Dan Marino Highlights Steelers Massive Mistake: "Would Have Won A Couple Super Bowls"

Everyone knows the Pittsburgh Steelers passed up on hometown star quarterback Dan Marino in the 1983 NFL Draft. Marino was not only an Oakland native; he attended Central Catholic High School and the University of Pittsburgh. As a Steelers fan, he idolized Terry Bradshaw and dreamt of playing in black and gold. After the Steelers missed out, the Miami Dolphins snatched him.

Marino admits that initially, he felt hurt and even toyed with calling the Steelers and giving them a piece of his mind. Ultimately, he feels it was for the best. The move to Miami allowed him to grow and experience something new without all his childhood buddies hanging around. 

Marino recently spoke with another Western Pennsylvania native, Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, on his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, Cameron's father, played for Pitt before the NFL. Heyward asked Marino what he thinks would have changed if he had played in Pittsburgh. 

"Looking back at their teams, I probably would have won a couple of Super Bowls," said Marino. "I really do, because of the defense they had."

Marino never won a Super Bowl. His one shot came in 1984 when the Dolphins beat the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. He shared about playing against Jack Lambert and Donnie Shell and other players he'd cheered for his whole life, like Mike Webster and John Stallworth.  

He told Heyward he might not have gotten to play with his childhood heroes, but playing against them was the next best thing. He got to have one of the best games of his career against them.

"We beat them to go to the Super Bowl in the AFC Championship Game," recalled Marino. "Mark Malone was on that team, and I got to play against Jack Lambert, which, when I'm growing up, that's a big deal. I see Jack Lambert playing and Donnie Shell and so that was huge for me."

The Steelers lost that game, 45-28, ending their hopes of returning to another Super Bowl. While the Steelers' offense put up 455 total yards, Malone threw three interceptions. On the other hand, Marino set an AFC Championship record, throwing for 421 yards with four touchdowns and only one interception. Marino and the Dolphins advanced to his sole Super Bowl appearance, losing to the San Francisco 49ers.

Heyward noted Marino's remarkable stats were during an era where running the ball was king. In six of his 17 seasons, he threw for 4,000+ yards. Marino was a nine-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. He is also one of the most decorated quarterbacks in history, including league MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, and Walter Payton Man of the Year. He was the league's passing yards leader five times, the passing touchdowns leader three times, and still holds the record for the lowest sack percentage for a season with 1%.

Steelers Nowhere Close To Another Super Bowl

The Steelers weren't far off their last Super Bowl victory when the Dolphins drafted Marino. They had won two back-to-back sets in 1975 and 1976 and 1979 and 1980. Marino hoped he could jump on that moving train and help guide the Steelers back to a win. 

Unfortunately, they wouldn't return to compete for a Lombardi Trophy until 1996, when they would lose to the Dallas Cowboys. Then, it was another decade before they beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL. Since then, they have won one and lost one, and fans have spent years believing another one was right around the corner. 

The reality has shifted to one in which the Steelers don't even win playoff games. Few believe they are any closer at the start of the 2025 offseason. They have significant questions to answer at several positions, including quarterback.  

What did you think the Steelers could have done with Marino as quarterback? Comment below.

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