Why Missing the Playoffs for Steelers is Just Fine

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Jayson Erwin. Follow him on Twitter @JaysonErwin2002

I know a lot of people are going to disagree with this statement, but if the Steelers miss the playoffs, it wouldn't be the worst thing ever. Though they've improved since their bye week, the Steelers are still not a Super Bowl contender. Here's why the Steelers missing the playoffs isn't the worst-case scenario:

So first of all, I know people are going to say "getting into the playoffs is a chance to win the Super Bowl" and that's true, but if the Steelers make the playoffs it's likely they'll be heading in with the 7th seed, meaning they'll face the 2nd seed team. That's likely to be Buffalo, Kansas City, or even Cincy. The point is the Steelers have only 1 win this year against a team who is over .500 right now (Bengals Week 1) and even against under .500 teams, the Steelers are winning ugly. Making the playoffs is cool and all, but we'd only be there to collect our participation trophy.

So the Steelers offense has been playing well as of late. Kenny Pickett is committing fewer turnovers and slinging the pigskin into his receiver's hands, and Najee Harris and the run game, in general, are thriving. With this, why would the Steelers missing the playoffs sound better than it seems? Not a reason, but a person. Mr. Matthew Canada. Despite Matt Canada's offense putting together points, Canada is still a questionable coordinator. He still calls a lot of lackadaisical first down plays and the good ol' end around, limiting the Steelers offense. Canada just isn't the guy for calling the plays for this offense. If this team made the playoffs with a good offensive coordinator, I would be all for trying out to make the Super Bowl, however it's not that this offense doesn't have the potential to be a Super Bowl caliber offense, it's that Matt Canada isn't a Super Bowl caliber offensive coordinator.

The defensive superstar, T.J. Watt, has had a rough season. Week 1 and a torn pectoral and put on the I.R. He returns and returns to his game-wrecking ways. However, toward the end of the Falcons game, Mike Tomlin said T.J. looks "pretty beat up" and has been fighting a minor injury all week. It has been shown, the defense without Watt isn't elite. Without having to deal with a bigger atmosphere in the playoffs and more time to recover, the defense could benefit from Watt getting more rest and more time to prepare to go all out for next year. It would be a hell of a revenge tour for the QB-killin' former Wisconsin Badger. 

Now some fans can agree, this team is more talented than the record shows. Pickett is making fewer mistakes, the run game is coming together, Johnson, Pickens, and Freiermuth are there where the ball goes, the offensive line is slowly improving, and the defense is coming together since Watt's reemergence. Now I want you to imagine this team gets to add an early 1st round talent. Right now, the Steelers hold the 14th overall pick in the draft. The Steelers can go multiple ways in the draft. Draft a receiver to take pressure off Johnson and Pickens and maybe reunite Pickett with Jordan Addison. Draft a corner to pick up the slack on the struggling DB's not named Minkah, and this draft is loaded with corner talent like the son of former Steeler legend Joey Porter, Joey Porter Jr. Maybe a defensive lineman but either way, the Steelers with a good draft pick haven't been seen a lot in the Tomlin era with no-losing seasons. Plus, with an already talented team adding young talent high in the draft, this team will be dangerous next season.

I'm not saying I don't want the Steelers to make the playoffs but there are more benefits to it than people realize. The Steelers don't seem ready for the big stage, yet. They're getting there but there is more work to do. Look around the division - the Bengals are elite but will have to give up some weapons because Burrow, Chase, and Mixon are in for a huge payday. The Ravens are likely going to either lose Jackson or pay him a huge amount and they can't get more elite talent. And the Browns paid their QB, the controversial DeShaun Watson, a huge amount of money without even knowing if he'll meet expectations or not. The time to retake the division and soon a 7th Lombardi will arrive soon!