Leatest News: The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Hot Start Was Nothing But A Mirage

When the Pittsburgh Steelers began their 2024 season with a hot start, the football world took notice. At 5-1, the team appeared poised to finally break free from the mediocrity that had defined the latter years of their post-Ben Roethlisberger era. Their defense, led by stars like T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, was wreaking havoc, while their offense, although not overly explosive, was efficient enough to get by. With head coach Mike Tomlin at the helm, many fans and analysts started to believe that the Steelers could make a deep playoff run.

However, as the season progressed, it became increasingly clear that the early success was not a reflection of a true contender. In fact, it became evident that the Steelers’ hot start was more of a mirage than a sign of sustained success. The team’s flaws, which had been masked by the team’s early wins, began to surface in the weeks following their initial surge. A deeper look into the factors that contributed to their early success—and eventual collapse—reveals a team that was benefiting from favorable circumstances rather than legitimate dominance.

This article will explore the reasons behind the Pittsburgh Steelers’ misleading hot start in 2024 and why, despite their strong opening, the team ultimately faltered as the season wore on.

The Illusion of Success: How the Steelers Built Their Early Lead

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 5-1 record at the start of the 2024 season had more to do with circumstance than actual sustained excellence. While it’s true that the Steelers are a team with a proud history, the reality of their early success came from a series of favorable matchups and timely plays, rather than any truly dominant performances.

1. Soft Schedule and Close Wins

One of the biggest factors that contributed to the Steelers’ early success was their relatively weak schedule. During their first six games, the Steelers faced a mix of teams that were either rebuilding, struggling with injuries, or simply not playing well. While every NFL team is dangerous on any given Sunday, the Steelers were fortunate to face several teams that weren’t firing on all cylinders.

For instance, they narrowly defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that was still adjusting to the departure of key players and dealing with offensive line woes. In another close win, they bested a Houston Texans squad that was still finding its footing under rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. While a win is a win, the Steelers were not dominating opponents in these games; rather, they were winning with timely plays and a bit of luck.

The Steelers also had some early victories thanks to their defense, which picked up key turnovers and forced the opposing quarterbacks into mistakes. But, as the season wore on, the Steelers’ offense struggled to put up points, and their defense, while still formidable, couldn’t carry the team to the same level of success.

2. Opportunistic Defense and Defensive Stars

The Steelers have long been known for their hard-hitting defense, and in 2024, that unit continued to be the team’s driving force. Early on, Pittsburgh’s defense looked like a juggernaut, racking up turnovers and pressuring quarterbacks. With players like T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward anchoring the defense, the Steelers were creating chaos and putting their offense in favorable positions. Their success was often a result of their ability to capitalize on mistakes and disrupt the flow of the opposing offense.

However, while the defense was certainly a bright spot, there was one key issue: they were asked to do too much. The Steelers’ offense, particularly the play of second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, was inconsistent, forcing the defense to carry the load week after week. In the early stretch of the season, the Steelers were able to scrape by with defensive touchdowns, interceptions, and field goals from their special teams, masking the struggles on offense.

As the season progressed and the competition ramped up, it became clear that the Steelers’ defense—while still elite in many ways—was not enough to consistently overcome the team’s offensive deficiencies.

Kenny Pickett and the Struggles of the Offense

While the Steelers’ defense may have been carrying the team in the early portion of the season, the offense’s performance was a much different story. Kenny Pickett, the team’s second-year quarterback, was expected to take a step forward after a solid, if unspectacular, rookie season. Instead, his development was stunted, and his play became one of the major issues for Pittsburgh.

1. Inconsistent Quarterback Play

Pickett’s performance in 2024 was a mixed bag. While there were flashes of promise—most notably in late-game situations where he seemed to thrive in clutch moments—there were far too many moments of inconsistency. His decision-making was often questionable, and his ability to drive the offense down the field on a consistent basis was lacking.

The lack of explosiveness in the passing game was a critical issue for the Steelers. Despite having talented receivers like Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, Pickett’s inability to connect with them downfield limited the offense’s potential. This lack of offensive explosiveness became even more pronounced as the season wore on, with defenses increasingly able to stifle Pittsburgh’s stagnant attack.

2. Offensive Line Struggles

Another problem was the offensive line. Though it improved from the previous season, the line still had issues in pass protection and run blocking. Pickett faced constant pressure, which led to rushed throws and unnecessary sacks. The Steelers’ run game, which relied on Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, also failed to get going on a consistent basis. Without a dynamic running game to complement the passing attack, the Steelers’ offense became predictable and easy to defend against.

Despite the flashes of brilliance from their defense, the offense held the team back from being a true contender. With no real balance or consistent offensive threat, Pittsburgh’s lack of a fully functional offense was always going to catch up with them.

The Turning Point: Reality Sets In

As the 2024 season progressed, the Steelers began to face stiffer competition. The games became tougher, the wins more difficult to come by. It was during this stretch that the Steelers’ early success began to unravel, exposing the flaws in their roster and play calling.

1. Losses to Playoff-Caliber Teams

In the latter half of the season, the Steelers lost several games to teams with more balanced offenses and capable quarterbacks. Losses to divisional rivals like the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens—both of whom had explosive offenses—highlighted just how limited Pittsburgh was on both sides of the ball. While their defense could still be dominant at times, it wasn’t enough to keep up with high-scoring offenses week after week.

2. The Need for Change: Coaching and System

At this point, it became clear that Mike Tomlin, while a Hall of Fame-caliber coach, could not rely on his defense alone to get the Steelers deep into the playoffs. The offensive system, which had been somewhat stagnant and predictable for several years, was clearly in need of an overhaul. While offensive coordinator Matt Canada took some blame for the team’s struggles, the lack of significant adjustments or improvement in Pickett’s play showed that the team was not evolving at the necessary pace to keep up with the best teams in the league.

Looking Ahead: What the Steelers Must Do to Contend

For the Steelers, the hot start to the 2024 season was a false hope. It was built on opportunistic defense, a soft schedule, and timely plays, rather than sustained excellence. As the season continued, their flaws became more pronounced, leading to a series of disappointing results.

Moving forward, the Steelers need to focus on the following areas to become a true contender in the years to come:

1. Kenny Pickett’s Development: The team must continue to invest in Pickett’s development, surrounding him with the right coaching and talent to ensure that he can become a consistent leader for the offense.
2. Offensive Line Improvement: The Steelers must continue to upgrade their offensive line to provide Pickett with better protection and open lanes for the running game.
3. Coaching Adjustments: Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Matt Canada need to make more significant adjustments to the offensive system to unlock the potential of the playmakers on the team.
4. Balancing the Defense and Offense: While the defense remains elite, the Steelers can’t continue to rely solely on their defense to win games. They need to find a way to balance the two sides of the ball, creating a more well-rounded team that can compete with the best.