Steelers Fans Finally Have A True Reason To Be Optimistic About The Future

The Pittsburgh Steelers ended their 2024 season in brutal fashion, collapsing with five straight losses. That included dropping their final four regular-season games before suffering a humiliating, one-and-done playoff exit at the hands of their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. It was a devastating way to close out the year, especially after sitting at 10-3 with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.

Fans and analysts have rightfully been dramatic about how the season ended, as the collapse was nothing short of shocking. However, Steelers fans looking for optimism might find some by reflecting on the 2023 season. While the 2024 finish was painful, it doesn’t necessarily mean the team is far from returning to the Super Bowl conversation.

The 2023 NFL season saw several teams struggle down the stretch, either falling short of expectations or collapsing entirely. The Los Angeles Chargers finished with a disappointing 5-12 record, leading to major changes in their coaching staff. The Washington Commanders fared even worse, finishing at 4-13 and securing a top draft pick in hopes of rebuilding. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings posted a 7-10 record, failing to recapture their 2022 success, while the Denver Broncos narrowly missed the playoffs with an 8-9 finish in Sean Payton’s first year as head coach.

Perhaps the most shocking late-season collapse came from the Philadelphia Eagles. After starting the year strong, they lost five of their final six games, stumbling into the postseason with no momentum. Their struggles continued in the playoffs, where they were blown out in the Wild Card round, raising serious concerns about their future. What once seemed like a Super Bowl-caliber team fell apart when it mattered most, leaving fans and analysts questioning whether their issues were fixable heading into 2024.

All of those teams had remarkable turnarounds by the 2025 season, each for different reasons. The Commanders made a shocking run to the NFC Championship Game before falling to the Eagles. The Chargers and Broncos both secured playoff berths, while the Vikings had an impressive regular season despite a disappointing postseason exit. However, the team truly worth focusing on is the Eagles.

Steelers Have A Lot In Common With The Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles

Many Eagles fans and media members labeled their 2023 season a historic collapse. Yet, just one year later, they completely turned things around. A lot went into that transformation, including major moves like signing star running back Saquon Barkley, but it proves a crucial point—teams can rebound quickly with the right offseason decisions and an aggressive general manager willing to make bold moves.

The Eagles and Steelers have both been in the spotlight recently, and their philosophies and roster construction share significant similarities, largely due to the influence of assistant general manager Andy Weidl. Weidl, who played a key role in building the Eagles' successful roster a few seasons ago, is now helping guide the Steelers.

The Steelers experienced a historical collapse in 2024, much like the Eagles did in their own rough stretch. While this doesn't mean Pittsburgh is poised to win the Super Bowl the way the Eagles did the following season, it does offer hope to Steelers fans. The way the 2024 season ended doesn't necessarily indicate the team is as far away from success as many might believe. With the right moves and adjustments, a quick turnaround is still very much within reach.

While the Steelers still have a long way to go to match the talent of the Eagles' 2024 roster, the Eagles' incredible turnaround—from a historic collapse to Super Bowl champions in just one season—should serve as encouragement for Steelers fans. It shows that with the right moves in the offseason, a team can quickly shift from disappointment to greatness. While Pittsburgh doesn’t have Howie Roseman, they do have Khan, who is known for his aggressive approach and eagerness to improve the roster. Steelers fans are excited to see how the rest of the offseason unfolds and what moves the team will make to build for a successful 2025 season.

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