Steelers Molded Into A Dangerous Unit Because Of Brutal AFC North And The 'Resistance Waiting' For Them

The Pittsburgh Steelers continued their impressive 2024 offseason by putting together an impressive draft haul. Through the 2024 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh bulked up its offensive line, added an offensive weapon for its new quarterbacks, and brought more strength to the trenches. While the front office has been successful in upgrading the roster during the offseason, Stephen A. Smith doesn't see that as the primary reason for opponents to be concerned about the Steelers.

After Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season, the Steelers have been in a transitionary period trying to fill the void of the future Hall of Fame quarterback. The hope is that Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will provide both immediate and future success. For the Chicago Bears, their 2024 first-overall draft pick, quarterback Caleb Williams, is considered an elite athlete who can turn the franchise around. On First Take, Smith was asked if he thought the Bears or the Steelers offered a better situation for their signal-caller, and while he went with the Steelers, it didn't take anything away from what Williams brings.

"In Pittsburgh, I'm hopeful about Russell Wilson. I know Justin Fields is the future, but we're talking about next season, and next season - even though I expect a significant upgrade with the Steelers, who were in the playoffs last year, and Mike Tomlin is that dude, and he finds a way... we ain't gonna have the problems that we had last year with Matt Canada, I get all of that, okay? But there is Cleveland, Baltimore, and Cincinnati with a healthy Joe Burrow returning... I can't say definitively, 'Oh, the Steelers are in a better situation than Chicago.'"

Thanks to the competition in the AFC North, the Steelers have the distinct advantage of consistently playing against gritty, bruising teams. Smith sees the talent and pressure that comes from playing in a division like the AFC North as the chief reason why the Bears offer a smoother situation for their young quarterback. Throughout the 2023 season, the AFC North was seen as the most difficult to emerge victorious from, with all four teams looking like postseason contenders at one point or another.

Smith continued, explaining that, while Chicago isn't a team filled with only rookies, he can't discount what the divisional play means in the long run. The Bears, according to Smith, will provide a softer landing spot where Williams can mature as he learns to win at the NFL level. For Wilson and Fields the expectation is to win now and to compete in the division with the goal of claiming the AFC North title.

"Because, it ain't like you got a bunch of rookies there [Chicago]. You got some weapons there, some veteran weapons there to go with this rookie star, to go with your personnel on the defensive side of the ball, in a division that, I believe, albeit good, it's not better than the AFC North and the resistance waiting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's why I would say Chicago, I think, is the better situation."

Ahead of the 2024 campaign, both the Steelers and Bears have high hopes for the future of their respective franchises. With upgraded quarterback rooms on both teams, Pittsburgh is eager to prove that they are not only equal to their competition, but can rise above it.

Steelers Quarterbacks Ready To Win

Heading into their 2024 training camp, the Steelers want to see what kind of play their quarterbacks will produce. Wilson will begin as the starter, with Fields having the opportunity to compete for the job. With a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith and a retooled, young, bruising offensive line, there are no excuses left. Whoever starts for the Steelers when football games start to matter again will be set up for success.

Wilson played his best football with a solid rushing attack and a shutdown defense, both of which he has now in Pittsburgh. That kind of system allowed him to lead the Seattle Seahawks to victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. With Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren hungry to show that they can be the best rushing duo in the league, all the quarterback will have to do is get out of his own way. Pittsburgh earned a surprising Wild Card berth in 2023 despite constant frustrations, which is why the expectations for 2024 are much higher but very attainable.

Who will have the better career in the long run: Caleb Williams or Justin Fields? Comment below!