This is the continuation of a series of “What If” articles on Steelers history.
1933-69: The Winter of Our Discontent: HERE.
1970-79: The Golden Age: HERE
2010-15: Heartbreak, part 1: HERE
2015-19: Heartbreak, part 2: HERE.
The 90s and the 2000s are yet to come, but this one asks questions about the great transition of the 1980s, with the NFL’s rule changes and the Steelers mass retirements. We think of the 80s as a lost era for the Steelers, but there was more happening than you’d think.