Can The Steelers Take The AFC North In 2025?

The AFC North is arguably the most competitive division in football, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are once again in the thick of it. With the recent signing of Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers have added a future Hall of Famer to a team that’s been knocking on the playoff door for years. But does that make them true contenders for the division crown?

The Rodgers Effect

Rodgers’ arrival in Pittsburgh has certainly generated buzz, but oddsmakers remain cautious. Despite the upgrade at quarterback, sportsbooks like BetMGM have kept the Steelers’ odds to win the AFC North at +600 — third-best in the division behind the Ravens and Bengals2. Why the skepticism? Rodgers is 41, coming off a major Achilles injury, and his final seasons in Green Bay and New York were far from vintage.

Still, Rodgers is a significant improvement over last year’s quarterback carousel. If he can stay healthy and rekindle even a fraction of his MVP form, Pittsburgh’s offense could finally find the consistency it’s lacked since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The Steelers’ defense remains their backbone. Anchored by T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the unit ranked among the league’s best in points allowed last season. However, there are concerns about aging stars and depth, especially after being gashed by the Ravens’ run game in the playoffs.

Offensively, the addition of DK Metcalf brings a much-needed vertical threat, but trading away George Pickens leaves the receiving corps thinner than ideal5. The offensive line is still a work in progress, and the run game remains inconsistent.

The Competition

The Ravens are the reigning division champs and remain the favorites, thanks to Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat brilliance and a punishing defense. The Bengals, led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, boast one of the league’s most explosive offenses — though their defense remains a liability.

Cleveland, meanwhile, is a wild card. Their quarterback situation is murky, and while they’ve stockpiled talent, they’re still seen as longshots at +3000 to win the division.

In all, the Steelers are better — but are they good enough? Rodgers gives them a fighting chance, and Mike Tomlin’s track record of never having a losing season keeps them in the mix. But in a division stacked with elite quarterbacks and playoff-caliber rosters, Pittsburgh will need everything to break right.