The Pittsburgh Steelers have performed 92 NFL seasons, their 93rd beginning in just some months. There have been highs, lows, and every little thing in between. In a brand new sequence we’ll use to move the time of the offseason, I’m rating all of them. From the worst season in franchise historical past to the very best, which implies choosing which of the six Tremendous Bowl winners got here out on high. Not a straightforward activity.
We’ll break this sequence down into elements (roughly) 10 at a time, working from worst to greatest, with one small caveat. I received’t be together with the staff’s two merger years, 1943 and 1944, when Pittsburgh mixed with the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Cardinals on account of a participant scarcity ensuing from WWII. Since these had been merger years the place Pittsburgh wasn’t solely its personal entity, they fall right into a separate class. We are going to rank the opposite 90.
Half One – Worst Of The Worst
Half Two – Not The Worst, Far From Finest
Half Three – Whole Stagnation
Rating Each Steelers Season (No. 60-51)
60. 1998 season (7-9 report)
The ’98 season received off to a promising begin. Pittsburgh began 3-1 and even climbed to 7-4, holding playoff hopes excessive because the yr hit the homestretch. However the Steelers utterly collapsed in comparable trend to 2024, shedding their last 5 regular-season video games to complete the season beneath .500. Pittsburgh was held in single-digit factors throughout three of these last 4 video games, the one exception a 25-24 defeat to a Cincinnati Bengals assortment that entered the sport 2-12, sweeping Pittsburgh within the season sequence to web two of their three wins that yr. Pathetic.
Quarterback play was a problem all yr. Mixed, Kordell Stewart and Mike Tomczak threw 13 landing passes to twenty interceptions, Stewart liable for all 16 begins. Solely two Steelers had not less than 300 receiving yards. The operating recreation was a vivid spot with Jerome Bettis going for almost 1,200 yards nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient. A top-10 scoring protection couldn’t save-face both.
Whereas the protection saved scores down, the sack manufacturing wasn’t there. EDGE Jason Gildon was the one participant with greater than 4. Offensively, heart Grime Dawson was named All-Professional for the ultimate time of his profession.
Pittsburgh ranked twenty eighth out of 30 groups in scoring offense and ended the yr with a minus-40 level differential.
Notable: WR Courtney Hawkins set the staff’s long-standing franchise report for receptions in a recreation, catching 14 passes in a loss to the Tennessee Oilers. That broke J.R. Wilburn’s 12 reception mark set method again in 1967.
59. 1971 season (6-8 report)
Extra indicators of progress in these early years below Noll. By 1972, the plan would come collectively. However Pittsburgh wanted to undergo yet one more below-.500 season. The Steelers completed seventeenth in offensive and defensive scoring. QB Terry Bradshaw continued to be an interception machine, tossing 22 of them in comparison with 13 touchdowns. The offensive items had been nonetheless on their method: RB Franco Harris together with WRs Lynn Swann and John Stallworth had been nonetheless in faculty whereas RB/FB Rocky Bleier had simply returned from his warfare wound and barely performed.
Pittsburgh went on only one profitable streak all yr, victories in Weeks 2-3, however nonetheless confirmed enchancment. The staff swept the Cincinnati Bengals and beat the Cleveland Browns to indicate life within the AFC Central.
Nonetheless, there have been rising pains. The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs blew Pittsburgh out 38-16 on Monday Night time Soccer, the second yr of the primetime slot’s existence. Worse, the Steelers blew a 21-3 result in the Miami Dolphins in Week 9, falling 24-21 as WR Paul Warfield scored 3 times, together with on a pair of 60-plus yard landing passes from Bob Griese. It’s tied for the largest blown lead in franchise historical past.
Defensively, DL L.C. Greenwood clocked in at 11 sacks however was snubbed from a Professional Bowl choice. DT Joe Greene and LB Andy Russell received nods as an alternative whereas rookie LB Jack Ham made an instantaneous influence with a pair of interceptions.
Notable: Regardless of outgaining the Chicago Bears 352-141 yards within the season opener, Pittsburgh misplaced 17-15. Seven Steelers turnovers was the counterbalance to their yardage benefit. Bradshaw threw 4 interceptions and the staff misplaced three fumbles.
58. 1952 season (5-7 report)
The report isn’t fairly however stays two video games below .500 like the 2 squads above. The distinction is in level differential. In 1952, Pittsburgh had a constructive end, plus-27, for less than the fourth time thus far in franchise historical past. 5 of the staff’s losses got here by one rating, together with some nailbiters: 21-20 to the Cleveland Browns in Week 2 and 29-28 once more to the Browns in Week 8.
