The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most successful franchises in the history of the NFL, and a lot of that is due to the organization's dynasty back in the 1970s. The franchise won four of its Super Bowls during that time, never losing in the big game once. The teams were full of players that were eventually inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw's achievements as a player are often downplayed due to the era that he played in, as well as the players he suited up alongside. He should be respected as one of the best to ever play the quarterback position.
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Steelers' Terry Bradshaw drops back to pass during Super Bowl IX.
Bradshaw also probably has not helped himself when it comes to helping average NFL fans remember just how accomplished of a player he is. He has been very outspoken in recent years, and he is constantly speaking somewhere. This has led to him making a ton of headlines, and that is not always a good thing, and it has pushed his achievements down the list of things he is remembered by. It is often debated whether or not Bradshaw or Ben Roethlisberger is the best quarterback in the history of the franchise. Recently, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms was debating where Bradshaw would fall on the all-time list during an episode of his podcast, Unbuttoned.
"Terry Bradshaw is interesting," Simms said. "D*mn, I mean, four Super Bowls, two MVPs. But it's the Steel Curtain defense. Early in the career, they ran the ball, played very balanced, and weren't really relying on him. And so that's where I struggle with that a little bit, I really do. Sitting here right now, I would go, it's not top-10. So I guess I'm going to cancel out Terry Bradshaw."
Simms used the philosophy that Bradshaw had too much help around him, which is certainly a decent argument. He had one of the best defenses in the history of the NFL on his side, a Hall of Fame center, two Hall of Fame wide receivers, a Hall of Fame fullback, and Rocky Bleier. The team was loaded, but Bradshaw was still a leader that had to touch the ball on every play. He steered the ship.
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Steelers former quarterback Terry Bradshaw hands the ball off to Franco Harris during Super Bowl IX.
The team was loaded in the 1970s, and less was expected of the quarterback during this era. Those are two valid reasons to potentially question Bradshaw's resume, but at the end of the day, he won four Super Bowls as a starting quarterback. There is only one quarterback in the history of the NFL that has one more than that, and that is Tom Brady.
Brady leads the way in that category, and Bradshaw is right behind him in a tie with Joe Montana. It is also worth noting that Bradshaw won an NFL MVP, was voted to three Pro Bowls, and was a First Team All-Pro in 1978. He also played a big role in winning those Super Bowls as he won two Super Bowl MVPs. He had a legendary career, and it is a bit disrespectful to just push him to the side based on the era in which he played and who else was on his team.
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Steelers' former quarterback Terry Bradshaw speaks with Chuck Noll during the 1976 season.
Steelers' Terry Bradshaw's Criticisms Remain True For All Successful Quarterbacks
Bradshaw had a great defense and some awesome talent surrounding him, but that can be said about all quarterbacks that have found a way to win multiple Super Bowls. Patrick Mahomes had Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill along with a top defense. Brady had some great defenses playing alongside him, and the same is true of Montana and Troy Aikman. If rosters and defenses are going to be used to punish quarterbacks, it needs to apply to all parties involved. Even Aaron Rodgers was only able to win a Super Bowl the one year he had a top five defense.
What do you think about Simms' comments? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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