Who knows what specific social media post prompted Diontae Johnson to share his opinion on Steelers Nation, because it could’ve been one of thousands.
“lol yaw so negative it’s sad,” Johnson wrote on X on New Year’s Day.
It’s true. Steelers fans are a miserable lot. Winning, apparently, doesn’t help that — even in the slightest.
Two consecutive wins after a three-game slide aren’t going to suddenly change things. The only thing that will cure negativity at this point is postseason victories — one-and-done doesn’t cut it.
It probably has something to do with expectations, and those of Steelers fans are high. Pittsburgh has a strong history of winning, of always being in the postseason conversation. Though the winning is there — let’s say it together now: “17 non-losing seasons” — the postseason part of those expectations has not been.
And Steelers fans are rightfully fed up.
Although it’s been decades, the Super Bowl success of the 1970s has spoiled fans to the point where two wins in four shots are unacceptable. No Steelers fan is satisfied with zero playoff wins in the six seasons. It’s the third-longest drought in the NFL (Miami Dolphins, 21 years; New York Giants, 10 years), which will only get extended with the 2023 season.
Mike Tomlin, the second-most tenured coach in the NFL, also owns the longest Super Bowl drought. Pittsburgh’s last appearance dates back to 2010 — 14 seasons — and they squandered a potential victory after a fumble by running back Rashard Mendenhall I (had to squeeze that in there).
The NFL is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, and the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t done it lately. That’s just what it comes down to for fans.
lol yaw so negative it’s sad.
— Diontae Johnson (@Juiceup__3) January 1, 2024
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