The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to pull out a winning season last year, somehow defying the odds and overcoming a slew of adversity. 

Multiple starting quarterbacks, a rookie signal caller who would then become injured (Kenny Pickett), and a former defensive MVP (T.J. Watt) gone for most of the year. Pittsburgh took their licking but kept on sticking.

It seems Bo Wulf of The Athletic has noted this in his latest set of power rankings, giving the Steelers a 15th overall ranking and saying the following:

"We thank the Steelers’ front office for being loyal readers of these power rankings and following our December suggestion to sign Isaac Seumalo to fortify their offensive line (shoutout to the Broncos and Colts as well)," said Wulf. "A full season of T.J. Watt should bring the Steelers back into the upper echelon of defenses, and there’s reason to be excited about Kenny Pickett’s development. Every team from here on down seems flawed to varying degrees, but Mike Tomlin has earned some faith."

Now some people will say my opening statements (ones that were echoed by Wulf's blurb) are merely excuses. 

But the fact of the matter is, playing quarterback in the NFL is hard, playing quarterback in the NFL as a rookie…

Expert difficulty mode activated. 

Wulf's point on T.J. Watt isn't backed up only by expert opinion, rather we have tangible analyses available that prove just how big of an impact the former NFL defensive MVP has when on the field. 

Per Statmuse, Pittsburgh is a remarkable 59-26-2 when Watt is suited up. Without him?

1-10. 

Few players outside of elite quarterbacks have the impact that Watt does for his team. An elite defender that also guides the ship and sets the tone from a play and personality perspective, his effect can not be understated. 

Perhaps Wulf's most notable point comes from his last sentence in the blurb:

"Every team from here on down seems flawed to varying degrees, but Mike Tomlin has earned some faith."

I know the expectations are high, the boundaries are clear, and the standard is the standard. 

But as an occasional Tomlin critic myself, I paused and thought, when is the last time the Steelers went through a true rebuild?

You know, the thing the Los Angeles Rams are experiencing. You win a championship and then complacency, injuries, and free-agent departures along with no draft picks form a convoluted mess of a season that resulted in a 5-12 record. 

A true fall from Grace for the team that hoisted the Lombardi just a year ago. 

Pittsburgh has yet to experience that under Mike Tomlin. 

Year and year out, you know what's coming when you face Pittsburgh. That's how even in the Pittsburgh version of a rebuilding year (2022) they go 9-8. 

Expect even better come the fall.