By now, you've seen that the Steelers signed Minkah Fitzpatrick to a four-year contract extension, at over $18 million per year. If not, you've likely been living under a rock, but now you know. To no surprise, Fitzpatrick was humbled and honored by the contract extension and the money given to him.
That's great and all, but Fitzpatrick is now focused on regaining the Pittsburgh way of winning Super Bowls. Not only have they not won a SB since 2009, they haven't even won a playoff game since the 2016-17 season. That drought is unfamiliar territory for a franchise like the black and gold, and the leaders of this year's team are dead-set on breaking out of that slump. Fitzpatrick addressed just that in his Thursday press conference via the Steelers YouTube page.
Last year was not to our standard at all. I know myself, TJ [Watt], Cam [Heyward], all of us were not happy or pleased at all with the way the season ended, especially in the playoff game. It was an embarrassment honestly. It was not our typical selves. That's what motivates us.
After the Steelers took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter, it was all downhill after that. The Chiefs proceeded to score 35 unanswered points, all five touchdowns coming from the arm of QB Patrick Mahomes. It was a continuation of a theme that persisted throughout the regular season in Pittsburgh: an inept offense and an underperforming defense.
Chiefs running back, Jerick McKinnon gets loose against Steelers DB Akhello Witherspoon. Credit: Chiefs Digest
The organization made some reinforcements throughout the offseason, so that causes some room for optimism heading into 2022. Getting back to the playoffs won't exactly be easy, particularly in the always difficult AFC North which features the now-healthy Ravens. It's clear the leaders of the defense are doing everything in their power to turn things around. Will that translate to results? We shall see.
Can the Steelers break the 6-year slump?
When do you guys think the Steelers will break their playoff slump? Will it happen this year? What are the keys to making the playoffs and winning a game this upcoming season? As always, let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, SteelerNation!
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