The Pittsburgh Steelers are pretty familiar with playoff football. Since 2014, the franchise has made the playoffs seven times and missed out only three times. The problem is that when it comes to winning playoff games since 2014, that record flips. The Steelers are 3-7 in playoff games over the last 10 seasons. There has been a winning culture and extremely high expectations in the Steel City since the 1970s and these last 10 years haven't been cutting it. On paper, the Steelers have a good team in 2024, but they've had a solid roster in most of the last 10 seasons, and haven't been able to make any real noise deep into the postseason.
Getty Images
The last time the Steelers won a playoff game was a 2017 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Quarterback Russell Wilson is in a position to not only revive his own career, but to bring Pittsburgh its first playoff win since Chris Boswell made six field goals in an 18-16 Divisional round win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Alex Smith was the Chiefs' starting quarterback that season, meaning that Patrick Mahomes has won three Super Bowls since the Steelers last won a playoff game. Not fun to think about, but it really emphasizes how lackluster the team has been since the 2016 season.
Wilson is coming into this year with a chip on his shoulder after underperforming with the Denver Broncos and being released earlier this offseason. Wilson just finished up his first minicamp in Pittsburgh and reports acknowledged he looked good. Granted, minicamp practices aren't full contact and players are in shorts, but Wilson said it felt competitive. Wilson spoke to the media recently in a video posted on Steelers.com. He was asked how it felt to be out there on the field at minicamp.
"I think the best part, too, the energy is super high. I mean, the way we work, I mean, it's so competitive. Every rep feels like a playoff rep. Every rep feels like how it should."
High intensity in June is definitely a good sign. The energy is high and the guys aren't just going through the motions, they're battling. However, it's hard to gauge what kind of football team Head Coach Mike Tomlin will have based on some non-padded practices. Especially with a team whose identity will be running the football and playing tough defense. We'll get a better glimpse of the Steelers in training camp; high intensity minicamp practices are as good as it gets for now.
Sebastian Foltz / Post Gazette
Russell Wilson warms up with his team before OTAs.
Steelers Quarterback Russell Wilson Needs To Bring Pittsburgh A Playoff Win
The Steelers are in a playoff win drought and Wilson is trying to prove that he's still capable of being a starting NFL quarterback. Wilson has playoff experience and said minicamp had a playoff feel. He should have no excuses if he can't get it done. Despite Wilson saying he's felt the fountain of youth, he's turning 36 years old next season and he's at the tail end of his successful career. Wilson says he wants to win a couple more rings, and Pittsburgh really hopes he can, but he needs to worry more about proving he still has something in the tank.
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 first round pick Troy Fautanu (left) gets introduced by Team Owner Art Rooney II (right) during a press conference.
Wilson finished the 2023 regular season in Denver with 26 passing touchdowns to only 8 interceptions before being benched for the rest of the year by Head Coach Sean Payton. Although the Broncos didn't finish the season exactly where they had imagined entering the campaign, Wilson is sure to experience more success in the Steel City if he's able to replicate those numbers. With a superior defense, running game, and a new offensive game plan, Wilson is poised to have a career-defining year.
Do you think the Steelers will break out of their playoff win drought this upcoming season? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
