Vegas hasn't been kind to the Pittsburgh Steelers recently, and rightfully so. Head Coach Mike Tomlin and his squad haven't won a playoff game since 2016, going one-and-done in three playoff appearances since. The black and gold haven't made it to the big game in over 12 years now, when they lost to the Green Bay Packers. In a franchise that exemplifies excellence, it's unusual territory for fans.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin stands with his defense prior to a 2022 regular season game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (@JSKO_Photo Twitter)
It seems like it will be more of the same in 2023, as the opening odds don't look promising. The Kansas City Chiefs, who defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday evening, open as the favorites for 2023-24. Both FanDuel and Caesars Sportsbook, two separate sports betting sites, have the Steelers' Super Bowl odds at +5000. Now if you are unfamiliar with betting, that means that if you placed $10, you would win $500 if the Steelers pulled off the miracle next season.
ESPN high on 2023-24 Steelers
FanDuel has the black and gold with the 21st-best odds, while the +5000 odds are tied-for-19th with four other teams with Caesars. ESPN is actually a little bit higher on Tomlin's group, as they rank 14th in the way-too-early 2023 NFL power rankings. That's about the only place where the Steelers don't rank last in the AFC North, as they are ahead of the Cleveland Browns in ESPN's power rankings.
It's clear the Steelers have a lot of work to do to get back to the elite ranks. That holds particularly true for the division they are in, as the Cincinnati Bengals just recently made their second consecutive AFC Championship appearance. Now would be the perfect time for them to shock the world, especially while Kenny Pickett is still on his rookie contract. That's a model that many teams have been able to take advantage of over the last few years, particularly when you don't have a guy like Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) scrambles during a regular season game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (@JSKO_Photo Twitter)
What do the Steelers have to do in order to get back to the big game? How long do you think it will be before Tomlin and his squad does make it back? Who were you cheering for on Sunday night? Share your thoughts on these odds in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites!
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