The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 season was a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, with the team ultimately falling short of their goal of making it to the Super Bowl. However, according to former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter Sr., the team was much closer to achieving their goal than many people realize.
“Only a few plays separated us from the Super Bowl,” Porter said in a recent interview. “We were that close. We had some opportunities that we didn’t capitalize on, and that’s what made the difference.”
Porter, who played for the Steelers from 1994 to 2006 and was a key member of their Super Bowl XL championship team, knows a thing or two about what it takes to be successful in the NFL. He’s been following the Steelers closely since his retirement and has a unique perspective on the team’s strengths and weaknesses.
“I think we had a good team last year,” Porter said. “We had some talented players, and we had some guys who really stepped up and made some big plays. But we also had some inconsistencies, and that’s what hurt us.”
One of the areas where the Steelers struggled was in their pass defense. The team gave up a number of big plays through the air, including several touchdowns. Porter believes that this was a key factor in the team’s inability to make it to the Super Bowl.
“We gave up too many big plays in the passing game,” Porter said. “We had some guys who were beaten, and we had some breakdowns in coverage. That’s something that we need to work on this offseason.”
Despite their struggles, the Steelers were still able to win 11 games and make it to the playoffs. Porter believes that this is a testament to the team’s resilience and determination.
“I think we showed a lot of heart and grit last season,” Porter said. “We had some tough games, and we had some injuries. But we always found a way to bounce back and compete. That’s something that I’m proud of.”
As the Steelers look to build on their success in the 2024 season, Porter believes that they need to focus on making a few key improvements. One area where he thinks the team can improve is in their running game.
“I think we need to get more consistent in the running game,” Porter said. “We had some games where we ran the ball well, but we also had some games where we struggled. We need to find a way to be more consistent and reliable in the running game.”
The Steelers will also need to address their pass defense, which was a major weakness last season. Porter believes that the team needs to find a way to generate more pressure on the quarterback and to limit the number of big plays they give up through the air.
“We need to find a way to get more pressure on the quarterback,” Porter said. “We need to be able to rush the quarterback and disrupt their timing. And we need to be able to limit the number of big plays we give up through the air. If we can do those things, I think we can be a really good team.”
What’s Next for the Steelers?
The Steelers still have several needs to address this offseason, including:
Cornerback: The Steelers need to add depth and talent to their cornerback position.
Linebacker: The Steelers need to add depth and talent to their linebacker corps.
Running back: The Steelers need to add depth and talent to their running back position.
The Steelers will likely address these needs through a combination of free agency and the draft. With a few key improvements, the Steelers could be a serious contender for the Super Bowl in the 2025 season.
