Pittsburgh Steelers fans are well aware that their favorite team hasn’t won a playoff game in almost a decade. Where once the Steelers were the cream of the crop in the NFL, they’ve been mediocre more recently. While they’ve made the postseason, they haven’t been a real Super Bowl threat in years. However, they made numerous changes this offseason, hoping to become championship contenders again. Former NFL defensive lineman Booger McFarland believes that the Steelers can do that.
“Defensively, people might say I’m crazy, if they stay healthy, I think they’re a top five defense in football this year…” McFarland said recently on The Ryen Russillo Podcast. “The one question mark I have is the offensive line. Can the offensive line protect [Aaron] Rodgers, and can they run the football? … If they can do that, 12-5…
“I think they can get to 12-5. And if they get to 12-5, that means the defense is humming, that means Rodgers is healthy, that means the offensive line is playing well, and they will be a tough out come January.”
Going 12-5 would be a successful season for the Steelers. They haven’t finished a year with more than 10 wins since 2020. If they had that record going into the postseason, there would likely be more hope that they could break out of the cycle they’ve been stuck in.
They’ve got the pieces to accomplish that. Like McFarland says, the Steelers’ defense looks like it should be one of the NFL’s best this year. T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and Alex Highsmith should lead a ferocious pass rush. Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay should also give them upgrades in the secondary. That group is full of talent. They just need to jell and work as a cohesive unit.
However, the Steelers aren’t perfect. Their team still has question marks, and McFarland is correct in wondering how good their offensive line can be. That unit is predominantly young and unproven. They’ll be the key to the Steelers’ offense. If they struggle, that will hurt the Steelers’ rushing and passing attacks.
Also, there’s no telling what Rodgers, at 41 years old, will give the Steelers. Opinions on him are mixed. However, McFarland believes that Rodgers will play with an extra chip on his shoulder this year.
“I know what it feels like when you get older, and you go to a different team and you’re motivated. Aaron Rodgers is a different cat. Don’t know him; only met him one time. He thinks different. But the one thing that I’ve been told by people there is he’s motivated.”
At 29 years old, during the 2006 season, McFarland was traded to the Indianapolis Colts. He helped the Colts win the Super Bowl that season, recording a sack in the championship game.
Therefore, he understands Rodgers’ situation a little bit, and he thinks the quarterback will want to prove something. Leading the Steelers to a 12-5 record and helping them win a playoff game or two would be great for Rodgers. It’s not all on him, but he’s a big piece of the puzzle. Hopefully, the Steelers can do exactly what McFarland thinks they’re capable of.
