season. The Steelers have done well in those games, and had in fact won four straight in Baltimore before last season's double whammy of December loss and January playoff loss. This time around, the second game between the bitter rivals will be in Pittsburgh.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson gets away from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb in a game at a Acrsiure Stadium on Oct. 8, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 Schedule, Week-by-Week Analysis
