The Pittsburgh Steelers are a Super Bowl favorite, but could this be the last stand for a team consistently in the mix? There are warning signs.
Since 1972, few teams have enjoyed more success than the Steelers. Pittsburgh has won six Super Bowls, unmatched by any other franchise. It has drafted Hall of Famers in spades, suffered through only seven losing seasons and been to the AFC Championship Game on 16 occasions. For a reference point, the Cleveland Browns have endured seven losing seasons this decade alone.
Dating back to 1969, the Steelers have employed only three head coaches. All have won at least one championship. The ownership could not be more steady, despite the recent passing of Dan Rooney, son of Art, who originally founded the team in 1933.
Suffice it to say, Pittsburgh has been the NFL’s model franchise over the past 50 years.
Going into 2017, the Steelers have ample expectations. They reached the AFC title game in January, only to be blown out by the New England Patriots. For all the world, Pittsburgh is one of four legitimate contenders in the AFC, alongside the Patriots, Chiefs and Raiders. Because of their offense combined with a playmaking defense, most would peg the Steelers as the most-likely challenger to dethrone Tom Brady and Co.
With an offensive collection of Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell and a criminally underrated line, the Steelers have an endless supply of reasons to believe. However, there are warning signs that suggest Pittsburgh is more now-or-never than a long-term proposition.
Most importantly, how long will Roethlisberger play? Big Ben is 35 years old but has three years remaining on his deal worth $64.6 million. Only twice since 2008 has Roethlisberger played all 16 games in a season, but he’s never missed more than four contests in a single campaign. The future Hall of Famer flirted with the notion of retiring this offseason, but is back for his 14th year.
It’s hard picturing Roethlisberger walking away from a Super Bowl contender that owes him a fortune. That said, injuries and Father Time has a persuasive quality about them.
Pittsburgh also has some real decisions coming up. The Steelers are likely going to move on from Mike Mitchell after this year. James Harrison, 39, is signed for two years, but has a year-by-year contract in reality. Ladarius Green was limited to six games in 2016 due to concussions. If Green continues to be injured, the Steelers could move on.
Then there is Bell, who is playing on a $12.12 million franchise tag. Bell, 25, is the best back in the game. Last year, Bell rushed for 1,268 yards on 4.9 yards per carry while totaling 75 catches for 616 yards, despite playing in only 12 games. Should Bell have a huge campaign this autumn, he will become the highest-paid running back in NFL history, but will it be in Pittsburgh?
Bell has been suspended multiple times in the past, including the start of 2016. He also has a lengthy injury history, highlighted by torn knee ligaments in 2015 that held him to six games. In his four-year career, Bell has missed 17 games for various reasons.
Will the Steelers, who have an extensive history of not overpaying, shell out major money on a position known for its quick falloffs, on a player known for both highlights and headlines? It remains to be seen.
There is also the uncertain future of receiver Martavis Bryant, who was reinstated by the league in April after a year-long suspension for violating the substance abuse policy. Bryant, 25, is a free agent following this season. Despite only 1,314 yards in his first two seasons, he’s correctly seen as one of the game’s top deep threats, much in the way his predecessor, Mike Wallace, has been for almost a decade.
The Steelers are an elite team heading into the upcoming season. The sky is the limit. Beyond that, there are clouds on the horizon. Whether they are foreboding remains uncertain, but their existence is undeniable.
Power rankings
Worst 10 quarterback situations
1. San Francisco 49ers
2. New York Jets
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
4. Minnesota Vikings
5. Arizona Cardinals
6. Chicago Bears
7. Los Angeles Rams
8. Denver Broncos
9. Buffalo Bills
10. Houston Texans
Quotable
"“Marrone’s not taking any BS, and I think that’s the way it should be,” Jackson said. “He’s handling this with an iron fist, and guys are conforming, enjoying the time and understanding that we need to win some games.”"
– Jaguars DL Malik Jackson, who likes the approach of new head coach Doug Marrone
Jackson signed a $90 million deal last year to jump from Denver to Jacksonville, only to watch a team with large expectations fall flat. After the firing of Gus Bradley, Marrone was promoted from the ranks of assistant, and apparently is setting the tone early. The Jaguars, who have not reached the playoffs this decade, need a new approach. Let’s see if this one has more than a little spring hype behind it.
Random stat
The Chiefs have not seen a quarterback they drafted win a game for them since 1987. The man who last did so was Todd Blackledge, who Kansas City took seventh-overall in the famed 1983 NFL Draft. In doing so, the Chiefs passed on Dan Marino, who the Miami Dolphins scooped up 20 picks later.
Marino went on to win 147 games for Miami. Blackledge won 13 games for Kansas City.
