The Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines earlier this week after it was announced that they would be facing the New Orleans Saints in Paris in Week 7 of the upcoming NFL season. Now, it has been revealed that the Steelers were not the only team in the running to face the Saints in France.
According to Saints insider Jeff Duncan, the Green Bay Packers were the other team that was considered to face off against the Saints in late October. However, New Orleans didn’t want to face a crucial NFC opponent at a neutral site with possible playoff implications. That is why the Steelers were chosen as the Saints’ Paris opponent.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Should Have the Advantage Over the New Orleans Saints
GettyWhen the Steelers and Saints face off in Paris, it will be the NFL’s first-ever game played there.
Here is what Duncan posted to social media on Thursday about why the Steelers were ultimately chosen to head to Paris instead of the Packers:
“I’m told the Green Bay Packers were also a candidate to be the Saints’ Paris opponent. Understandably, the Saints were not thrilled about losing a home game vs. a key NFC foe, a game w/ potential playoff tiebreaker implications. So perhaps the NFL acquiesced & compromised on PIT.”
The Steelers will have a great opportunity to win this matchup, especially with future first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers expected to be back in the fold for at least one more season. After this team won 10 games and the AFC North with a bottom-half-of-the-league offense and defense, new head coach Mike McCarthy has a great chance to improve this team. The additions of two-time 1,000-yard wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., Super Bowl champion cornerback Jamel Dean, and others are likely to put Pittsburgh in a trendy position.
In this matchup against a Saints team that won just six games last year, the Steelers should have the advantage. With the amount of experience and the fan support that the Steelers have, it should be their game to win in Week 7.
Steelers Should Win Double-Digit Games Again
GettySteelers All-Pro DT Cam Heyward signed an extension with the organization this offseason.
Steelers fans should not expect this team to have a drop-off at all in 2026. In fact, it wouldn’t be that crazy to see Pittsburgh increase its win total from a season ago. After finishing 2025 ranked 25th in total offense, the hiring of McCarthy, one of the best offensive coaches and quarterback gurus of this era, should pave the way for an improved offense. Plus, the team’s free agency additions, including that of back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle, should greatly help this presumed Aaron Rodgers-led offense.
Defensively, led by Cam Heyward and future Hall of Fame edge-rusher T.J. Watt, the Steelers can’t get much worse than they were a year ago. The additions of veteran defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, safety Jaquan Brisker, and Dean should greatly help out the roster. Expect this team to be at least a playoff contender under McCarthy in year one.
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