What if Troy Polamalu played for the Steelers in the 1970s?

Troy Polamalu’s would-be 1970s Steelers legacy

The hard-hitting action of the 1970s takes a toll on Troy Polamalu. Whereas he played 11 seasons in real life, he retires after 1982. If Polamalu had one weakness, he was slightly injury-prone and missed 34 games in his career. It’s fair to say he would have fared no better, but they did have shorter seasons, so over that period, he misses some games, probably 20 to 25.

His forced fumbles rise, and he has about 20 over his career and improves his pick-sixes by three, finishing with five. His sack total increases and he has 15 to 20 in his career. He finishes with 40 plus interceptions.

He enters the Pro Football Hall of fame in 1987 with fellow teammate Joe Greene. However, Polamalu’s induction prevents Don Maynard from entering, as Polamalu edged out Maynard in the final selection.

Most importantly, with Polamalu, Pittsburgh wins six titles in the span of eight seasons, giving the Steelers eight titles in their franchise, something the Tom Brady-led Patriots never come close to achieving, nor the 49ers dynasty of the 1980s and early 1990s.