The Steelers won't play the Jaguars in London in 2020.
Tuesday, the Associated Press reported the Jaguars will host consecutive home games overseas in the 2020 season, adding that the team's home games against the Steelers and the Bears are protected, meaning they will take place on U.S. soil at TIAA Bank Field.
This marks the first time in league history a team will play overseas in consecutive weeks.
Where the Steelers are concerned, this move is significant. Art Rooney II has expressed interest in playing in Mexico City in 2020, as the Steelers boast a significant fanbase there. The NFL has confirmed both the Falcons and the Dolphins will host an international game in 2020, however, and the Steelers will not face either of those teams.
With the Jaguars officially occupying two of the four London games for next year and the Falcons and the Dolphins taking up another two, that leaves just one international game on the table for the 2020 season for the Steelers to potentially snag. The Falcons reportedly will play at Tottenham, which leaves only the Dolphins in question. Should they get the nod for Mexico City, that would, of course, rule out Rooney's wish of the Steelers playing there next season.
Most speculation points to the Steelers facing the Cowboys in Mexico City next season, which makes sense from a ratings/viewership standpoint but is unconfirmed at this time. The Steelers will face the Cowboys on the road next year.
“We continue to raise our hand and say we’re interested in playing a game in Mexico,” Rooney said earlier in January. “But who knows? I don’t even know if they’ve announced if there is a game in Mexico this year. All the pieces of the puzzle have to fit to even have a game down there. Our first choice is to play a game in Mexico, if we have a choice.”
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