Pittsburgh secured its largest win in franchise historical past this yr, clubbing the New York Giants 63-7. The Steelers pressured 9 turnovers, QB Jim Finks threw 4 landing passes, and RB/RET Lynn Chandnois ran again an early kickoff for a landing. The staff by no means seemed again. The Giants weren’t even a nasty staff again then, getting into the matchup 6-3.
After getting off to an unsightly 0-4 begin, the Steelers rallied the remainder of the way in which. Within the regular-season finale, Pittsburgh fell to the Los Angeles Rams 28-14 to fall shy of .500.
Within the first yr operating the T-formation as an alternative of the outdated Single Wing (Pittsburgh was the NFL’s final staff to make the change), Finks tied Otto Graham with 20 landing passes. He additionally completed third leaguewide with 19 interceptions. The operating recreation didn’t provide a lot, finish Ray Mathews “led” with 315 yards, however TE Elbie Nickel had a bang-up yr with 55 receptions, 884 yards, and 9 touchdowns in a justly-deserved Professional Bowl marketing campaign. Finks, Mathews, and Chandnois additionally made the Professional Bowl and Pittsburgh for actually the primary time had a very potent offense, ending fourth in scoring.
Defensively, CB Jack Butler intercepted seven passes within the early parts of his Corridor of Fame profession.
Notable: Pittsburgh’s offense completed with precisely 300 factors, a franchise-first. They wouldn’t cross that mark till 1962, then below a 14-game format. The Steelers’ 25 factors per recreation was the staff’s greatest mark till 1975, the staff’s second Tremendous Bowl run, after they averaged 26.6 factors per recreation.
57. 2013 season (8-8 report)
A yr that set a dreadful tone with an 0-4 begin. It’s additionally the final worldwide recreation Pittsburgh has performed; not less than till the Steelers host this yr’s Dublin recreation. Like 2025, the opponent again then was the Minnesota Vikings. A jet-lagged Steelers staff fell in need of a comeback bid, falling 34-27.
Pittsburgh bottomed out to 2-6 after an terrible 55-31 loss to the New England Patriots, probably the most factors the Steelers have ever allowed in a single recreation. The 610 yards allowed additionally stays a franchise worst. Heartbreak intensified after Antonio Brown almost beat the Miami Dolphins on a wild lateral play down the left sideline however he narrowly stepped out of bounds on his solution to the top zone. The defeat put Pittsburgh at 5-8.
The Steelers rattled off three-straight victories to shut out the yr, together with divisional wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns to complete second within the AFC North. Making the playoffs was attainable even in Week 17 however a win by the San Diego Chargers over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs formally eradicated them.
This was RB Le’Veon Bell’s rookie season. Regardless of lacking the primary three weeks with an ankle damage, he nonetheless managed almost 1,300 all-purpose yards with eight dashing scores. Antonio Brown broke out as a receiver, one yard shy of a 1,500-yard season, and a Professional Bowl accolade. Defensively, EDGE Jason Worilds led the staff with eight sacks however the protection completed with simply 10 interceptions.
The yr served as a swan tune of kinds for safeties Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark. A dynamic duo nearing the top of their careers, Clark left within the offseason and Polamalu spent only one extra season with the staff. It’s truthful to rank this yr even worse than I’ve positioned it.
Notable: Pittsburgh didn’t report a takeaway over its first 4 video games of the yr, all losses. The primary didn’t come till after the Week 5 bye, choosing off QB Geno Smith twice in a 19-6 win.
56. 1957 season (6-6 report)
An old-school model of 2019 that you simply’ll quickly see on this checklist. Nice protection, horri-bad offense. Pittsburgh ranked second in scoring protection (14.8 PPG) however final in scoring (13.4 PPG). The offense was held below 10 factors in 5 of 12 video games whereas turning it over not less than 4 instances in 5 contests. Earl Morrall served because the staff’s beginning quarterback, throwing 11 for touchdowns, whereas Billy Wells is a forgotten main rusher. He completed with 532 yards. Finish Jack McClairen led the staff in receiving and made the Professional Bowl however this was a forgettable yr with names misplaced to time.
Cornerback Jack Butler had probably the most memorable season, main the NFL with 10 interceptions. He was named first-team All-Professional.
