For some reason, Stephen A. Smith is not a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers' offseason moves, which included the trades for quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
In summary, Smith thinks the Steelers are headed for dead last in the AFC North, behind the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens (in no particular order).
"Let me tell you something right now. The Steelers looked awful offensively. They looked absolutely awful," Smith said on First Take. "I'm very, very disgusted with what I saw. Let's get that out of the way first. Secondly, I get where Shay-Shay [Shannon Sharpe] is coming from in terms of starting Russell Wilson. That was certainly my thought process. I'm not sure how sold I am on that right now. I understand he's had the calf injury and stuff like that. I get that reality...
"...I get all of that, but I'm looking at Russell Wilson and I'm saying, this is why the Denver Broncos didn't want him. I don't want to hear anything about the calf injury. Are you still holding onto the ball too long? Yeah, that was the problem. And so I'm just looking at it from that standpoint, Shannon, and I'm not enthused. I know that the AFC North is no joke...
"...I don't want to ever, and I've never said this before because I believe in Mike Tomlin so much, but the Steelers have last place written all over them. Shay, they got last place written all over them. I don't see how they get out of this."
"The Steelers looked awful offensively. ... The Steelers have last place written all over them."
—@stephenasmith 😳 pic.twitter.com/ewJ4LxChpf
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 19, 2024
Well, then. Guess that about sums it up. It's a bold prediction, given that the Steelers always have been playoff contenders under coach Mike Tomlin. And their defense remains among the best in the NFL. So, yeah. Strong words from Smith.
