Features and Long Form
Pittsburgh Steelers Fact or Fiction: Win now, or preserve the future?
BTSC takes five bold statements surrounding the current state of the team and labels them as Fact or Fiction.
By Bryan Anthony Davis@btscbad Mar 4, 2020, 11:59am EST
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Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
It sucked not being able to watch the Steelers in the Super Bowl again this season. Oh yeah, that's a definite fact. However, the Steelers brass is working right now to try and get back to the big one so Steeler Nation could spend their hard-earned wages on Super Bowl memorabilia once again. A lot would have to happen though. BTSC takes some bold statements on this and more and labels them as fact or fiction. Are they on point? Only time will tell.
The Steelers shouldn't mortgage the future in order to win No. 7 with No. 7.
Let me preface this with, I don't think it's mortgaging the future… I think it's taking advantage of a closing window to win now and rolling the dice. The Steelers do need to think about adding to their offensive line and should worry about an eventual replacement for Bud Dupree. That is true. But a playmaker on offense now, combined with their stellar defense, could be the piece of the puzzle that puts Pittsburgh over the top.
The Steelers won't bring in a veteran backup for the quarterback position.
They really should, but they won't. Both Art Rooney II and GM Kevin Colbert have mentioned in interviews that they are fine with Mason Rudolph backing up Ben Roethlisberger in 2020. However, fans can't forget the disaster that was last season with Duck Hodges closing out the season with a three-game skid that ruined their once-bright playoff chances. A veteran arm like Matt Moore or Chase Daniel could have got the Steelers into postseason play. Guys like that are available. It's worth a consideration.
B.J. Finney is set to make big money this offseason and it needs to be in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers are getting long in the tooth on the offensive line and the versatile Finney could be the free agent of their own that the Steelers choose to keep, even over Javon Hargrave and Bud Dupree. Veteran Ramon Foster is likely not in the plans and the Steelers need stability in his Left Guard spot. No. 67 has shown enough in his tenure that he could ably fill the vacancy.
A Running Back by Committee could work for the Steelers in 2020.
The concept worked well for teams like the San Francisco 49ers, the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills, to name just a few. Even if James Conner has a healthy season, players like second-year Benny Snell Jr., speedy Kerrith Whyte and the versatile Jaylen Samuels could help spell No. 30 and definite move chains.
The Pirates will win a World Series title before the Steelers lift the Lombardi again.
Just like I doubt that Bubby Brister will be enshrined in Canton, I have no confidence in the Nutting Family to make winning a real priority for the Pirates. The window is closing on the Steelers, but with a "Comeback Player of the Year" season from Ben Roethlisberger and a young, heroic defense...it could still happen in the next two seasons. Should the window close, it should be temporary. I have complete faith in management to build a Steeler champion again. Sooner, rather than later.
Are these statements valid? We will soon see. What matters most is your opinions on the matter. Please state them in the comments below.