2003 Pittsburgh Steelers season


The 2003 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 71st season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League.
Their season began with the team trying to improve on their 10–5–1 record from NFL season|2002] in which they lost to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round of the playoffs.
With the team suffering through injuries as well as less reliance on the running game than normal, the Steelers stumbled to a 6–10 record, going the entire season without winning consecutive games. Since moving to Heinz Field in 2001 [Pittsburgh Steelers season|2001], this was the Steelers' first season with a losing record and their first season missing the playoffs. The team's record is tied with that of the 1999 season as the worst for a season under head coach Bill Cowher. This was the Steelers' only losing season from 2000 to 2025.
In his final season with the team, linebacker Jason Gildon became the franchise's career sack leader during a game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 9.
Since then, this represents the most recent losing season for the Steelers, as well as the only time they've lost to the Browns on Heinz Field in the regular season.

Offseason

Undrafted free agents

PlayerPositionCollege
Jason ArmsteadWide receiverOle Miss
Roy AttiehDefensive TackleKent State
Phil BraxtonWide receiverWest Virginia
Nashville DyerCornerbackKent State
Jack FaduleTackleHarvard
Rashad FaisonSafetySouth Carolina
Casey PoppingaTight endUtah State
Dan RumishekDefensive endMichigan
Jonathan RuffinKickerCincinnati
Leonard ScottWide receiverTennessee

Personnel

Notable additions include Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor.

Regular season

Schedule

Note: Intra-divisional opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1

Pittsburgh won their season opener for the first time since 1999.

Week 5

This was Pittsbrugh's last loss at home against Cleveland until 2020. As of 2025, this is the Steelers last regular season loss at home to Cleveland.

Week 8

This was the 1,000th game in Steelers history.

Week 12

The Steelers were the only team in the 2003 season to play on the road following a Monday night road game. The NFL at that time had typically given teams that traveled for a Monday night game either a home game or their bye week the following week. Steelers head coach Bill Cowher objected to the team playing a road game after a Monday night road game. Team president Dan Rooney said that he would not pursue the matter with the NFL, noting that the second game was in Cleveland, only from Pittsburgh.

Week 15

With the loss, the Steelers would be eliminated from playoff contention at 5-9, their first and only losing season since 1999.

Week 17

With the loss the Steelers would finish their season at 6-10, their most recent losing season as of 2025.