Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Analyst Predicts Steelers to Have Losing Season in 2024

Originally posted on Steelers Now | By Chris Ward | Last updated 5/26/24

Over the last three years, many have predicted the Pittsburgh Steelers to have their first losing season since 2003, but that has yet to come to fruition. No matter the circumstance, Mike Tomlin has the Steelers at or over a .500 record and in competition for a playoff spot. Throughout his 17-year career as the Steelers head coach, Tomlin has coached in only one game where the Steelers were eliminated from playoff contention (Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns in 2012).

With the Steelers daunting schedule in 2024, Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated thinks this season will be the year that Tomlin experiences his first losing season. The Steelers’ over/under win total is set at 8.5.

“This might finally be the year that Mike Tomlin doesn’t end a season with a winning record, something he’s accomplished the past 17 seasons,” Manzano said. “The Steelers are hoping Russell Wilson reignites his career, though they do have Justin Fields as insurance. It won’t be easy for either to succeed with a thin group of pass catchers outside of George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth. The defense should once again be productive, but Pittsburgh tends to struggle if T.J. Watt isn’t on the field. Watt missed the 31–17 wild-card loss to the Bills.”

The Steelers have the toughest schedule this upcoming season, based on forecasted win totals, according to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football. The Steelers’ final eight games are especially brutal with all six of their AFC North divisional games coming in that span.

The late-season AFC North games could be beneficial to the Steelers, however, as they might be matched up with backup quarterbacks due to an injury. The Steelers faced six backup quarterbacks in their final eight games in 2023. They went 3-3 in those games, however.

“I think it’s better that way. You could have banged-up quarterbacks on the opponents, and you have a brand new offense,” Florio said during an appearance with The PM Team on 93.7 The Fan Wednesday. “It’s going to be fine-tuned, in theory, it’s going to be honed in theory. Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, whoever the quarterback is, is gonna be operating at a higher level of comfort. When you’re the team who’s making the most dramatic change, I think it’s better to get those games later.”

The Steelers will have their hands full in 2024 with the tough schedule and the ultra competitive AFC North. Doubting Mike Tomlin and predicting his first losing season is a risky proposition, however. I mean, he somehow managed to lead the Steelers to a 10-7 record and a wild-card playoff birth with Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph at quarterback last season.

This article first appeared on Steelers Now and was syndicated with permission.

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