“It’s over”: The Steelers not winning another Super Bowl in my lifetime is not a traumatic event, but fans must realize something painful for first time in almost a half-century: The quest has ended for a long time.

Chuck Noll and the glory days



… six players account for 71 percent of the salary cap for 2021


When I pass from this life, which could be a while or a short time — who ever knows — I will not write anything in my lifetime accomplishments about the Pittsburgh Steelers. 


They have been a great diversion as they are for many people, but for me, their winning or losing is not an earth-shattering event. 


It is all perspective, all context. People want to be remembered for their personal accomplishments or contributions to life, whether it is creating a loving family to earning awards to building empires to making a positive effect on society. 


Sometimes, people’s interests are misinterpreted in the final evaluation. 


Nevertheless, the Steelers have been a great diversion for me in life. From their ineptitude when I was a child to their winning of six Super Bowls, they have been fun to follow.


Super Bowl quest started almost a half-century ago


For my younger friends, I hate to say this, but that first Super Bowl quest which for me started in 1972 when the Steelers first made the playoffs — and were the beneficiaries of the Immaculate Reception — to the 2020 season, the Steelers were always considered a top franchise, one that could win the Super Bowl. 


Chuck Noll won four Super Bowls in six years in the 1970s, the greatest era for Steeler football, and two more were added in the 21st Century after a long drought.


Now, after the humiliating loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night, we have to admit that all of this has ended and that another long drought is likely. 


All because of mismanagement.


Headline


The headline on an ESPN story told the tale for the future of the Steelers. 


Ben Roethlisberger's $41.2 million decision looms large for Steelers


The focus of the story is the mismanagement of the salary cap by Steelers top brass and how two players who accounted for 35 of the Browns’ points in the Sunday night debacle in which they fell behind 28-0 in the first quarter — accounted for almost $58 million against the projected salary cap of $182.4 for next year. 


Two players. QB Ben Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey, the former being more than $41 million of that. 


In fact, as the story details, 


Without any restructures, veterans Roethlisberger, Pouncey, Heyward, David DeCastro, Stephon Tuitt, Joe Haden and Steve Nelson already take up 71% of a projected $182.4 million salary cap, one reduced by the COVID-19 pandemic.


Brooke Pryor, “Ben Roethlisberger's $41.2 million decision 

looms large for Steelers,” ESPN.com, January 11, 2021


The reality is that the money made by the Steelers, and other teams, will be reduced significantly by the fact that the organization has lost a great deal of money by having few fans in the stands. 


In short, It’s over.


It was a joy for so many years, and it brought heartache along with joy. 


And, it was fun. 


The Steelers will always be my team, but for them to return to greatness, major surgery is needed.


And that should start at the top of the franchise. I hate to say that I think that the owners should consider removing a Rooney from control of the franchise that Art Rooney, Sr. started 88 years ago, but it may be the only way for it to survive. 


As for the coach … that is another topic for another time.

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