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Why the Steelers of 2022 resemble the Steelers of the ’80s

By Michelle Kotts

Dec 13, 1986; E. Rutherford, NJ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mark Malone (16) in action against the New York Jets at Giants Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Jets 45-24. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 1986; E. Rutherford, NJ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mark Malone (16) in action against the New York Jets at Giants Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Jets 45-24. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin  Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin  Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Steelers of today reek of the ’80s

More than a decade after Bill Cowher retired, Mike Tomlin has led the Steelers. Did we see him bring back more titles to Pittsburgh? No, We Saw them lose a Superbowl in 2010 and only go to one AFC championship since 2010. Since 2010 they have had a losing record in the playoffs. Whereas the Steelers may have had a lot of talent on the two Superbowl teams in the late 2000s, that talent pool has dwindled to only a few standout players.

In the 1980s, we saw lousy teams one right after another year after year have pathetic seasons. Between 2010 and 2022, we have the same thing. The mere difference is sure Mike Tomlin keeps them competitive in the regular season. Ok great! But when Pittsburgh wins their division but gets bounced out of the playoffs in the wild-card round, you get all the Tomlin apologists crawling out of the woodwork.

‘Wait till next year; we still had a great regular season.’ That’s fine and dandy, but those of us who watched Pittsburgh in the ’70s expect titles, not a great regular season. The Steelers of the ’70s spoiled me. If the players or coaches can’t win titles, then go find someone who can.

No, that’s apparently too much work; they will keep Matt Canada for an additional season when they should have fired him after the loss to the Eagles. The Steelers ownership after the 2022 seasons has all but aligned itself with continued mediocracy and no desire to win titles, making the current Steelers team no better than the ones we suffered through in the 1980s.

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Perhaps Art Rooney III has been spending a bit too much time with Pirates owner Bob Nutting and has drunk some of Nutting’s kool-aid. Rooney must be convinced that there is no longer any value in winning in the playoffs or winning a title. If Myron Cope were still alive, you could hear him say of the Steelers today, mmm-haw.

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