The Pittsburgh Steelers have been going through a playoff win draught ever since their last postseason victory back during the 2016 season. The organization has made plenty of playoff appearances since then, but have failed to advance in each season. Most recently, the team suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Buffalo Bills during the Wild Card Round in the 2023 season. This year, things may be different, as veteran defender Cam Heyward believes the team has made enough moves to go on an impressive run.
Heyward and Chris Boswell are the only homegrown Steelers players with true playoff experience. No one else on the roster has won a postseason game while donning the black and gold. This has been a serious blemish on the resume of Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Heyward recently went on the Brain & Life Podcast, where he shared his thoughts about what Khan has done during the offseason and their chances to make some noise in the postseason in 2024.
"I think we got a really good team. I think we have a team that contends for a Super Bowl. I think when you look at the moves we've done this offseason, bringing a guy like Russ Wilson, another guy in Justin Fields. And then you look at the other pieces we've added; you add guys like Patrick Queen, a linebacker from the Baltimore Ravens, now he's playing for the good guys. I'm happy about that."
Khan pulled off one of the more active offseasons in recent memory for the Steelers. Great free agent additions were made, specifically adding Russell Wilson and Patrick Queen. Queen was stolen from Pittsburgh's biggest rival in the Baltimore Ravens. Heyward spoke more about how these additions will help Pittsburgh capture a seventh Lombardi Trophy.
"I think we have a good mesh of players already. But then you add guys with not only great people, but great pedigree that can really elevate this team and hopefully bring home a seventh Super Bowl for the Pittsburgh Steelers."
Pittsburgh had a good team in 2023 as well. Obviously, the unit had their weak spots, but Khan went out and upgraded those areas. The Steelers made the postseason in 2023 while starting three separate quarterbacks, and having to resort to their practice squad to find a safety and inside linebackers to start on their defense late in the season. If Pittsburgh can stay healthy, they could see themselves being contenders.
Steelers Will Have Their Work Cut Out For Them In Order To Make The Playoffs In 2024
Pittsburgh has one of the tougher schedules in the NFL going into the 2024 season, mainly due to how good the AFC North is. All four teams finished the 2023 season with a winning record, and three teams made the playoffs. If the division can stay healthy, the 2024 season could be real disastrous for the Steelers.
It's always important for a team to start a season on the right foot, but it is extra important for the Steelers to do so in 2024. Once Week 11 hits, Pittsburgh will be going through a gauntlet for the rest of the regular season. They will play all six of their divisional games, while also taking on the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.
If they can find a way to survive that gauntlet and make the postseason, it will be even more difficult to make it all the way to the big game. The Chiefs have made the last six AFC Championship Games, and they are by far the best team in the league. The path to the Super Bowl runs through Kansas City, and Pittsburgh will need to find a way to battle through that.
