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Pittsburgh SteelersPFM Team Dashboard
PFM Archetype In the Playoff Mix78.2PFM Team ScoreNFL Rank#19AFC Rank#10Among AFC teamsQB Stability#24Aaron Rodgers · SteadySeason OutlookIn the Playoff MixGood enough to fight for a playoff spot, but one clear weakness still matters.PFM Team DNAPittsburgh Steelers Team DNA
Which traits define the Steelers DNA and what could potentially swing their season.
Primary IdentityDefense Is the Best Unit
Pittsburgh's defense is a dependable part of the plan. A 81.9 grade gives the Steelers a unit they can trust in close games.
Supporting TraitCoaching Direction
Mike McCarthy gives Pittsburgh a steady hand. A 81.0 Coaching Direction grade is a plus, even if the staff still has something to prove.
Swing FactorNeed More Explosive Plays
Pittsburgh is not creating enough game-changing plays. The 70.9 Explosiveness grade makes that a real problem for the Steelers.
PFM ReporterPittsburgh Steelers: Roster Move Shapes the Current PFM Read
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a roster detail that changes how the depth chart reads. The Pittsburgh native and seventh-round pick out of Navy has stood out with his versatility and toughness as a reliable pass-catcher, leading head coach Mike McCarthy to heap praise about him this past week. He can make some noise on jet sweeps or designed touches out of the backfield, but Heidenreich doesn't have the same floor or even ceiling that Johnson. That is the kind of Pittsburgh Steelers note that helps separate a complete roster from a top-heavy one.
With Aaron Rodgers in place, the Pittsburgh Steelers are No. 19 on the board with a 78.22 public PFM score after they held steady. The Pittsburgh Steelers offense-defense read is tight at 76.32 to 81.86, which puts more weight on the Defense Strength versus Franchise Direction split.
The Pittsburgh Steelers land as competitive because Defense Strength carries real weight. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the caution comes from Franchise Direction, which keeps the ceiling from feeling automatic. That is the difference between liking the Pittsburgh Steelers roster and fully trusting it. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the plain football read is Defense Strength as the selling point and Franchise Direction as the concern.
PFM RatingsWhat the PFM Numbers Say
The latest PFM rankings have Pittsburgh at No. 19 with a score of 78.2. That puts the team in our In the Playoff Mix tier. Inside the AFC North, the Steelers are No. 3. PFM sees a fairly even team on both sides of the ball: 76.3 on offense and 81.9 on defense. That defense is the biggest reason for the In the Playoff Mix archetype. Aaron Rodgers gives Pittsburgh a workable answer at quarterback. The 75.2 QB Stability grade, No. 24 in PFM shows there is still room for more.
There is still a 10.9-point gap between the best and worst grades, so the roster is not as balanced as it needs to be. The lowest grade is Explosiveness at 70.9, and that remains the clearest problem for the Steelers.
Last updatedJune 16, 2026PFM Report Card
QB StabilityC+75.2Roster StrengthB-79.7Coaching DirectionB81.0Recent PerformanceB-79.1Offense StrengthC+76.3Defense StrengthB81.9Franchise DirectionC+73.6ExplosivenessC70.9AFC North PFM Watch
PFM Data UpdateUpdatedHow PFM grades NFL teamsPFM ratings are updated regularly throughout the year.
