Art Rooney II addresses Steelers' schedule: 'Not how I would have drawn it up'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the third-toughest schedule in the NFL based on 2023 win totals and the hardest schedule based on projected win totals for 2024, according to Sharp Football Analysis.

Of course, teams can always underperform or overperform, but on paper, it looks like the Steelers are in for a brutal season.

It's safe to say President and CEO Art Rooney II isn't a big fan of the schedule.

"It's probably not exactly how I would have drawn it up, but we've got to do the best we can," Rooney II said, via the team's official website.

The Steelers start their season with back-to-back road games against the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos and then host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3 for their home opener.

However, Pittsburgh's final two months of the season may be more difficult than anything the team has faced in 50 years.

The Steelers do not play an AFC North opponent until Sunday, Nov. 17 in a Week 11 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. It is the latest they have faced a division opponent for the first time since the 1970 merger, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac.

Six of Pittsburgh's final eight games are within the AFC North and the team's two non-divisional opponents during the stretch are the Philadelphia Eagles (Week 15) and Kansas City Chiefs (Week 17).

The Steelers went 5-1 in the division last year, but Rooney II acknowledged anything can happen this season.

"You never take anything for granted. The teams in our division are all tough," Rooney II added. "Some people would say we have the toughest division in football, and I probably would agree with that. They'll all be tough games. It will be a challenge."

That it will, but head coach Mike Tomlin always seems to have his team in contention for the playoffs by season's end. Rooney II expects nothing different this year.

"Mike does a good job of getting guys ready," Rooney II finished. "There are no excuses in terms of what day of the week you're playing. You just have to be ready to go when the time comes."