Will the Steelers offense take a step forward?
Mike McCarthy secured a victory in his opening regular-season contest as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, defeating the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 20-13 at Acrisure Stadium on September 13, 2026. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, sporting jersey number 8, presented McCarthy with the commemorative game ball following the contest to celebrate the coach's milestone win.
Rodgers acknowledged the significance of capturing a first victory in such a distinct environment, even as Pittsburgh relied heavily on an exceptional defensive showing spearheaded by T.J. Watt to compensate for early offensive growing pains.
Despite starting the year at 1-0, McCarthy recognized that the unit committed noticeable miscues and indicated a strong desire to fix those shortcomings going forward. While Rodgers received favorable evaluations for his downfield passing attempts, lineman Troy Fautanu faces heightened pressure to deliver an improved showing when the Steelers prepare for their upcoming Week 2 showdown with the New England Patriots.
