Aaron Rodgers not too long ago mentioned that he believes the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of many 10-12 groups within the NFL that may win the Tremendous Bowl this 12 months. Based mostly on their offseason strikes, that’s their objective. The Steelers haven’t received a playoff sport for the reason that 2016 season, they usually need to recover from that hump. Nevertheless, it may be somewhat quickly to name them championship contenders. Mike Florio is skeptical of Rodgers’ feedback.
“Within the AFC, the powerhouse groups are the Chiefs, the Payments, the Ravens, the Texans; they’ve made it to the ultimate eight two straight years, the Bengals, assuming they’ll get their act collectively early within the season,” Florio mentioned Friday on the Professional Soccer Discuss podcast. “That’s 5 proper there. And the Chargers and Broncos seemed fairly good final 12 months, too. That’s seven.
“The place do the Steelers match? We seemed on the groups within the NFC as nicely. Eagles, Lions, Rams, 49ers, Buccaneers. That’s 5 proper there. We’re as much as 11. Packers, Vikings, Washington. If the Steelers are one of many high 10 or 12 groups heading into this 12 months, it’s quantity 12. In the event that they even get a seat on the desk, they’re quantity 12. I’m unsure they’re.”
There are at the moment loads of high quality groups within the NFL, at the very least on paper. The AFC specifically seems to be like a gauntlet. The Chiefs and Payments are the cream of the crop, all the time within the combine if their quarterbacks are wholesome. The Ravens seemed like a powerhouse final 12 months, too.
Nevertheless, the remainder of the AFC doesn’t appear unbeatable for the Steelers. The Bengals’ offense seems to be daunting, however their protection could possibly be a multitude once more. The Texans took a step again final 12 months after a great 2023 season. Additionally, the Steelers beat the Chargers and Broncos final 12 months. These groups are all totally different now, nevertheless it reveals they aren’t out of Pittsburgh’s league.
One of many greatest issues going for the Steelers is their consistency. Whereas they haven’t received a playoff sport in years, they’ve normally discovered their means into the postseason. Any staff that will get into the playoffs has an opportunity.
The Steelers’ Tremendous Bowl hopes may come all the way down to how nicely Rodgers can nonetheless play. Lately, they’ve made the playoffs regardless of poor quarterback play. Whereas Rodgers isn’t the identical participant that he was, if he can at the very least be common, Pittsburgh may be capable of elevate its ceiling.
Additionally, it’s vital to notice that the NFL is unpredictable. Accidents and different variables normally shake the league up. A path might open up for the Steelers to combat for a championship. Equally, their season could possibly be a catastrophe. They made enhancements, and now, they’ll need to hope all their new items can jell to make them Tremendous Bowl contenders.
