Have Steelers Fans Given Up?

[flippy]

I couldn't help but notice how disengaged the Steelers fans were throughout the game.

It wasn't until some point in the 4th quarter when the Pats had the ball that I even noticed there was a crowd. People finally got frustrated with Mitch at one point and chanted for Kenny for a few minutes.

But then when they panned back to the crowd, there were lots of yellow seats visible and most fans quietly watching the game like they were at the opera.

Has the average die hard given up their season tix? Has the crowd become 100% corporate?

How long are fans willing to accept a subpar product? It wasn't quite this extreme, but I felt like I was watching a Pittsburgh Pirates crowd. Great to get out and see a game, but very few really invested in the product on the field.

I've been to non Steelers games in a couple of different stadiums in places like Carolina and Jax. And this opening day crowd just seemed to me like one of those team's home games.

[The Man of Steel]

Insert Kenny Pickett and the fan enthusiasm will reenergize immediately.

[Eich]

I think "given up" is a bit strong. But there's probably a noticeable lack of enthusiasm, given how poorly the offense has performed for a very long time. This is an offense-driven league. And ours has been one of the worst for too long.

Put Kenny in and I think you'll see the enthusiasm skyrocket.

And on defense, it's only really exciting when Watt is in there unfortunately.

[Northern_Blitz]

Probably hard to get super excited if you think the team needs a dtd or two to win.

[flippy]

So the fans are there just hoping to get to see Kenny's 1st game?

I almost feel like there's a vortex that just sucked us back into the 1980s.

There was still a wave of emotion amongst a lot of the fans back then cause we just won 4 superbowls in the 70s, but the interest in the team slowly waned. I remember the '1 for the thumb in 81' slogan where there was still hope, but by the mid 80s, the city's overall relationship with the Steelers lost some of the passion. And that's where my perspective is coming from here. are we back into those 80s?

I do hope Kenny prevents us from going there.

[Eich]

So the fans are there just hoping to get to see Kenny's 1st game?

I almost feel like there's a vortex that just sucked us back into the 1980s.

There was still a wave of emotion amongst a lot of the fans back then cause we just won 4 superbowls in the 70s, but the interest in the team slowly waned. I remember the '1 for the thumb in 81' slogan where there was still hope, but by the mid 80s, the city's overall relationship with the Steelers lost some of the passion. And that's where my perspective is coming from here. are we back into those 80s?

I do hope Kenny prevents us from going there.

Our HOF QB is freshly retired and a number 1 draft pick from Pitt is sitting there, waiting to get his chance. The way we're playing on offense with Mitch, I wouldn't expect much excitement from fans over trying to eek out wins without scoring TDs on offense.

[Buzz]

I feel like I've about given up on the Canada/Trubisky experiment

[feltdizz]

Our HOF QB is freshly retired and a number 1 draft pick from Pitt is sitting there, waiting to get his chance. The way we're playing on offense with Mitch, I wouldn't expect much excitement from fans over trying to eek out wins without scoring TDs on offense.

Fans have given up on Mitch and Canada.

They will eventually give up on Tomlin and the FO if they keep Pickett on the bench. Fans don’t deserve this crap.

Even if Pickett falls on his face the fans will appreciate that they at least TRIED.

Regardless of where Pickett lands early, most fans will hope and believe its his floor not his ceiling.. they know what Mitch can do and it aint much.

[Eich]

Fans are certainly letting the team know they want Kenny. You could hear the chants on TV.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Insert Kenny Pickett and the fan enthusiasm will reenergize immediately.

Yes. It might not last long, but the day it happens fans will be back. Right now with the offense being as it is, and Watt hurt, the cheering is mostly confined to the kicking and punting game.

[Chucktownsteeler]

The best near-term opportunity for a QB switch (barring injury) is after the Browns game this Thursday. If not, I think we have Mitch for the season (again barring injury).

[feltdizz]

Fans are certainly letting the team know they want Kenny. You could hear the chants on TV.

I don’t know how a franchise can pick a home town hero and think they can hide him on the bench.

The city knows what Pickett brings.. and its HOPE.

Even if he stumbles, the fans will have hope that Kenny will be the gamer they watched every Saturday.

One of the weirdest moves I have ever seen the team make. Its like having a Deebo on the sideline..

what are you waiting for and why?

[Chucktownsteeler]

I don’t know how a franchise can pick a home town hero and think they can hide him on the bench.

The city knows what Pickett brings.. and its HOPE.

Even if he stumbles, the fans will have hope that Kenny will be the gamer they watched every Saturday.

One of the weirdest moves I have ever seen the team make. Its like having a Deebo on the sideline..

what are you waiting for and why?

I agree but to plat Devil's advocate Deebo was on the sideline for a few seasons. he was also cut by the Ravens and Steelers. But I get the point you are trying to make.

Make the switch after Thursday game and get Kenny in there. Heck, worse case get MR in there.

I am afraid they have sold their soul to Mitch.

["BuzzNuter"]

The Steelers are going to give MT a shot against the Browns Thursday night. I'm going to go out on a limb here. If MT stinks up the joint in the first half, KP will play the 2nd half.

The Rooney's aren't stupid, they sense the same things we do. MT appears to have lost whatever he had when playing under game time pressure. He cannot handle the pressure of decision making when it counts. He will get one more half to redeem himself.

[Terrapin]

We've been toiling in mediocrity for years.
We've been watching the same exact **** show on offense for 2 1/2 years
Our #1 pick is riding pine behind 2 scrubs
Our #2 pick gets 2 targets per game
Thanks to the Biden economy people can't even afford the gas to get to the game, let alone pay $20 for a beer
People want to see champions, not a bunch of goofnuts (which includes the HC) auditioning for Dancing With the Stars every time they do something good

Shall I go on as to why interest is waning?