Jerome Bettis thinks the Steelers’ offense could do more than just pad the score column this year. In his view, if the unit under Mike McCarthy starts building real leads, the ripple effect could be just as important on the other side of the ball.
That’s where the bigger payoff lives. A more reliable offense would let Patrick Graham be more aggressive with the defense instead of having to manage every series like one blown assignment could flip the game.
Bettis’ point wasn’t simply that Pittsburgh might “score more.” It was that scoring more consistently changes how the entire team can play.
Bettis put a specific number on it, too: 30 points. That’s a lofty bar, and the Steelers have the talent to get there, but not enough proof yet to call it their normal output.
“For the longest time, the defense had to keep people under 20 points in order for the Steelers to have a chance to win,” Bettis said on the FanSided episode hosted by Still Curtain's Tommy Jaggi. He believes this offense can reach 30 and give the defense room to use more pressure.
There’s some backing for that optimism in the 2025 numbers, even if they don’t fully validate it. Pittsburgh averaged 23.4 points and hit 30 only three times.
The Steelers were 6-6 when they allowed at least 20 points, so Bettis’ line in the sand wasn’t a literal rule last season. Still, six of their seven losses came in those games, which tells you the defense rarely had much margin for an average day.
If Pittsburgh gets out in front more often, the defense can hunt instead of just survive. Opponents will be forced to throw more, protections become easier to read, and T.J.
Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig can attack the quarterback with more freedom. Graham could even look at using a fourth rusher - Jack Sawyer, perhaps? - without worrying as much about a long, grinding drive eating up the clock.
The secondary would benefit too. Joey Porter Jr. and the rest of Pittsburgh’s revamped cornerback room would see more rushed throws and more chances to make plays on the ball. And if the offense can string together longer drives, the defense won’t have to live on the field snap after snap, which matters a lot for the 37-year-old Cam Heyward.
The offensive upside isn’t coming out of nowhere. Rodgers threw 24 touchdowns against seven interceptions last year, and McCarthy has been reunited with him in a group that includes DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Jaylen Warren, and Rico Dowdle. Compared with most of Pittsburgh’s post-Ben Roethlisberger offenses, that’s a much stronger supporting cast.
The offensive line still has questions, but Bettis’ larger idea holds up: if Pittsburgh can get to 30 often enough, it can push opponents out of their comfort zone and turn an expensive defense into something even more dangerous.
In Other News...
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Pittsburgh is reportedly open to trading Rudolph, and the Seahawks situation could make them a team worth watching if they want a seasoned option behind center. The Steelers currently have four quarterbacks on the roster, and with Seattle dealing with uncertainty under center, Pittsburgh may find itself weighing whether this is the right time to move a veteran or hold tight while the market sorts itself out. [Read more 🡒]
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Steelers Opener Suddenly Comes With A Big Tua Concern
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Atlanta has not offered an official update, and for Pittsburgh the bigger question is whether the quarterbacks status changes by kickoff. The Falcons have already named Tagovailoa their starter for the opener, with Cooper Rush next in line if needed, but until there is more clarity, the Steelers will be preparing for a game plan that could hinge on how that back issue responds. [Read more 🡒]