Airing of Grievances: Discontent with the State of the Steelers

The Steelers new standard

This is a point that I have harked on for a while, but with the airing of grievances being so centered around what has disappointed you in someone (or something) that you love, the Steelers standard falling to where it has is certainly up there.

The Steelers are one of the most prestigious teams in NFL history. From their streak of success in the 70s to their resurgence in the new millennium, this team expects to be competitive. Even in down years, the turnaround is quick and the focus is getting back into the Super Bowl. This has famously become the standard for the team.

The issue is, that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. While the team will come out and say that they are a Super Bowl team every season, it doesn’t feel true. This team has been shrouded in mediocrity for the past ten seasons, and success has been few and far between. Things don’t change in the offseason, and the team still claims to be a top-tier team.

If that were the case, radical changes would be made where needed. That could lead to short-term regression, especially if the position is vital, but it sets the team up for success long term. Instead, the Steelers rehash the same rhetoric every offseason acting as if they are just a step away from being contenders.

What this team is clinging to is this sense that they aren’t ever a horrible team. Case in point, the infamous Tomlin headline of never having a losing season. Sure, that is impressive enough, but when it doesn’t yield any playoff or Super Bowl success, who really cares?

Pittsburgh’s new standard is a far cry from what it used to be. Add in the other issues above, and there are plenty of reasons to be discontent with the state of this team. I have a lot of problems with this team, and now you got to hear about them!