Pittsburgh was aggressive for the primary half of the season, sitting 4-2 after Week 6, however dropped 4 of its last six to complete .500.
Notable: Pittsburgh beat the Chicago Cardinals 27-2 within the regular-season finale. It was the primary and stays simply the second event the Steelers have allowed precisely two factors in a recreation – 1972 in opposition to the San Diego Chargers is the opposite. The Cardinals’ factors got here on an errant Steelers punt the place the snap sailed out of the top zone.
55. 2012 season (8-8 report)
A season that skidded to the end. Pittsburgh spoiled a 6-3 begin by shedding 5 of its subsequent six, together with an extra time defeat in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys. For the primary and, thus far, solely time below Mike Tomlin, the Steelers performed a meaningless recreation. Eradicated from playoff competition after a Week 16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh completed .500 with a finale win over the Cleveland Browns. Nevertheless it was little comfort to a yr that went up in smoke.
The offense completed a lowly twenty second in scoring whereas the protection ranked sixth. RB Jonathan Dwyer led the staff dashing however nonetheless managed simply 623 yards whereas Antonio Brown regressed and missed time with damage. Pittsburgh’s protection didn’t permit many factors however failed to offer a lot splash, registering 37 sacks and 10 interceptions.
A low level got here throughout a Week 12 loss to the then 2-8 Browns. Pittsburgh turned the ball over eight instances – QB Charlie Batch threw three picks whereas RBs Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer, Chris Rainey, and Rashard Mendenhall together with WR Emmanuel Sanders fumbled the ball away. For the reason that merger, it’s certainly one of simply 5 video games during which Pittsburgh has turned it over eight or extra instances. It was the staff’s first since 1989.
Notable: A 34-year-old James Harrison tied Lawrence Timmons for the staff lead with six sacks. He would depart for the Cincinnati Bengals within the offseason.
54. 1953 season (6-6 report)
A .500 report however minus-52 factors differential with below-average marks on each side of the ball. Pittsburgh started the season 2-1 with wins over the New York Giants and Chicago Cardinals. However the staff misplaced to the Philadelphia Eagles in two of the subsequent three weeks and the Steelers remained at or beneath .500 the remainder of the season. Pittsburgh received its last two video games to finish 6-6.
QB Jim Finks regressed from his 1952 marketing campaign, throwing for simply eight touchdowns to 14 interceptions. The offense as a complete completed with extra dashing (13) than passing (10) scores. Athlete Lynn Chandnois was a multi-purpose risk and Professional Bowler, a vivid spot on the yr. Offensive lineman George Hughes made his second and last Professional Bowl.
Notable: To seize that last regular-season win over the Washington Redskins, CB Jack Butler intercepted 4 passes. That continues to be a Steelers single-game franchise report. Since 2000, solely two NFL gamers, Deltha O’Neal and DeAngelo Corridor, have picked off 4 passes.
53. 2019 season (8-8 report)
What a yr 2019 was. Nice protection, dog-turd offense. It’s exhausting in charge Pittsburgh for it. QB Ben Roethlisberger was misplaced six quarters into the season, forcing the staff to rotate between Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges the remainder of the yr. The Steelers’ solely remorse may’ve been buying and selling Josh Dobbs days earlier than Roethlisberger went down.
Buying and selling for FS Minkah Fitzpatrick shortly after, the protection assumed the mantle of needing to win each recreation. At instances, it was Pittsburgh’s greatest offense, scoring three defensive touchdowns. The Steelers completed fifth in factors allowed, solely permitting 28 factors as soon as over their last 11 video games. Not precisely 1976 however spectacular for the instances. T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree posted double-digit sacks with DT Cam Heyward one shy of becoming a member of them. Collectively, Pittsburgh recorded 53 sacks. CB Joe Haden and Fitzpatrick tied for the staff lead with 5 picks because the Steelers completed with 20. It was defensive dominance.
The offense? Not a lot. Roethlisberger’s elbow damage was the headliner however hardly the one one. RB James Conner, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, and rookie WR Diontae Johnson all missed motion. At instances, RB Kerrith Whyte Jr. and WR Tevin Jones noticed offensive enjoying time. No Steeler completed with even 500 dashing yards. WR James Washington led the staff in receiving.
Regardless of all of the obstacles, Pittsburgh rose to the second and late within the yr sat at 8-5 with the playoffs in sight. However the dam broke and the Steelers dropped their last three video games, together with a slopfest to the Baltimore Ravens in a finale they had been eradicated in earlier than the clock hit zero.
