Home

NFL

Finishing Over .500 a ‘Big Deal’ for Mike Tomlin as Steelers Fans & Russell Wilson Given Brutal Reality Check

Published 04/20/2024, 10:54 PM EDT

Follow Us

USA Today via Reuters

The Pittsburgh Steelers secured their 17 straight non-losing season after reaching the 2023 playoffs. Part of it has to do with the Steelers’ Culture, and part of it has to do with Mike Tomlin and his mentality to preserve that culture. Throughout the last season, people had their doubts about Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph.

Unfortunately, the trio hadn’t been impactful in the NFL and has been relying on their defense for quite some time. However, with Russell Wilson entering the picture, things might be a little different for the determined side this time around. As mentioned, since the last 17 seasons, the team has maintained a record at or above .500 and sources say that Tomlin intends to keep it up to finally reach that final goal of the Super Bowl.

Charles Davis backs up Mike Tomlin and the Steelers!

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The analyst Davis mentioned how the Steelers didn’t have a “business” being in the playoffs this year. He probably pointed out the quarterback situation which was exacerbated progressively in the season. Davis previously talked about how places like Washington have constantly hit the “reset button” over the years (replacing owners and management) and how this situation of resetting things didn’t get the Commanders too far.

He then pointed out to the Steelers, who have been “patient” throughout the years and maintained a consistent winning record. “I love how the Pittsburgh people are all upset with Mike Tomlin,” said Davis before shunning the Steelers fans for not appreciating Tomlin for having winning seasons consistently.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NFL stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

He then added, “’ I’m tired of us just be, every year Mike Tomlin finishes over 500’: like that’s a big deal. That team last year had no business winning 10 games, and they did okay.”

USA Today via Reuters

“Do you think Mike Tomlin is happy just being 500 every year? Do you really think that’s what fuels him at night? No, they’re trying to find a way to get better and get there too,” added Davis. However, the Steelers’ success relies on Russell Wilson this year and Steel City fans might have high expectations from the QB, giving him a reality check of his situation.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Expectations from Russell Wilson are all-time high!

None of the Steelers’ QBs impressed the NFL world last season, despite their team doing fairly well. Kenny Pickett played 12 games and had 2,070 yards and 6 touchdowns to show for 2023. That’s worse than his 2022 season. Wilson is better in this case because he comes with a cheap price tag, has Super Bowl experience, and never had a sub-3,000-yard season.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

USA Today via Reuters

Also, the ex-Broncos QB is on a one-year deal with the Steelers, so the team can trade him if they don’t like what they see in the star without much damage to their purse. Alongside the new QB, the Steel City team hired receivers, running backs, safeties, and other defensive players to reinforce the roster. Hopefully, that’s enough to protect Russell Wilson, who sometimes tends to hold on to the ball and extend plays. Now, the question remains, will Russell Wilson help the Steelers to finish over .500 this year? Eyes await the new season for the answer to this question.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Abhinav Prakash

1,028Articles

One take at a time

Abhinav Prakash is an NFL Writer at EssentiallySports. He covers several aspects of the game, more specifically core sports events. Abhinav has also covered Taylor Swift in great detail, apart from these stalwarts.
Show More>

Edited by:

Aazima Basharat