Are the Steelers currently the worst team in the NFL?

The Steelers suffered one of their most embarrassing losses in recent memories, and one has to wonder if they truly are one of the worst teams in the league.

The Steelers got absolutely decimated by the Bills on Sunday, and things look awfully bleak for the team. While there are some bright spots, the team as a whole has been bad in almost every facet. As of this writing, they are currently slated to have the number one overall pick in the draft. That is something that hasn’t happened since the bottom of the franchise in 1970.

Will they ultimately hold onto that pick? The odds say no, but this team is cruising for a top-ten draft pick based on how every facet of this team is playing. The offense is in shambles, is predictable, and remains conservative even when down. The defense can’t find its groove and is utilizing a lot of mediocre players despite boasting an expensive payroll.

Are the Steelers the worst team in the league?

Normally with Pittsburgh, you could sum up their odds due to certain circumstances. A tough schedule or a quarterback injury causes some early miscues. That hasn’t been the case, as average teams like the Jets, Patriots, and Browns have beaten this team with relative ease. Some, myself included, thought they would at least be competitive against the Bills, but that wasn’t the case.

Yes, the loss of T.J. Watt is a blow to the defense, but the fact that his loss was this catastrophic is a testament to the rest of the players not holding up their own contracts. Outside of some star performers in Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith (both of whom have played exceptionally well despite the team’s struggles), this defense has been bad. Even a usual star like Cameron Heyward has been far quieter than usual.

The offense, meanwhile, has been disgustingly bad. Despite all of these “investments” into a ground attack led by Najee Harris, this team can’t run the ball. The quarterback carousel ended quickly with Kenny Pickett now the starter moving forward, but that certainly didn’t make the offense that much better on Sunday.

Who is the worst team in the league?

Looking at the state of the NFL right now, on paper, the Steelers wouldn’t be the worst team in the league. To me, the Panthers seem like an even worse team at this point. They have had similar issues to the Steelers, but they are lacking a quarterback to even build around. That said, the Steelers are playing like a bottom-three team in the league, and the fact that this is a debate is a blow to this franchise.

Changes will need to be made this offseason, if not sooner. While saving this season isn’t on the table, this level of mediocrity can’t continue. No one should have seriously expected the Steelers to compete this season with all of this change, but this start to the year has been pathetic. No player or coach should feel safe considering just how bad this team has looked this year.