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Is the Steelers Super Bowl window open or closed?

By Eric Hassel

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on from the sideline against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on from the sideline against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Quarterbacks Devlin Hodges #6 and Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walk out onto the field before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Quarterbacks Devlin Hodges #6 and Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walk out onto the field before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Steelers were given a dose of reality with the back-up quarterbacks in 2019

Once ‘Big Ben’ went down, the offense was turned over to Mason Rudolph, our third-round pick in 2018.  To say that Rudolph had a less than spectacular 2019 campaign would be an understatement.  Rudolph started eight games but split time with Devlin Hodges, an undrafted rookie free-agent from Samford.

Neither QB, in my opinion, did anything to make fans forget that ‘Big Ben’ wasn’t playing, but his injury exposed the Steeler’s lack of depth at the most critical position in the NFL.  It’s not as if the Steelers have not drafted QBs since ‘Big Ben’ has been the starter, but the lack of preparedness for the possibility that our franchise QB could get injured and would be unable to play is alarming.

It’s akin to thinking that nothing bad can happen.  Anything can happen; anything is possible. Since anything is possible, it is entirely possible that the Steelers offense will take too long to gel during the 2020 season and it is entirely possible that the Steelers defense will not be able to repeat or improve upon the performance of the 2019 season.

It is also entirely possible that ‘Big Ben’ will just not play as well as he needs to play, thus facilitating a change at the QB position.  Do we turn to Rudolph again?  What if he does not play well?  Do we then turn to Hodges?  What if he does not play well?

If ‘Big Ben’ does not play well, the Super Bowl window is, for all intents and purposes, closed.  If the defense does not play well, the Super Bowl window is, for all intents and purposes, closed. If neither the offense nor the defense plays well, the Super Bowl window is most definitely closed.

The status of the Steelers Super Bowl window is in flux

So is the Steelers Super Bowl window open or closed?  Only you can answer that question.  My answer is this:  I truly hope that it isn’t closed, but I think it will take ‘Big Ben’ and the offense some time to get into a groove.  I also think it will be tough for the defense to replicate the stellar performance of 2019.

Next. Could Steelers get two third-round compensatory picks in 2021?. dark

For the above-mentioned reasons, I believe the Steelers Super Bowl window is still ajar, but closing as we speak.  I hope I am proven wrong as I really don’t want to have to wait any longer for the Steelers to hoist another Lombardi trophy.

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