Michael Hull

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Bengals' 2025 opponents. Next up, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bengals' AFC North Rivals and adversary in Weeks 7 and 11.

2024

The Steelers posted a 10-7 record in 2024, finishing second in the AFC North and losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card round.

Pittsburgh averaged 22.4 points per game on offense, but they were led by their defense. The Steelers allowed 20.4 points per game, the eighth fewest in the NFL. They were also second in turnover differential at +16, finishing the year with 33 takeaways (most in the NFL) and 17 giveaways. LB T.J. Watt anchored the defense, finishing top 10 in sacks with 11.5.

The Steelers had one of the strongest special teams units in the league as well, as K Chris Boswell hit 41-of-44 field goal attempts and all 35 of his extra points.

Offseason Changes

Pittsburgh underwent significant changes on the offensive side of the ball this offseason, bringing in Aaron Rodgers at quarterback after parting ways with QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Rodgers, 41, comes off a two-year stint with the Jets after spending 18 years with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers won four MVPs in Green Bay and led the Packers to a Super Bowl XLV victory over the Steelers.

The Steelers also traded for former Seahawks WR DK Metcalf and traded WR George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Pittsburgh let RB Najee Harris depart in free agency and drafted RB Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

On the defensive side of the ball, Pittsburgh brought in CB Darius Slay, a six-time Pro Bowler and starter for the Eagles Super Bowl LIX championship team. The Steelers also traded for CB Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins, sending S Minkah Fitzpatrick back to Miami, where he started his career. Pittsburgh picked up TE Jonnu Smith in the Fitzpatrick deal as well, who will join Pat Freiermuth in the tight end room. Ramsey, a three-time All-Pro, teams up with Slay and Joey Porter Jr. in the Pittsburgh secondary.

Coaching Staff

Head coach Mike Tomlin enters his 19th season as head coach of the Steelers and is the longest-tenured head coach in the league. With a career coaching record of 183-107-2, Tomlin has never coached a team that finished below .500 and led the Steelers to a Super Bowl XLIII victory over the Arizona Cardinals in 2009.

Arthur Smith will coach the Pittsburgh offense for the second season after previously serving as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021-23. He also spent time with the Tennessee Titans as their offensive coordinator.

Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has been with Pittsburgh since 2019, serving as the team's senior defensive assistant and secondary coach until he was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2022. Pittsburgh has ranked top 10 in turnover ratio and points allowed all three years of Austin's defensive coordinator tenure.

Series History

As long-time division opponents, including years spent in the AFC Central, the Bengals and Steelers have played 111 times. They split the season series last year 1-1.

What To Watch For

Watt had success against the Bengals in the teams' first matchup of the year, but he was kept off the stat sheet in Cincinnati's Week 18 victory in Pittsburgh. OTAmarius Mimswill have another offseason under his belt after a solid rookie year, while OTOrlando Brown Jr.also returns on the outside for the Bengals against the pass rush of Watt, Cameron Heyward and Alex Highsmith.

Pittsburgh allowed 98.7 rushing yards per game last season, but Bengals RBChase Brownaveraged 5.8 yards per carry against the defense in his lone matchup against them (Brown missed Week 18 with injury). Brown came on down the stretch last season, going for at least 100 yards from scrimmage in five straight games and finishing 12th in rushing yards from Week 9 on despite missing Week 18.

Finally, the Steelers' new look secondary, featuring Ramsey, Slay and the incumbent Porter Jr., will match up with a Bengals receiving corps that got the best of most units in 2024. WRJaMarr Chasecaught 16 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns in two games against the Steelers last season.