Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

NFL schedule maker confirms one of the worst teams in Pittsburgh is responsible for early-season Steelers away games

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated May 22, 2025 3:08 PM ET

When the Pittsburgh Steelers schedule dropped, it marked an all too familiar scenario for fans.

A Week 1 game on the road.

Why does that tend to be the case for the Steelers? Well, it's due to the Pittsburgh Pirates...

"It's definitely impacted by the Pirates' schedule", NFL schedule maker Mike North told 93.7 The Fan via transcription by SD regarding the lack of home games in Week 1 for the Steelers.

"Maybe someday when the Pirates get good again and start making playoff runs in October, we'll have to figure out a way to do a Steelers game at 1 o'clock in the afternoon and then maybe the Pirates host an NLCS Game 2 at 8 o'clock that night", added North. "I know you guys can do it. But in the regular season, for them, for us, it's usually something we try to avoid".

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers)

The Pittsburgh Steelers, having to hold up their home opener due to the PIRATES of all teams seems a** backwards to me, even if the Pirates' schedule obviously comes out months before the Steelers' does.

I mean, are the MLB schedule makers incapable of giving the Pirates an away trip in early September? It's not like the Pirates are some premier attraction in Pittsburgh, even in May when they're the only ticket in town.

Shame pic.twitter.com/AMfAsZgtgz
— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) May 20, 2025

And nor should they be. The fanbase is sick and tired of the ownership group of the Pirates, specifically Bob Nutting. Here they sit with a generational, and I mean truly generational prospect via pitcher Paul Skenes, and yet the team sits last in their division and with the second-worst record in the National League.

I can promise you this, the vast majority of the PGH will be at home, watching the Steelers play the New York Jets in Week 1, opposed to sitting at PNC Park (albeit what is likely to be a beautiful day) and watching the last of what is yet another season to forget for the Buccos.