As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, many question whether I am all in on my favorite football team. The answer is always an resounding yes! The Steelers are my favorite NFL team and always will be, but as a football coach and a fan of the game, I occasionally have a second team each season that I eye the scoreboard and watch several games on.

This tradition of a second team to “root for” started back in 2017 when the Los Angeles Rams hired the youngest NFL coach at the time in Sean McVay. As someone who was fresh out of high school and just beginning my coaching journey, McVay’s story inspired me that age is just a number and anyone can reach their dreams in life. That 2017 season was one for the ages as the Rams made the playoffs in McVay’s first year and his offensive scheme surprised many elite defenses in the league.

In 2018, I was caught rooting for the Chicago Bears and their new quarterback Mitch Trubisky paired with a “so called” offensive guru head coach in Matt Nagy. I always find myself rooting for the underdog and if the double doink never occurred, I still think to this day that the Bears continue their dominance in the postseason.

2019’s team ended up being the Green Bay Packers with new leader Matt LaFleur. Taking a failing Mike McCarthy led team in 2018 and transforming it gave me shades of McVay back in 2017. I just really enjoyed the offensive fire power that was on full display in 2019 with Aaron Rodgers and his new coach.

The 2020 season was surrounded by the pandemic but I honestly thought for a second that the Pittsburgh Steelers would hoist the Lombardi Trophy. I did not select another team to root for in 2020 and just focused my efforts on a Steelers team that ended up getting blown out in the Wild Card against the Cleveland Browns.

2021 was a unique year with many different organizations reaching the playoffs for the first time in a while. I remember mentioning how the Buffalo Bills and head coach Sean McDermott really changed the culture and how Josh Allen’s time for a Super Bowl run may be coming fast. The Bills were on my radar, but ended up falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Playoffs. A true heartbreaker in overtime where the Bills were on the brink of a Championship run.

The departure of long-time NFL coach Mike Zimmer really upset me heading into the 2022 season. I am a huge fan of Coach Zimmer and his defensive scheme along with his fiery personality, but change was needed. I ended up rooting for the Minnesota Vikings and their new coach in Kevin O’Connell. The Vikings lost in the Wild Card to the New York Giants in an upset and both teams struggled a season later.

Fast forward to this past NFL season and it was one of my favorites as a “second fan”. I remember vividly sitting at home watching the Detroit Lions win their first football game under Dan Campbell. The 2021 season proved that record was just a number and that the players really started to buy into the teachings and culture of Campbell and his staff.

The Lions were on my radar all of last year and I was excited for them and their fan base. Blowing the large lead in the Championship game versus the San Francisco 49ers truly hurt as I wanted a new team to reach the Super Bowl, one who has never made it in the first place. That ended up not occurring, but the 2022 Lions will forever have a spot in my memory as one of the most exciting and passionate teams within the last decade of NFL football.

This season I will be supporting the Atlanta Falcons and their new regime led by Raheem Morris. One thing that caught my attention recently is just how detailed and prepared Morris is and how he is a leader of the young men in the locker room. His presence impresses me as a coach and I would enjoy seeing this organization get beyond a three-year 7-10 record loop.

Morris and his defensive philosophy paired with offensive addition at quarterback Kirk Cousins should mesh well on both sides of the football. The 2024 Atlanta Falcons seem poised with breakout stars and a new energy that may be worth watching on Sundays. The only exception will be week one when the Pittsburgh Steelers face off. That, of course, will be a Steelers victory and a happy reaction from myself.