The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the more polarizing teams in the NFL heading into the 2025 season. After acquiring Aaron Rodgers, many seem to be taking aim at the Steelers due to their personal feelings toward the future Hall of Fame quarterback. However, Bleacher Report gave the Steelers a surprisingly high ranking in their pre-training camp power rankings. Pittsburgh came in at No. 13 on the list.

“I’ve said before that I don’t like a Pittsburgh quarterback plan that is centered around 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers,” Kristopher Knox writes. “At least, Rodgers is finally signed and officially with Pittsburgh for the 2025 season. I’m only a tad higher on Pittsburgh than I was after the draft, however. If Cincinnati’s defense is even respectable, I’ll view the Steelers as the third-best team in the AFC North, and I’m not certain that Rodgers can deliver the Steelers’ first playoff win since the 2016 season. I also don’t think the recent Minkah Fitzpatrick-Jalen Ramsey swap was an overwhelming win for Pittsburgh, though I do like what Jonnu Smith can bring as a second tight end.”

The Steelers were ranked ahead of teams like the Bengals (15), the Dallas Cowboys (17), and Minnesota Vikings (14). This feels somewhat surprising considering the almost unanimous crossed-arm feelings from many national media personalities when it comes to Aaron Rodgers. However, Bleacher Report seems to realize the roster is improved from 2024, and that Rodgers is better than Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.