There have been many questions about the Pittsburgh Steelers and what they can do in a highly competitive AFC North, especially with a quarterback that doesn't get much hype outside of Steeler Nation. Good Morning Football talked about this on their live show. Despite the insane talent level from the division, the Steelers could potentially emerge as a dark-horse pick. Their chances of doing something are far from zero.
USA Today
Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt celebrate a turnover against the Baltimore Ravens.
The show had nothing but positive things to say on the Steelers and their chances of making their mark on the division. Even though the Steelers still have things to work on, they are still getting plenty of praise from the show.
"I think they can [get to the top], and I think we've seen a lot of those progressions this offseason. Kenny Pickett, he seems to have made another jump, and the way he was able to win games last year in the fourth quarter," said Jason McCourty.
Everyone knows that the Steelers will live and die by Kenny Pickett. If he can't make the jump that is rumored he's made, the Steelers will not be able to reach their ceiling. From the looks of camp and preseason so far, it looks like he might have made that leap. Of course, there's more to the team than Pickett. There's the defense that harkens back to the late 2000s/early 2010s.
"What comes to mind is Dick LeBeau and great defenses. Troy Polamalu, those guys, James Harrison. Setting the tempo, running around, and being physical... the Steelers have stars of themselves. You have TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick. These guys go out there and they ball, and they play well.
(Steelers.com)
Steelers' Troy Polamalu makes a finger-tip interception against the Chargers in 2008.
The Steelers defense will keep the team in the game nearly every week. There's nothing to be said about the stars of this team that hasn't already been said. Of course, a lot of the defense does come down to if TJ Watt can stay healthy, but if he can, this defense could be the top defense in the league. Bringing in reinforcements all over the place should help take some of the load off of him as well.
One of the other hosts also has a unique strategy: trust the Steelers. The Steelers history also needs no introduction. There's always of talk of how it's been 20 years since the Steelers finished under .500 for a season. That is exactly why the Steelers will be in the playoffs, according to Kyle Brandt.
"They've made the playoffs 7 of the last 10 years, they haven't had a losing record in 20 years, you pick the Pittsburgh Steelers to get in the playoffs."
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports
Steelers former Vice President of Football Operations and current general manager, Omar Khan smiles while on the field in Pittsburgh, PA.
When in doubt, gamble on the tradition of greatness. That is what the show is saying. They even make a point, saying that the Steelers' logo means more than the talent of other teams and how one would analyze them. The Steelers are a different breed, and you just have to trust them. All you have to do is look at the logo and put full faith that the team wearing those three "starbursts" will find a way to get the job done.
Of course, there will be plenty of doubt on the Steelers until they can prove everything to be true. Once Pickett has a great regular season game, the world will be on notice. While the offense has been very anemic for the past few years, 2023 will be the year that significant progress should be made and the Steelers become a true force in the AFC North.
What do you think about what Good Morning Football had to say about the Steelers' chances of competing in the AFC North in 2023? Let us know in the comments below.
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