The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the 2024 regular season, but before the real games begin, the team has to head to training camp back at Saint Vincent College in order to fine tune their skills. As we here at SCN prepare you for the start of camp, we give you a series called “30 Scenarios in 30 Days” which gives you a Steelers scenario every day leading up to the start of camp.

It is simple how it works. We provide you the scenario, reasons why it will or won’t happen, and then our prediction for what we think will take place.

Let’s get to the FINAL scenario…

Scenario: The Pittsburgh Steelers will win the Super Bowl

Why it will happen: Every NFL team starts with the same 0–0 record to begin the 2024 season. That means all 32 teams have Super Bowl aspirations when the year starts. But is every team truly a contender?

There was something important from last season that showed the Pittsburgh Steelers might not be as far away from the Super Bowl as some may think. Although much is made about Patrick Mahomes and his undeniable skill as a quarterback, it was the Kansas City Chiefs defense that ranked second in yards surrendered and second in points surrendered during the 2023 NFL season. The Chiefs did not have nearly the complementary offensive weapons that they have had in the past, but the defense was enough to make up the difference. And when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers, their defense could be top-notch.

Once again using the Kansas City Chiefs as the gold standard, the other part of the equation is having a quarterback that can get the job done. There are only a handful of active quarterbacks in the NFL who have won a Super Bowl. And even though he’s closer to the end of his career than the beginning, the Steelers have a Super Bowl winning quarterback in Russell Wilson. If all these things come together, the Steelers very well could be one of the teams vying for hoisting the Lombardi at the end of the season.

Why it won’t happen: Even if a team was a heavy favorite to win the Super Bowl before the season started, the odds of it coming to fruition is still very difficult. Between injuries, team chemistry, differences in strength of the schedule than what was anticipated, and other unpredictable events, there are a number of things that could change how a season plays out for a team. Even one bad overturned call can turn a one seed into a two seed and get them bounced from the playoffs (Jesse James caught that ball).

More than just the odds of winning the Super Bowl, there are a lot of things specifically with the Pittsburgh Steelers that have to come together for them in enough time to make the postseason and to be playing their best football in the playoffs. There are questions such as  wide receiver production, new quarterbacks, a new offensive coordinator, if the offensive line can come together, the age of the defense, and holes at cornerback just to name a few. To win the Super Bowl, not just some of those things, but likely all of them would have to go in the Steelers favor.

It’s hard to win a Super Bowl. That’s why there are still franchises that haven’t done so.

Prediction: We each give our thoughts on this last one…

Jeff: I believe the Steelers will be vastly improved in 2024 on both sides of the ball, but to say I can legitimately see them winning a Super Bowl would be a lie. I’m the biggest homer you’ll meet, but there are still aspects of the current roster which are lacking, in my opinion. Could they get to the point where they are considered a threat in the AFC North and the AFC as a whole? Absolutely, but they would have to prove a lot to me this season to have me drinking the “Steelers are Super Bowl Contenders” Kool-Aid. Maybe I still have some PTSD over last preseason and how I jumped head first into the hype train of the “pristine preseason”. Either way, I have my doubts about the Steelers winning it all in 2024. 2025 is a different story, if they can figure out the quarterback situation, but 2024 will likely be just another step in the right direction.

Dave: I believe the Pittsburgh Steelers can take a big step in 2024. Can they step all the way to a Super Bowl victory? I would have to say probably not if I am being completely honest. Did that keep me from placing a wager for them to win the Super Bowl during the offseason? Absolutely not. My hope will almost always spring eternal yet still bring some grounded reality into it. I will cheer every week for this team to win and I believe that they can beat anybody in the NFL. But having it all lineup perfectly is something I’m not ready to say will happen at this point on the calendar.  There are just too many variables for 2024 that have entered into the equation. But I’m still going to love every bit of the journey.

Miss a scenario? Check out yesterday’s scenario below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for training camp.

30 Scenarios In 30 Days: The Steelers Will Win A Playoff Game