The Pittsburgh Steelers Will be Lacking Much Winning Mentality in the NFL Super Bowl 2024 Due to some Major Issues Within The Team
The Pittsburgh Steelers were in the Pacific Northwest on New Years Eve, where they picked up an important win on the road against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17. Prior to the game, coach Mike Tomlin was paid a visit by former Seahawks Super Bowl champ Marshawn Lynch, who made an appearance on the sidelines at Lumen Field. During a heartwarming exchange ahead of kickoff, the Steelers’ coach told Lynch that a jersey the running back had gifted to Tomlin’s son a decade ago was still hanging in his room today.
“Man, you sent my son a jersey about 10 years ago. That jersey’s been in my son’s room hanging up for like 10-11 years. His ass is in college and that jersey’s still up. Much respect to you, man,” said Tomlin to Lynch.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65406159/usa_today_13472774.0.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
Lynch seemed genuinely impressed that the gifted jersey remained on the wall in the Tomlin household to this day. The former running back had a busy weekend in Seattle, where he also made an appearance at the NHL’s Winter Classic, where he played a part in introducing the Seattle Kraken on Monday. The 37-year-old was a fan favorite throughout his career in the NFL, and remains so in retirement. He played 13 seasons in the pros, featuring in 149 games and scoring 85 rushing touchdowns. Lynch was a five-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro and won a Super Bowl with Seattle in 2017.
Quarterback Mason Rudolph has only started two games over the past 25 months. But those two starts have come over the past two weeks, and both were Pittsburgh Steelers wins where the offense scored at least 30 points.
During those games, Rudolph’s play was some of the best the Steelers have received behind center since Ben Roethlisberger led the team to a 12-4 mark during 2020.
While two games is a small sample, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac still argued that there’s little doubt about the team’s plans with Rudolph this offseason.
“There is no question the Steelers will try to re-sign Rudolph after the season,” Dulac wrote in an online chat on January 3. “I’m guessing they will simply give him Trubisky’s contract, which is about $11.5 million over two years.”
Rudolph is set to be a free agent this offseason while Mitch Trubisky has two years remaining on his contract.
The Steelers surprised media pundits and fans by bringing back Rudolph and signing Trubisky to a contract extension last offseason. But this offseason, Dulac projected Pittsburgh’s preferred plan as bringing back Rudolph and not Trubisky for 2024.
“Pickett, Mason [Rudolph] and a new No. 3. Trubisky is scheduled to earn $4.5 million in salary and another $1 million in roster bonus in 2024 and $5 million in salary and $1 million in roster bonus in 2025,” Dulac wrote. “That’s $11.5 million in real money the Steelers will save if they release him. And that’s way over the top for a No. 3 QB.”
