Kingerski: Sorry, Not Sorry, These Steelers Aren’t Good Enough
The public hunger and demand that the Pittsburgh Steelers trade for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was yet another example of a misplaced and hopeful outlook for the 2024 season. It seems the organization itself shares the same blind expectations despite a bevy of average or below-average talent.
General manager Omar Khan has been a proactive GM and has swung more trades in the last few years than in the 20 years prior, but it still hasn’t been enough to jolt the organization out of mediocrity.
The “Steelers Way” has become to lose games it should win only to embrace a furious rally at the end of the season. After a season of maddening quarterback inconsistency, third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph buoyed last season’s 10-7 record. Rudolph bolted via free agency after being buried on the depth chart for five years, but the Steelers replaced Rudolph and starter Kenny Pickett with 35-year-old Russel Wilson, who the Denver Broncos are paying $35 million to play elsewhere, and Justin Fields, a QB acquired for a mere sixth-round pick from a bad team because of poor in-game decisions and turnovers.
Sure, that should work well.
Otherwise, the Steelers have exceeded nine wins only twice in the past six years and, of course, are eight years removed from their last playoff win. When future Hall of Famer T.J. Watt said in full exasperation that he just wanted to win a playoff game, it was an unintentional right hook to an organization built on winning.
Read More: Watt Feels Embarrassed by No Playoff Wins.
In some sort of parallel universe, the warm glow resulting from messy 9-8 records that should only be good enough for perennially downtrodden organizations like Cincinnati or Cleveland has become standard fare in Pittsburgh, too.
The 2024 Steelers are no exception. Even the rosiest projections spit them squarely at 9-8 or 8-9. When did that become good enough?
Wilson’s anemic preseason performance was not met with dread or even awareness but instead embraced with blind eyes and excuses. Records don’t matter in the preseason, but performances do, and he was frightening.
Read More: Russell Wilson Favored to Be First Non-Rookie QB Benched
Rolling with a wide receiver corps that is a bit short on talent and has otherwise done nothing to distinguish itself? Just add that to the list.
Rebuild an offensive line, then watch it get steamrolled in the preseason. Yep.
Where have you gone, Maurkice Pouncey?
Yet it seems most expect lesser players to hear the Disney musical score, realize they’re now part of the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise that wins Super Bowls, and embrace their very best game and the well-timed symphonic crescendo. Coaches will be able to “coach up” the boys, and coach Mike Tomlin will lead the team to greatness.
As if other teams don’t have coaches?
Hey, don’t blame me for pointing out the prevailing sentiments that deluge social media daily and a spate of poor decisions at crucial positions. The poor organizational decisions for the quarterback position are only the neck of the ketchup bottle.
The offensive line is anchored at the tackles by an injured and struggling Broderick Jones on the right side and a perpetually underwhelming Dan Moore Jr. on the left. Even if the Steelers had an All-Pro QB, he might want to make sure all of his medical insurance premiums are paid up.
The defense, while pretty good, is a Watt injury away from being in trouble, too.
No, this team is not good enough. Like most of the teams in the past decade, it is awash in sub-par ability and mediocrity. In fact, nine wins very well might be an accomplishment for this group. A few more injuries and a bit of adversity could easily send this team careening toward the bottom.
You’ve been warned.
Projection: 7-10.
Read This Next
