Dan Orlovsky has predicted a nightmarish start to the NFL season for one team after schedules were released on Wednesday.
In their first six games next season, the Steelers will face just one team (the Vikings) who made the playoffs last year.
Nonetheless, due to the team’s uncertainty at quarterback, Orlovsky believes a winless first six weeks is awaiting Pittsburgh.
Speaking on a special edition of ESPN’s SportsCenter, host Laura Rutledge asked: ‘Look at that start of the schedule and imagine that Mason Rudolph is the quarterback. Do you feel like with what he’s got around him they would still do well there?’
‘No, I think you’re staring at 0-6 in the face,’ Orlovsky replied.
He later added: ‘It’s an offense that’s only DK Metcalf right now on the perimeter.’
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky (second left) has predicted a nightmarish start for the Steelers
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in 18 years leading the team
“I think you’re staring at 0-6 in the face.” 😳 @danorlovsky7, @LRiddickESPN and @PSchrags analyze the Steelers’ QB room compared to their compeтιтion 😅 pic.twitter.com/mSjI3SqW1P
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) May 15, 2025
The Steelers will face the Jets, Seahawks, Patriots and Vikings in the first four weeks before a Week 5 bye. They’ll then face the Browns and Bengals.
While the team has been heavily linked with Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback still has yet to make a decision, and it’s not even clear if he’ll continue playing.
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That’s left Mason Rudolph as the team’s current QB1, and some are clearly uninspired by that possibility after he tossed nine interceptions in eight games for the тιтans last year.
The Steelers’ schedule, which grades out as the 10th-hardest by 2024 win percentage, actually gets harder in the second half of the year with matchups against the Packers (Week 8), Chargers (Week 10), Bills (Week 13) and Lions (Week 16), in addition to the usual AFC North rivals.
Incredibly, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in 18 years coaching the team.
However, that could be threatened if the team is unable to land Rodgers as its starting quarterback.
While Rodgers has confirmed that he’s had discussions with Tomlin, he said there is ‘no ᴅᴇᴀᴅline’ on him making a decision.
Aaron Rodgers has had discussions with the Steelers this offseason after the Jets cut him
Mason Rudolph is currently the Steelers’ QB1 after returning from the тιтans
‘I’m in a different phase of my life, I’m 41 years old, I’m in a serious relationship, I have personal commitments I’ve made… and people in my inner circle battling difficult stuff,’ he told Pat McAfee on his ESPN show.
‘To make a commitment to a team is a big thing.’
If Rodgers is ultimately not lured by the idea of playing in Pittsburgh, the team will likely enter the season with Rudolph as starter.
The 2018 third-rounder is in his second stint with the team, having started 13 games for them between 2019 and 2023.
In 29 career appearances, he’s averaged 159.1 pᴀssing yards per game and has tossed 28 touchdowns against 20 interceptions.
