‘Absolutely Not’: Former Steelers WR Sees No Path to Steelers Finishing Below .500

Could 2023 be Mike Tomlin’s first losing season? One former Steelers wide receiver sees absolutely no path to where the team could finish under .500 in 2023 after finishing 2022 strong under the guidance of Tomlin’s leadership.

Former Steelers WR Plaxico Burress joined The Carton Show on Thursday and was asked if he could see Pittsburgh ever ending up on the losing side of things in 2023. But for good reason, Burress doubted the notion, citing improvements made by the team and the coaching that Tomlin brings to the table. In particular, Burress believes the momentum gained at the end of last season can create the charge the team needs this year.

“Absolutely not,” Burress said of the notion they could have a losing season. “One of the best coaches I’ve had the opportunity to play for (Tomlin), maybe the best. He’s just a great football mind. Look at what he did last year. They started off 3-6 last year and went 9-8. For the first time in his career at the midway point, everyone thought Mike Tomlin lost his swagger and he wouldn’t get to .500. Look at the roster they had. It was not good. They started off with Mitchell Trubisky and then went to Kenny Pickett and went 9-8 with that roster.”

Carton pointed out that the team has not had a losing season since 2003 and have won the second most games in that timespan. Their model of stability across the organization allows Burress to believe that the team could surge on this season. But it could particularly help the young team that the Steelers have cultivated throughout the last few seasons. There will change on defense and the offense has to gel together as a young group, but with a better roster, they could be poised to make some more noise. Burress believes Tomlin can be the engine to that.