When perspective is applied rather than passion, the Steelers’ head coach is appreciated for what he can still accomplish. When it isn’t he’s a convenient scapegoat.
They might be eliminated from postseason contention before they play the Ravens. But there would still be plenty to play for, even if it comes to that on Sunday night in Baltimore.
Franco Harris’ No. 32 jersey should have been retired years ago. But it’ll have been worth the wait if the occasion serves as a reminder that the 1970s should never go out of style.
There had been a plan for the rookie QB and the rookie wide receiver all along. The rookie duo provided a glimpse of what that plan entails by picking up where they had left off in Indianapolis.
Winning is always the ultimate goal, no matter the circumstances. As for the draft, the Steelers have found some of their best players in the later rounds.
The NFL used to love putting the Steelers on national television. But moving their upcoming rematch against the Bengals into TV oblivion is an unimpeachable indictment of what the Steelers have become.
It’s no longer all about refusing to give in no matter the circumstances of a given season. It’s about accepting where they are and finding the most practical way to get where they want to be.
A healthy Kenny Pickett will absolutely, positively get the call on Sunday night in Miami. But in committing to Pickett the Steelers are missing out on an opportunity to see if what Mitch Trubisky somehow managed to recapture against Tampa Bay had a shelf life.
Their No. 1 pick knows how to play, otherwise he wouldn’t have been drafted in the first round. But now that he’s demonstrated a grasp of how to be the quarterback, the Steelers have come to a conclusion: Their future is now.
The best-laid plans included Mitch Trubisky doing just enough in conjunction with a dominant defense to make the 2022 season a special one. So far, it hasn't worked out that way and if things don't turn around soon, the Steelers must be prepared to make a change.
They haven’t won many games and they’ve been downright embarrassing on occasion. But the Bucs have still found ways to make their mark, or at least a mark. Better that than obscure incompetence.
There’s a lot of work yet to be done for a team that’s just getting started. But commitment to the cause and attention to detail were boxes the Steelers checked repeatedly in their season-opening victory over the Bengals.
