What If the Pittsburgh Steelers Never Drafted Terry Bradshaw? (2024)

By Arslan Saleem August 09, 2024 01:58

Photo by Black and Gold World

Exploring the realms of NFL history, one can't help but ponder the numerous "what if" scenarios that might have reshaped the landscape of professional football as we know it. Among the most compelling historical twists is the question: What if the Pittsburgh Steelers never drafted Terry Bradshaw?

Imagine a scenario where the Steelers, a franchise encouraged by the legendary plays and leadership of Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, had taken a different path. Bradshaw, whose arm strength, leadership, and clutch performances under pressure led Pittsburgh to an unprecedented four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s, is inseparable from the Steelers' first dynasty.

This alternate history of the Steelers, their strategies, potential quarterback alternatives, the resultant legacy of the team, and the broader implications for the NFL is not just a curious digression but a thought experiment that invites us to reconsider the nature of fate, talent, and team identity in the high-stakes world of professional football.

First Steelers Super Bowl Dynasty, Minus Bradshaw

A Shift in Strategy

The Steelers may not have had the dynasty we know of from the 1970s if Bradshaw was not under center. The perfect blend of an elite arm, fiery leadership, and clutch play made Bradshaw a key piece in Pittsburgh. This allowed the Steelers to be more diverse offensively and have a dynamic offensive in conjunction with their stout defense.

Without Bradshaw, the Steelers could have turned even more to their running game – a strength with Hall of Famers like Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier. For example, the team could have emphasized running and defense by slowing things down with the offense. That would have worked somewhat, but it may have hampered their offensive fireworks and capabilities in high-scoring games.

Other Quarterback Options

Had the Steelers not taken Bradshaw first overall in 1970, they would've needed to find a QB elsewhere. Potential alternatives may include:

Mike Phipps: Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1970, he was replaced after eight seasons as a competent quarterback but never achieved the success of Bradshaw. His inexperience and inability to take over a big game might have prevented the Steelers from winning championships.

Ken Anderson: He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1971 and later a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback for them. But he only flourished in the last part of that decade, and we will never know if he was system-ideal in Pittsburgh.

Joe Theismann: Originally drafted by the Steelers in 1971, they decided to move him to wide receiver, and he eventually became one of three quarterbacks for Washington. If the Steelers had entrenched him as solely a quarterback earlier in his career, his future could have been different than it was playing multiple positions with injuries notwithstanding and running back-type touches. True to form, he would've experienced problems similar to those problems similar those of selected by Pittsburgh.

Team Legacy

The Steelers' success in the 1970s would have been far different without Bradshaw. He really set the Steelers' identity with his leadership and came through for them in clutch moments, like during his Super Bowl wins and memorable playoff games.

The Steelers won Super Bowls IX, X, XIII & XIV with Bradshaw. The team would not have won one championship during this period without him. The perfect storm for success gets even stronger with Bradshaw and the Steel Curtain. The team could have appealed to a player of Russell's ability, and in the absence, it might have hindered its battle against other powerhouse teams like the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys.

Only after Greene finally arrived in 1969 as the first football operation coach did Bradshaw emerge from that slump, and once he began to win so insufferably, it was where coaching bored him; only ultimately, with four Super Bowl rings later, could his legend begin. His media presence and charismatic nature helped the league become more popular. With him, the Steelers may become the legendary franchise they are now, which would have helped NFL growth.

NFL Power Blitz

AFC Dynamics

The 1970s overhaul of the Steelers undoubtedly left a large mark in shaping AFC hegemony. Obviously, the Steelers would have had inferior play fundamentally, which would not have allowed them to compete, keeping other clubs ascended.

Cincinnati Bengals:With Ken Anderson as their quarterback, Cincinnati might have emerged as the team to beat in the AFC North. They might have won sooner in the late 1970s or early '80s if it weren't for the Steelers.

Miami Dolphins: The team that won the first two Super Bowls in the NFL and was competing for a title with less competition than it is now due to its rivalry with Pittsburgh. This would have kept them the dominant team in that conference and could have resulted in more championships.

NFL Landscape

The Steelers rose to dominance in the 1970s with a bruising defense and an offense that ran like no other. Their success was instrumental in helping shape parity throughout the NFL as we know it today. The league's story might have been very different without their titles.

More Parity: The fact that there was no dominant Steelers team could have led to more parity in the NFL. The league itself might have been more competitive, with other franchises given a better chance to win championships.

Legacy on Future Generations: Bradshaw's influence inspired future generations of quarterbacks for years to come. Had he flopped, the dual-threat quarterback might have developed differently as an archetype and changed how teams considered using the QB position.

Bradshaw's Legacy

Franchise Identity

40 years after Terry Bradshaw stepped down from the center stage in the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, he is still very much a part of everything that franchise does, probably more so even, both on and off the field. He has four Super Bowl wins and two Super Bowl MVP awards for being one of the best quarterback in NFL history.

Bradshaw became a cultural icon due to his personable, charismatic looks, charm, and charisma on and off the field. His broadcasting career was just as impressive and solidified his place in homes nationwide. Without his contributions, the Steelers would have been recognized and respected nearly as much.

The what-if of the Pittsburgh Steelers never taking Terry Bradshaw opens a Pandora's box. The very fabric of the franchise would have been changed as we know it if he did. Had the Steelers not had Bradshaw in charge, they might not have won all those games, enough that it altered the balance of NFL power during one or both parts of the decade and changed how quarterbacks were viewed.

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