Steelers’ primetime snub just gave them a sneaky schedule advantage

After a long and chaotic offseason, Pittsburgh Steelers fans finally received some clarity Wednesday night when the NFL released the 2025 regular season schedule. Unfortunately, they were a little shortchanged in the primetime games department.

For a team still scrambling to patch roster holes and establish an identity, the announcement felt less like hype and more like direction. Buried within that schedule was something that may go unnoticed by some, but to me, it feels like a gift.

The Steelers were spared excessive primetime exposure.

Pittsburgh will appear in just four primetime games this season, the same number as in 2024. On paper, that might disappoint fans hoping to see their team in the national spotlight. But if we are honest, this is a massive win.

The Steelers—gritty, proud, and steeped in tradition—are currently a team in transition. More time under the stadium lights would have only highlighted their growing pains.

Their primetime slate includes a Week 7 Thursday night clash with the Bengals and a Week 8 Sunday night battle against the Packers. Both will be critical matchups, especially the divisional bout with Cincinnati.

After that, Pittsburgh wraps its night-game duties with a Sunday Night Football game in Week 10 against the Chargers. They will finish the tour with a Week 15 Monday night match with the Dolphins.

That is it. No overexposure. No overwhelming spotlight.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quiet 2025 NFL Schedule will work in Mike Tomlin's favor

For a team still figuring out its quarterback situation, testing new faces on the defensive line, and building chemistry across both sides of the ball, a controlled level of attention is ideal. It provides Mike Tomlin’s squad time to grow outside the harsh glare of prime-time scrutiny.

Let’s face it—this roster isn’t as strong or cohesive as last season's group. The last thing the Steelers need is weekly pressure to prove themselves in front of a national audience.

What the NFL schedule writers did here was subtle but impactful. They didn’t hide the Steelers. They still have moments on the big stage, but they also have breathing room.

Breathing room to find rhythm, define roles, and build confidence before the playoff picture starts to form.

Pittsburgh doesn’t need a spotlight right now. What they need is time. And that’s exactly what they’ve been given.