Pittsburgh By The Numbers:

• Record: 10-7, 1st in AFC North

• Passing leader: Aaron Rodgers, 3322 yds, 24 TD, 7 INT, 65.7 CMP%

• Rushing leader: Jaylen Warren: 958 yds, 211 att, 6 TD

• Receiving Leader: D.K. Metcalf, 850 yds, 59 rec, 6TD

• Tackling leader: Payton Wilson, 126 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks

• Sacks leader: Alex Highsmith, 9.5 sacks, 50 tackles, 15 TFL

• Interceptions leader: (4-way tie) Kyle Dugger, Brandin Echols, Jack Sawyer, T.J. Watt, 2 INT

OPOY: Kenneth Gainwell

Kenneth Gainwell went from the projected third-string running back to being voted Pittsburgh’s MVP by his teammates, logging over 1,000 all-purpose yards as Aaron Rodgers’ most dependable option. While receiving little praise from the national media, Gainwell shined when he was needed most. He looks to be the focal point of a strong backfield in 2026 along with Jaylen Warren and young Kaleb Johnson.

DPOY: Cam Heyward

The lone All-Pro nod for the Steelers, Heyward brought stability to an ever-changing defense that never really got to settle in due to injuries. The 36 year-old was one of four Steelers to start all 17 regular-season games, stuffing the run and crashing into quarterbacks with a vengeance. As he inches closer to the final chapter of his career, the career Steeler shouldn’t ever be taken for granted.

ROTY: Derrick Harmon

Harmon missed some time due to injuries throughout the season, but he made his mark opposite of Heyward whenever he made it onto the field. He wasn’t fazed by the size and speed of NFL offensive lineman, providing seven pressures and 27 tackles in just eight starts. A full season for Harmon could lead to much larger numbers, especially if Pittsburgh’s new coaching staff can figure out how to capitalize on the Oregon product’s massive talent.

Best Play Of The Year: Calvin Austin keeps the season alive

The Steelers’ final regular season game had as much pressure involved as a regular season could stand: one team would go to the playoffs, the other would likely fire their head coach. With both teams playing for their short-term and long-term futures, it was a classic AFC North slugfest. After Baltimore took the lead with just over two minutes to go, courtesy of a 64-yard Zay Flowers touchdown, The Steelers turned to their quarterback, looking for a classic Rodgers game-winning drive. Rodgers and the Steelers flew down the field, finally setting up a 3rd-and-10 rocket to Calvin Austin that gave Pittsburgh the lead. Pittsburgh would still need a missed kick from the Ravens on the final drive to secure the win, but old school Rodgers magic and a career-defining moment for Austin would be what Steelers faithful remembered most.

Worst Play Of The Year: Auto-Locking on MVS

Rodgers proved several times that he still had some of his signature magic throughout the season, but his second outing against the Browns wasn’t one of his hallmark moments. After the offense went completely off the rails in order to deny Myles Garrett a sack, Pittsburgh still had an opportunity to win the game in the redzone. Rather than move the ball around, Rodgers looked for former Packers and Jets teammate Marques Valdez-Scantling three consecutive times, despite being blanketed by Denzel Ward. Cleveland held on to stifle the Steelers and win the game, leaving many questioning the late-game decision making by Rodgers and OC Arthur Smith.

AFC Hatred Moment Of The Year: Jalen Ramsey ragebaits Jamarr Chase

The great cornerbacks excel at not only winning physical matchups, but dominating receivers psychologically. Jalen Ramsey has proven to be a nightmare over the course of his career, and he brought his competitive fire to Pittsburgh’s secondary all year. His crowning achievement came while hosting the Bengals, a game in which the entire defense played as well as they had all season. Ramsey played a key part in putting superstar Jamarr Chase on a milk carton, and even managed to goad Chase into swinging on him after a stoppage in play, drawing a flag and stifling the Bengals offense yet again.

Most Steelers Moment Of The Year: Gaslighting us into thinking the Jets were good

The Steelers opened the year with an electric duel against New York in Rodgers’ return to Metlife, winning a 34-32 shootout that left fans of both teams excited about the upcoming season. The Jets would then go on to bench Justin Fields, stage a fire sale at the trade deadline, and finish the season 3-14. Their offense scored over 27 points only one other time, against the patchwork Bengals. Jets fans, we wholeheartedly apologize for the false sense of hope.

Best Tweet Of The Year: Seth Rorabaugh sees the future

The Local Pittsburgh Penguins writer went 2-for-2, predicting both a classically bizarre Mike Tomlin quote and Pittsburgh’s signing of a former star in the twilight of his career. Within 24 hours of Rorabaugh’s tweet, Adam Theilen was a Steeler.

Most Intriguing Future: Darnell Washington

Washington, like Gainwell, started the season buried in a deep position room behind Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth. Thanks to Smith’s heavy reliance on tight ends, however, Washington was given opportunities to produce, and he made the most of them as he stiff-armed and truck-sticked his way into Rodgers’ list of favorite targets. A broken arm suffered in week 17 ended his season, but he’s already proven he belongs in his future head coaches gameplan. Once fully recovered, Washington will look to be a featured part of the offense in 2026.