The Pittsburgh Steelers have been stuck in a cycle of mediocrity for far too long. Despite their consistent 9-10 win seasons, the team has failed to make a meaningful impact in the playoffs. In fact, their playoff results have been eerily similar since 2017, with early exits and ugly losses becoming the norm.
The team’s defenders often argue that Steelers fans should be grateful for the team’s current situation, citing the fact that they’ve managed to remain above .500. However, this line of thinking ignores the fact that not all winning seasons are created equal.
The Steelers’ recent history is riddled with disappointing seasons, including:
Blowing a 7-2-1 start in 2018 to miss the playoffs
Starting 1-4 in 2019 and missing the playoffs again
Losing five of six to close out 2020 after a promising 11-0 start
– Starting 2-6 in 2022 and missing the playoffs once more
Losing three in a row to non-playoff teams in December 2023
Ending 2024 with a dismal five-game losing streak
This level of mediocrity has become all too familiar for Steelers fans. The team’s painfully bad offense and inept quarterback play since Ben Roethlisberger’s injury in 2019 have been particularly frustrating.
The question remains: are the Steelers willing to take a step back and rebuild in order to become a legitimate contender once again? Or will they continue to strive for mediocrity, settling for 9-10 win seasons and early playoff exits?
It’s time for the Steelers to take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that their current approach isn’t working. It’s time for a change.
