Steelers facing NFL fate that hasn't happened in 23 years

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had a losing season since 2003.

Could this be the year? That's not normally the way fans would use that question, but it's how we're using it in this case.

Yes, it certainly could be.

Mike Tomlin is gone, replaced by Mike McCarthy. At best, the quarterback will be an aging Aaron Rodgers -- and at worst, he chooses to retire and the Steelers have someone even worse playing the most important position in sports.

ESPN's Dan Graziano wrote in a new article on Monday that a losing season is a very realistic possible outcome for the Steelers.

"First of all, it has to happen at some point," Graziano writes. "Playing 22 straight seasons without a losing record is a stunning accomplishment and a testament to the culture and stability that have defined the Steelers over that time. But the reason this isn't an overreaction? It has kind of been on a knife's edge for a while now, and it's possible Tomlin was holding it all together. The Steelers' win totals the past five seasons are nine, nine, 10, 10 and 10. They've been a good team, but it has been a while since they've been a great one. They haven't won a playoff game since the 2016 season."

From there, he breaks down the harsh quarterback reality the Steelers are facing. So often, an NFL team's season comes down to QB play.

"The main reason they haven't been able to elevate is that, since Roethlisberger, they haven't found a meaningful or lasting solution at the quarterback position," Graziano writes. "A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who hasn't finished in the top 20 in the league in QBR since 2021, isn't going to fix that. At best, he's a Band-Aid for the problem. At worst, his play goes off a cliff in the season in which he turns 43, and the Steelers are in real trouble."

He warns that sooner or later, "the floor is going to drop out."

If it's not this season, the Steelers have done well, because there are real negatives ahead of them.

Sometime, though, Pittsburgh will wind up on the wrong side of .500.

More NFL news:

• Patriots subtly insult Rob Gronkowski
• Michael Pittman Jr. had to fly 28 hours after trade from Colts to Steelers
• Travis Kelce's new Chiefs contract has a simple retirement plan
• Darius Slay reveals 1 NFL team he'd play for in 2026
• How the Vikings actually feel about J.J. McCarthy
• Will Tua actually start with the Falcons?