‘SO BAD’: Steelers struggles could lead to worst season of Mike Tomlin’s coaching career.
Steelers struggles could lead to worst season of Mike Tomlin’s coaching career.
Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach since 2007, has never had a losing season. CBS Sports NFL analyst Pete Prisco believes Tomlin’s record will end in January 2025, owing in part to quarterback Russell Wilson’s regression.
“I don’t think they’re gonna be very good,” Prisco said of the Steelers during an interview on the CBS Sports HQ streaming channel, according to Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. “I believe they will win seven games, and when you look at Russell Wilson, I don’t think he is any good anymore. I’ll be honest: I believe his finest years are behind him.
Others made similar remarks about Wilson before he inked a team-friendly contract to join the Steelers in March. That same month, the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired 25-year-old quarterback Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2025. Wilson appears to hold an early advantage over Fields in a “competition” for the starting position. “It wouldn’t surprise me at some point if Justin Fields took over as the starter on this team,” Prisco said. “I think they’re gonna struggle throwing the football much like they have for the last couple years.”
According to Pro-Football-Reference, Wilson finished the 2023 regular season ranked 22nd among qualified players with a 50.7 adjusted QBR. Fields ranked 24th with a 46.1 QBR. Tomlin appears to be hoping that either Wilson or Fields will benefit from playing in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s run-heavy system. Bucky Brooks, an NFL Network analyst, believes the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers may challenge for the division title after adding offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, center Zach Frazier, and guard Mason McCormick to the squad in the draft.
Prisco believes the Steelers will be “good on defense,” but he doubts they have a playoff-caliber quarterback. “I just don’t see the same guy [Wilson] anymore,” Prisco said of the veteran who had nine Pro Bowl appearances with the Seattle Seahawks from 2012 to 21. [The Steelers] will become more physical as they work out their offensive line. But I still believe they are in a tough division. “Seven wins.”
As of early Friday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Steelers’ over/under win total at 8.5. At the same time, DraftKings gave Pittsburgh +850 odds to win the AFC North Division title this season.
