The Pittsburgh Steelers came into the 2024 season as a bit of a mystery. No one could really tell what the offense would like with the holes at wide receiver and new quarterback situation featuring Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Many assumed that the Steelers would have a down year, but the exact opposite has happened. The Steelers seem like they could be a strong contender in the AFC, and they are in a great position to finish the year atop the AFC North.
Getty Images
Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher ahead of a game.
Many people in the NFL media have spoken out about how the Steelers should be considered Super Bowl contenders, including former Head Coach Bill Cowher. Cowher was the head coach in Pittsburgh for 15 seasons, and he brought Pittsburgh to two Super Bowls with a victory in Super Bowl XL. It is safe to say the former coach knows a thing or two about having a successful team in Pittsburgh, and Cowher recently appeared on KDKA and gave his thoughts on the 2024 team.
"They still have to play the Eagles, they still have to play the Chiefs. Those will be great litmus tests for them to see where they are." Cowher said. "I think they go as far as they need to go. I don't see a weakness. Think they can stay healthy, I don't see that they can't match up on any given Sunday against anybody in the AFC or even anybody in the NFC to be quite frank with you."
The former coach doesn't see much of a weakness in the current Steelers. Going into the season, most fans would have said that the offense would be a clear weakness for the team, but the group is currently top 10 in scoring on the 2024 season. The offense looks the best it has in years with Wilson at quarterback, and it is the reason the Steelers should be able to compete with any team in the NFL.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson runs against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 of the 2024 regular season.
Wilson has been playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the league since taking over the starting role earlier in the year. The new-look offense for the Steelers paired with the stifling defense makes them a dangerous team. Pittsburgh has two big games against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs later in the 2024 season, and those games will be able to give fans a good idea of what to expect from Pittsburgh once the postseason comes around.
The Steelers have already beaten five teams that are expected to make it to the postseason in the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders. The Steelers are currently undefeated against teams with a winning record, but with the Chiefs and Eagles each making it to the Super Bowl in 2022 those two contests are the biggest games on the schedule for the Steelers.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin and Russell Wilson on the sideline during a game against the New York Jets in 2024.
Steelers' Russell Wilson Is The Biggest Deciding Factor In How Far Pittsburgh Can Go In 2024
The Steelers may not have a clear weakness, but the team's success relies on the play of Wilson. Wilson has been good for the most part, but he has had some games where he shows his age. During the Steelers' Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Wilson was often stagnant in the pocket which allowed the Browns defense to get to the quarterback and ultimately win the game.
The veteran has gotten more comfortable within the offense as the weeks continue to go by, and if he is able to be successful then the Steelers have a chance to go far. They should be able to compete with the Chiefs and the other top teams in the AFC. The Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, but that unfortunate streak should be able to come to an end in 2024.
What do you think of Cowher's comments? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
