The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a much better start than many expected. After beating the New York Jets during Week 7, they are now 5-2 and sit atop the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens. When the season began with Justin Fields playing for Russell Wilson, many fans felt that all hope was lost for the team to win a playoff game to end this long drought.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Justin Fields looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.
However, many believe the Steelers cannot win a playoff game without trading for a strong wide receiver. They went into the 2024 season with primarily just George Pickens and then several depth pieces. While both quarterbacks have gotten tight end Pat Freiermuth involved, along with Calvin Austin III, the passing game looked much better with Wilson than it did with Fields.
This is only a one-game sample size, so it is impossible to say with any certainty that the team will continue to play as well as they did against the Jets. Former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden said he doesn't think not having a solid number two receiver precludes them from winning in the playoffs or even making a Super Bowl.
He recently joined Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller on The PM Team w/Poni and Mueller on 93.7 The Fan. Fillipponi asked the former two-time Super Bowl winner if he believed the Steelers had a shot at the postseason since they haven't traded for a receiver.
"One thing we know about playoff football is when you get in the tournament, anything can happen," said McFadden. "You just need a ball to bounce your way once or twice. Heck, look what we did in '05, look at that Super Bowl run. No one thought we had a legit shot. Everyone thought the Pittsburgh Steelers, who barely got into the playoffs, they were gonna have a short life in the playoffs. Week by week, every game is important. But we are looking forward. If we can get into the playoffs, regardless of who we added or who we did not add, we have a legit chance."
McFadden was part of the 2005 Steelers team that won Super Bowl XL. Under the guidance of Head Coach Bill Cowher and their second-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers got off to a 7-5 start. Most people believed they were out, but players never gave up hope and frequently shared how they knew it was their year. They won their final four games to secure a Wild Card spot and became the first team ever to beat all three top-seeded teams on the road to make it to Detroit.
The Steelers are far from the only team to do this. McFadden also mentioned the Cincinnati Bengals, who went 10-7 and made the Super Bowl at the end of the 2021 season. They lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, but no one expected them to make it to the championship. They had finished at the bottom of the AFC North for a few years and hadn't made the playoffs since 2015.
David J. Phillip / Associated Press
Steelers' Hines Ward celebrates his famous touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks thrown by Antwaan Randle El in Super Bowl XL in Detroit, MI.
Pittsburgh faces the New York Giants on Monday Night Football during Week 8. Then they have their bye week before playing the Washington Commanders. The trade deadline is rapidly approaching. However, the number of possible solid receiver candidates is dwindling.
Steelers' Cameron Heyward Encourages Fans To Relax
McFadden isn't the only Steeler encouraging fans to take a deep breath. Cameron Heyward also suggested on his podcast that the fans need to take a deep breath and trust the team, and the process.
Matt Freed / ap photo
Steelers' Russell Wilson hugs Davante Adams after the win over the Jets.
Heyward said that fans, like the ones who booed Wilson after only a handful of plays, are too impatient. While the fans might not know what is happening, Heyward said they aren't supposed to. They have to believe that Tomlin and the team have their best interests at heart. Everyone is trying to win a Super Bowl.
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