3 reasons why any serious doubt of the 2020 Steelers was unmerited
The Pittsburgh Steelers are undefeated after the first half of the 2020 season, a slightly foreseen result.
How much of a stretch was it to predict that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be 7-0 to open the 2020 season? Almost tied with the number of victories they obtained in 2019, the lows they created as a team a year ago developed a disregard.
It seemed there was no explosion left on the team offensively; Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is pushing late-age in football years & coming off a season-ending injury on his throwing arm. Having success in 2020 seemed unlikely. Steelers achieving the kind of season that we have seen so far was one of those “if everything goes right” dreams.
Perhaps, to say no doubt is inconsiderate is considering the many facets of football and what can happen on any given Sunday. Or maybe, the answers to these questions were as clear as day, and the hesitancy to call the Steelers a super bowl contender entering 2020 never made much sense at all.
The structure of the Steelers organization
After the NFL announced, they will continue the season fairly normally amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, the void of a real offseason made for a creative challenge on how teams would collectively interact. The lack of a preseason affected just every other organization, the Steelers structure had them prepared for the unprecedented moment.
A continuity driven by discipline from the front office to the coaches & players forces its way into everything they do. Whether looking at it from this being Mike Tomlin’s 14th season as the head coach or returning all but five starters from the beginning of 2019, the consistency already had them a step ahead of most teams.
Taking losses or needing significant help in a select few areas, the signings and trades they have done since then consist of S Minkah Fitzpatrick, TE Eric Ebron, FB Derek Watt, & LG Steven Wisniewski. However, the more prominent reflection comes from the players that have replaced these holes from within the organization.
A recent example is the immediate impact of LB Robert Spillane or the round of applause needed for OL Chukwuma Okorafor & Kevin Dotson and DL Tyson Alualu. To be waiting in-depth for their chance and then perform at the level they have speaks volumes to what is accomplished outside of game days from the Steelers as a whole.
In a time that’s exposing the best of teams in a horrible situation, Pittsburgh is doing better than everyone & should’ve already been expected to do so when you also consider the results of 2019.