After narrowly missing out on the playoffs with a 10-7 record last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are poised for a significant leap in the AFC standings, according to one analyst’s bold prediction.
NFL Total Access recently unveiled analyst Brian Baldinger’s rankings of the top five teams in the AFC, and to the surprise of many, the Steelers found themselves among the conference’s elite.
The main reason behind Pittsburgh’s elevated status is their offseason acquisition of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who brings a wealth of experience from his two-year stint with the Denver Broncos.
Wilson inked a one-year deal with the Steelers, prompting the team to trade last season’s starting quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a valuable draft pick.
In addition to parting ways with Pickett, Pittsburgh also bid farewell to quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph.
To bolster their quarterback depth behind Wilson, the Steelers struck a deal with the Chicago Bears, acquiring former starting quarterback Justin Fields in exchange for a conditional 2025 draft pick.
Beyond the quarterback shuffle, the Steelers focused on strengthening their defensive depth and fortifying both the offensive and defensive lines during the offseason.
Defensively, Pittsburgh boasts one of the conference’s most formidable units, having allowed a mere 19.1 points per game in the 2023 season while retaining key defensive stars from last year.
Armed with seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including four within the top 100 selections, Pittsburgh has ample opportunity to address any remaining roster gaps on both offense and defense.
Under the guidance of head coach Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers have maintained a winning record for an impressive 17 consecutive seasons, lending further credibility to Baldinger’s optimistic forecast as the team continues to demonstrate its ability to win games under Tomlin’s leadership.
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