The Pittsburgh Steelers have made some splashy strikes this offseason in an try and win in 2025. However for a staff with no long-term plan at quarterback, there’s been some criticism that the Steelers aren’t simply punting on the season for an opportunity at a excessive draft choose. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler mentioned on UnSportsmanlike on Wednesday morning that going by means of a rebuild is one thing the Steelers are by no means going to do.
“I believe the Steelers logic is we’re by no means gonna rebuild. Take a look at the Giants final 12 months, they gained 4 video games, didn’t even get the primary pick of it in a draft that solely had one surefire quarterback in Cam Ward. Going that method is simply not an possibility for Pittsburgh, they’re simply by no means going to lean into that. That’s not their method, they really feel it’s depressing. They’re gonna attempt to win even when they’re inferior at say, the quarterback place, which they’ve been,” Fowler mentioned.
There hasn’t been a cause for the Steelers to completely rebuild in a very long time. There have been a number of blips and some unhealthy seasons since Invoice Cowher took over, just like the 6-10 staff in 2003, which netted them the eleventh choose and Ben Roethlisberger. Mike Tomlin has by no means had a beneath .500 season, so there’s by no means been an actual cause for the Steelers to go that route. The 2003 season is an effective instance for Fowler’s level – the Steelers gained six video games and didn’t draft within the prime 10. They obtained fortunate {that a} generational quarterback fell to them.
There are at all times groups seeking to rebuild or tank, and simply because the Steelers might go that route, doesn’t guarantee they’ll get as excessive of a draft choose as they need. There’s inherent danger concerned in doing so, they usually clearly really feel that attempting to compete is the most effective technique. Whereas it might imply they draft within the 20s subsequent 12 months as a substitute of within the teenagers, the Steelers even have lots of 2026 draft capital as ammo to attempt to transfer up if crucial.
For as irritating as it may be for the fanbase to observe the Steelers battle within the postseason and their incapability to actually contend not too long ago, watching a four-win staff with no assure of a lightweight on the finish of the tunnel could be a lot, a lot worse.
A variety of groups that make the acutely aware option to rebuild are perpetually rebuilding. Whereas it’s labored out in some circumstances (the Washington Commanders final 12 months being a latest instance), it’s not a surefire repair to a staff and the Steelers just like the expertise they’ve added this offseason. In the event that they suppose they’ll make some noise, they are going to, and going by means of a rebuild isn’t one thing the Rooney household and Pittsburgh’s entrance workplace will ever select to do.
