Remember when the Pittsburgh Steelers were reportedly passed up by the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2026 international game? Well, the shoe appears to be on the other foot this time around, as Pittsburgh may have beaten out the Green Bay Packers for the Paris game against the New Orleans Saints.
According to well-respected Saints insider Jeff Duncan, the Packers were a “candidate” as a potential Paris opponent for New Orleans, but the Steelers ultimately landed the matchup. He added that the Saints “were not thrilled about losing a home game vs. a key NFC foe,” and that the league may have seen Pittsburgh as a better compromise.
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.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) May 13, 2026
The Steelers and the Saints have faced off 17 times, with New Orleans holding a 9-8 advantage over Pittsburgh. But the international game at Stade de France offers the Steelers a chance to tie things up at nine wins apiece.
In what was the first of Pittsburgh’s schedule leaks for the 2026 season, the Steelers will travel to Paris to take on the Saints in Week 7, an exciting international matchup that is sure not to disappoint.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers may have been preferred over Packers for Paris game, per report
