This 12 months, the Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to interrupt their streak of playoff losses. They haven’t received a postseason sport because the 2016 season, with most of their losses being blowouts. 2023 was certainly one of their most up-to-date journeys to the postseason. That season felt like a catastrophe at instances, however the Steelers ultimately rallied to finish the 12 months, successful three straight video games to make the playoffs. Sadly, they went one-and-done, however former Steelers vast receiver Allen Robinson II thinks that workforce may’ve been extra profitable.
“For me, my primary factor was I needed to get myself again wholesome and I needed to get to those playoffs, by any means,” Robinson mentioned not too long ago on ShowTimeSpeaks’ YouTube channel. “For us, we had some quarterback adjustments and various things like that, however I had been there earlier than.
“Me with the ability to have and being the particular person within the room and within the offense that everybody may lean on to a sure diploma was big. That’s throughout the board. Granted, we find yourself attending to the playoffs, and I feel that’s a workforce that considerably underachieved. I feel we may’ve been lots higher.”
That was Robinson’s lone season in Pittsburgh, and he helped them end with a file of 10-7. Issues weren’t fairly for many of that 12 months, although. The Steelers cycled by way of three completely different quarterbacks. Initially, Kenny Pickett was their starter, however he acquired harm. Even when he was wholesome, he didn’t appear to be taking a big step in his second NFL season.
With Pickett out, Mitch Trubisky took over beneath heart, and issues didn’t look good in Pittsburgh. He began two video games for them, and the Steelers didn’t win both of these video games. In complete, he appeared in 5 video games, throwing 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
After three losses in a row down the stretch, the Steelers have been sitting at 7-7. Their playoff hopes have been in jeopardy. Nevertheless, they made one other change at quarterback, making Mason Rudolph their starter. Due to him, the Steelers received their remaining three video games of the 12 months, securing their playoff spot.
In that approach, it feels just like the Steelers overachieved in 2023. Most groups wouldn’t have come near the playoffs with such inconsistent quarterback play.
Additionally, the Steelers confronted the Buffalo Payments within the playoffs that 12 months. That was no straightforward matchup. The Payments have been probably the greatest groups within the league, having Tremendous Bowl aspirations. Led by Josh Allen, it felt just like the Steelers have been an extended shot to win that sport. They might go on to lose 31-17, and the rating was 21-0 at one level. It was clear that Buffalo was on a distinct degree in comparison with Pittsburgh.
It might be fascinating to listen to why Robinson thinks that the workforce underachieved. Maybe a part of that was on account of Matt Canada serving as their offensive coordinator for a lot of the season. If they’d fired him earlier than the 2023 season began, maybe Pickett would’ve developed higher, giving them a extra productive offense.
Whether or not they underachieved or not is up for debate. Had they been a little bit higher on offense, possibly they might’ve prevented a number of the pointless losses they suffered that 12 months. That would’ve put them in a greater place going into the postseason.
Residing in a world of hypotheticals within the NFL will be powerful, although. That season was what it was. It resulted within the Steelers making some severe adjustments, like firing Canada and ultimately buying and selling Pickett. Now, they’re nonetheless trying to find a playoff win. Hopefully, Aaron Rodgers and firm can keep away from the errors that the 2023 Steelers made.
