The 2024 NFL Trade Deadline has come and gone. What could have been an explosive day ended up being what it too often is: a yawn. But a few teams did add complimentary parts to their lineup, while other teams mostly stayed with what the roster yields. Then there is the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Commanders.
The Commanders have been an intriguing team to watch the last few seasons. It’s been a mix of fun and unpredictable. Wins were hard to come by, but drafting Jayden Daniels from LSU has opened a new road to team success, and if 2024 goes their way, the postseason.
Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, the Steelers are ramping up for a run. Not just a playoff run, but a Super Bowl. As they now seem settled on Russell Wilson, the offense also acquires a new receiver in Mike Williams from the New York Jets and Preston Smith to bolster their defensive pass rush.
The Steelers currently sit at 6-2 overall but also have yet to play a game inside the division. Pittsburgh is currently riding a three-game win streak with a bye coming this week before a big game at Washington. The Commanders are also making moves to not just win the NFC East, but be a player in the postseason. After that, Week 11 has them beginning a four-game gauntlet against the division with home games against the Ravens and the Browns, and road contests at Cleveland and Cincinnati. The AFC North is quickly becoming the best division in the league as both Pittsburgh and Baltimore are the two best teams with the Bengals and Steelers staring up at playoff teams.
As for the Commanders, they went defense and traded for Marshon Lattimore. With the New Orleans Saints crumbling before league eyes, Washington is rising in the East. They lead the Philadelphia Eagles with a record of 7-2 and 2-0 in the division. Like the AFC North, it’s a two team race with the Commanders and the Eagles. Both are on win streaks with Philly winning four and Washington winning three straight. Most interestingly, the winner of the NFC East could have an inside track to the Super Bowl. Not unlike the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Both Pittsburgh and Washington have gone all-in on the season. For the Steelers and Commanders, it’s New Orleans or bust. A Lombardi or nothing at all.
Two legacy teams have turned the eyes on the league of their respective teams. Washington and Pittsburgh, who have stumbled through too many seasons now have a road map. And that map could lead to Super Bowl LIX.
