Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Season Opener, Mike McCarthy’s Debut

The Pittsburgh Steelers could not have asked for a better season opening game. Playing at home in what will be a sellout crowd, they get an Atlanta Falcons team coming to town, a squad that is surrounded with question marks. With Mike McCarthy as the new head coach and most of Steelers Nation are gleefully happy that Mike Tomin is gone, McCarthy brings his offensive excellence to the Steelers and with it an entirely new coaching staff.

The Steelers and their fans are excited to see the return of Aaron Rodgers as he proclaims this is his final season in the NFL. You know he would like nothing more than to retire with a bang. Rodgers has new and better weapons this year highlighted by the addition of Rico Dowdle (coming off three straight 1,000-yard seasons) and Michael Pittman Jr. Rodgers has nothing but good things to say about Roman Wilson but for the third-year receiver this is absolutely a make-or-break year. 

The Steelers defense is old in some sense with a sprinkle of youth. T.J. Watt will try to return to form, Jalen Ramsey is a starter, Joey Porter Jr. will hopefully suit up for game one while embroiled in a contract dispute and then there are the other veterans, Patrick Queen, Jamel Dean, Jaquan Brisker, and now because of an injury to DeShon Elliott, Rayshawn Jenkins must step into the lineup, replacing Elliott.

As for the Falcons, former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was signed forcing Michael Penix Jr. to become a backup. Tagovailoa never reached the level of play that was expected of him in south Florida and he does have some weapons on offense. Atlanta is coming off a losing season of an 8-9 record while the Steelers are defending AFC North champions a division they should not have won and only did because a Baltimore Ravens kicker could not make a chip shot field goal in the season’s final game. 

When the Falcons have the ball

How will Tua Tagovailoa handle the crowd noise in Pittsburgh? Acrisure Stadium in a word is going to be ROCKING. The new quarterback does have weapons starting with a very good Bijan Robinson and to the outside tight end Kyle Pitts. Drake London, Jahan Dotson, and Olamide Zaccheaus hand the wide receiver position. The former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was hired by Atlanta in the offseason so he will be a familiar face to Steelers fans. 

I expect the Steelers defense to harass Tagovailoa as much as possible. Blitz, blitz, blitz. I think Atlanta’s game plan, however, will be to try to run on the Steelers. Their run defense was not good in 2025 and that will be the real challenge for Pittsburgh this season. They must improve in that area. I can’t see the Falcons putting up a lot of points on this defense.

When the Steelers have the ball

Here we go Steelers Nation! How will Aaron Rodgers fair this season? The most important factor for his success is keeping upright. Being protected. So many have made a big deal about his age, but Tom Brady played effectively when he got older so why do so many believe Rodgers can’t do the same? This season he has better weapons. Last year it was DK Metcalf and then no one else to throw to. But Mike Tomlin underutilized Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington missed too many games with an injury.

Mike McCarthy will probably call most of the offensive plays, but Brian Angelichio is the new offensive coordinator. Rodgers now has Michael Pittman Jr. as a weapon and perennial 1,000-yard running Rico Dowdle has been added to the fold. Rest assured McCarthy and Angelichio are going to make use of Freiermuth and Washington, probably in a big way. The possibilities for this offense are endless with so many weapons. This offense will be able to light up a score board.

I think when the Steelers have the ball for the first time they are going to come out with guns blazing. Mike Tomlin was much to conservative for Steelers Nation fan’s liking. McCarthy will take chances. He wants to see scores as often as he can. He’s also a quarterback guru so I can’t see many failures on offense under his leadership. One prediction I will make here that affects the scoreboard, I see rookie Kaden Wetjen, a kick return specialist scoring at least one touchdown on a kickoff or punt return.

Intangibles

This is the best scenario for the Steelers to open a new season with a new head coach. Playing at home in front of football starved fans, fans that have been waiting for a change at the top of years, they will be loud and proud. That makes for a difficult day for Atlanta. That, and Pittsburgh gets a very beatable Falcons team. The line should be more for the favored Steelers because I can’t see a close game here.

Prediction

The Steelers first five games are all winnable games beginning here. They could easily be 4-1 after the first five.

Steelers 34 / Falcons 13