Mason Rudolph received knocked out by Baltimore after which once more by Myles Garrett. Assault. It was a bizarre season.
Notable: In a present of simply what number of gamers noticed the sphere, 18 totally different Steelers caught a move in 2019. And 12 of them carried the ball not less than as soon as. Names in these camps embrace WR Johnny Holton, RB Tony Brooks-James, and WR Deon Cain.
52. 1985 season (7-9 report)
A detrimental report however constructive level differential. Pittsburgh blew out the Indianapolis Colts 45-3 within the season opener, outgaining the opposition 445-159 with 30 offensive first downs. Two weeks later, the Steelers shut out the Houston Oilers, 20-0. However a 2-1 begin gave solution to a three-game shedding streak and 4 of the staff’s subsequent 5, dropping the Steelers’ report to 3-5. A 3-game rally put Pittsburgh above .500 earlier than one other three-game shedding skid put the nail within the yr’s coffin. A season of streaks.
One defeat ended within the highest-scoring recreation in franchise historical past, 54-44 to the San Diego Chargers on a Sunday evening in December. A loss to the New York Giants within the finale saved Pittsburgh beneath .500.
Quarterbacks Mark Malone and David Woodley cut up time. Malone had the higher numbers (13 TDs/7 INTs to Woodley’s 6 TDs/14 INTs), however Woodley had the higher report (4-2) versus Malone (3-5). Scott Campbell began a pair of video games, shedding each. RB Frank Pollard fell 9 yards shy of 1,000. WR Louis Lipps shined with greater than 1,100 receiving yards and second-team All-Professional choice. He additionally returned two punts for touchdowns. C Mike Webster and LB Mike Merriweather made the Professional Bowl whereas Ok Gary Anderson led the NFL with 33 subject objectives.
It was an unsightly division, and one the Steelers may’ve simply received. Whereas they technically ended third, they tied the Cincinnati Bengals with a 7-9 report behind division winner, the 8-8 Cleveland Browns.
Notable: Cleveland received the AFC Central with a detrimental level differential whereas the Steelers’ plus-24 was the division’s greatest mark.
51. 1987 season (8-7 report)
Report isn’t a typo. The NFL navigated a strike, marking the final time regular-season motion was misplaced on account of one. At separate factors of the season, Pittsburgh sat two video games above .500 and even 8-5 in mid-December however misplaced the ultimate two weeks to the Houston Oilers and Cleveland Browns.
QB Mark Malone and the passing recreation had been an eyesore because the Steelers bounced between wins and losses. Malone threw six landing passes to 19 interceptions. Add in Steve Bono’s three begins and Pittsburgh threw fpr 13 scores to 25 picks. Unhealthy throughout.
Earnest Jackson led Pittsburgh in dashing yards however had only one rating. In his last yr at age 35, John Stallworth was the one Steeler above 325 receiving yards and 25 receptions. Solely Mike Webster made the Professional Bowl.
Defensively, the Steelers completed tenth in scoring however picked up a lowly 26 sacks. Notable strike gamers included WR Joey Clinkscales and Ok David Trout, who hadn’t kicked for Pittsburgh or any NFL staff since 1981. In three video games, he made 10 further factors however missed each subject purpose makes an attempt.
Notable: QB Reggie Collier had solely seven move makes an attempt however made them notable. Two went for touchdowns, one was intercepted, and an eighth drop again noticed him sacked. For the reason that merger, solely two quarterbacks have thrown for 2 scores and one choose on 10 or fewer makes an attempt. Collier is one, the Miami Dolphins’ Jim Del Gaizo is the opposite in the course of the staff’s excellent 1972 season.
Rating Steelers’ Seasons (Recap)
90. 1941
89. 1965
88. 1934
87. 1939
86. 1969
85. 1940
84. 1945
83. 1968
82. 1938
81. 1988
80. 1933
79. 1955
78. 1935
77. 1967
76. 1964
75. 2003
74. 1951
73. 1937
72. 1948
71. 1936
70. 1970
69. 1986
68. 1991
67. 1966
66. 1999
65. 1954
64. 1956
63. 1960
62. 1950
61. 2022
60. 1998
59. 1971
58. 1952
57. 2013
56. 1957
55. 2012
54. 1953
53. 2019
52. 1985
51. 1987
