Slay Says Steelers Can Repeat as AFC North Champs

Veteran cornerback Darius Slay believes Pittsburgh can win the division again after a four-game winning streak.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football

Slay Says Steelers Can Repeat as AFC North Champs

The Pittsburgh Steelers have won four straight games and now hold sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Cornerback Darius Slay, who played on last year's division-title team, said on CBS Sports HQ this week that he sees the Steelers repeating as champions.

Why it matters

The Steelers' rebound from early-season losses gives Pittsburgh a realistic path to defending its division crown. Slay's comments add a veteran's perspective on a team that has tightened up on both sides of the ball.

Jaylen Warren leads the league in yards per carry and ranks third in scrimmage yards, while the defense has allowed just 52 rushing yards across its last two combined games. Opponents have found the end zone only three times in 19 quarters against Pittsburgh, though the sample does not show how the schedule ahead will test that run.

The players

Darius Slay

Veteran cornerback who played for the Steelers during their run to the AFC North title last year and now offers his view on the team's chances to repeat.

The details

Cornerback Darius Slay, who was on the Steelers roster during last year's run to the AFC North title, said the team can repeat that feat. Warren has contributed both as a runner and a receiver, and the offense and defense have both improved since early-season losses.

Last year: Steelers won the AFC North title, with Slay on the roster.
Last month: Offense and defense improved after early-season losses.
Earlier this week: Slay made the repeat prediction on CBS Sports HQ.

Season Trajectory

Pittsburgh's sole possession of first place in the AFC North follows the path of its 2025 division title, which Slay helped win. A repeat would give the franchise back-to-back division crowns and reinforce its standing as one of the division's most consistent contenders.

The Steelers' lead in the AFC North sets the division standings that will shape playoff seeding and tiebreaker scenarios as the season moves on. Fantasy managers tracking Jaylen Warren's production should watch his workload as the team continues its run.

The takeaway

A team's recent results can shift its division outlook quickly, so checking current standings after each week gives the clearest picture of the race. Following a division's standings across several weeks is more reliable than reading too much into a single winning streak.