Info learned this week
1. Giants excited about Ereck Flowers
This might seem an odd tidbit to lead with, but it can’t be understated. The Giants are a bonafide contender in the NFC, featuring an elite defense and two-time champion at quarterback. The Achilles heel in 2016 was a porous offensive line, and a lack of maturity from Odell Beckham Jr.
While the latter likely remains an issue, the former may be seeing help on the horizon. Offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan is bullish on Ereck Flowers, a 2014 first-round pick who has been an abject bust to this point. If the Miami product can finally step up and hold down Eli Manning’s blind side, it could spell the difference between wild card and NFC East champ.
The Eastern Division will be tough this year, with the Giants and Eagles both improved. The Cowboys remain the top dog, but substantial losses to the secondary could spell trouble.
2. Pacman Jones continues to be powder keg
The Bengals have long been willing to overlook personal flaws for on-field gain. Of course, that strategy has also backfired more often than not, considering their last postseason win came during the Bush Sr. administration. On Wednesday, we saw cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones go ballistic on social media, teeing off on a youngster following a minor car accident.
Jones, 33, has a laundry list of legal problems, dating back a decade. With Darqueze Dennard and Dre Kirkpatrick in tow, Cincinnati should cut ties immediately, saving it $12.3 million over the next two seasons. Unfortunately, history tells us the Bengals will double down and retain Jones, leaving him as an example for other troubled players such as Vontaze Burfict and Joe Mixon.
3. 49ers deny shopping NaVorro Bowman
Last week, a report from Michael Lombardi of The RInger surfaced, stating the 49ers were hoping to deal NoVorro Bowman. The organization quickly fired off a response, saying Bowman is a key part of their plans both now and into the future. While Bowman is a phenomenal talent when healthy, San Francisco would be wise to make Lombardi’s report a reality.
Bowman, who has endured two serious injuries since 2013, will turn 29 years old this month. After missing all of 2014 while rehabbing multiple torn knee ligaments, he starred in 2015 as a first-team All-Pro only to tear his Achilles four games into last season.
The point? San Francisco is a bad team that won’t be a Super Bowl contender in Bowman’s prime. If a team is willing to part with a second-round choice and perhaps a conditional pick, general manager John Lynch should jump at the chance. A few teams that would be interested include the Titans, Chargers, Raiders and Redskins. All four are playoff contenders who have cap space and need immediate help on the interior of their defenses.
4. Josh Gordon denied reinstatement by NFL
The sad saga of Josh Gordon continues. After leading the league in receiving yards with 1,646 in 2013, it appeared Gordon was going to be a household name. Instead, the Cleveland Browns star has been a tragedy in real time, littered with suspensions and failed drug tests.
On Thursday, Gordon was denied reinstatement by the NFL. He can apply once more in September, but odds are growing longer that the 26-year-old gets back onto the field any time soon, if ever. If he eventually finds his way into the league’s good graces, he would be property of the Browns, although they may look to move on.
5. Tom Brady lands on Madden cover
Every year, EA Sports unveils a new cover boy for its Madden series and people go wild, screaming about the Madden Curse. This year, it will be Patriots superstar Tom Brady having to avoid the landmines, as he earned the honor for the first time in his Hall of Fame career.
At 40 years old, maybe the curse is the only thing that can stop the five-time Super Bowl champion. Brady seems better than ever, which he has long said is a result of work and unique training. With New England loaded to the hilt again, let’s see if Madden, or Brady, wins out.
History lesson
The Seattle Seahawks played in the AFC from 1976-01, and won just three postseason games. In the 15 seasons since, the Seahawks have 13 playoff wins, including a Super Bowl victory.
Incredibly, that ranks 10th among NFC teams. The Lions have seven playoff wins dating back to their birth in 1934. The Cardinals also have seven, despite being an original NFL franchise in 1920. The Panthers have nine, while the Falcons (9), Saints (7) and Buccaneers (6) all lag behind, despite much longer stays within the conference.
Parting shot
The Colin Kaepernick situation continues to rage. The 29-year-old quarterback remains unsigned, but according to advisor Harry Edwards, there is interest across the league. Edwards stated that three teams have reached out to Kaepernick, but nothing has become substantial.
There is no reason to go into why Kaepernick is still a free agent. The arguments range from poor film and lengthy injury history to political stances and disinterest in football. Regardless of each franchise’s reasoning, the fact remains that nobody is interested enough to take the plunge.
While there would be some PR blowback — fair or otherwise — there are clearly rosters that would be upgraded with his presence. The Texans would be one of those teams, and perhaps the most high-profile considering their contention plans. Kaepernick would also be a terrific backup in places like Indianapolis, Dallas, Baltimore, Green Bay, Detroit, Atlanta and Tampa Bay, just to name a few.
The guess here? Kaepernick will land a job this summer. Still, it is taking far too long.