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To suggest the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base was at a low at the end of the 2018 season is an understatement. Missing the playoffs, watching the Baltimore Ravens winning the AFC North, and witnessing the spontaneous combustion of Antonio Brown taking place after he was benched during Week 17.
Yeah, it was bad, and fans’ confidence was low at the end of the season.
However, a stellar offseason with the additions of Steven Nelson, Mark Barron, Donte Moncrief and a 9-man 2019 NFL Draft class highlighted by Devin Bush in the first round has the fan base looking up.
In Week 1 of the NFL Preseason the Steelers got the best of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-28, but what happened on the field not related to the score is what was truly made fans excited.
In other words, Devin Bush happened.
The Steelers’ prized draft pick was flying all over the field making 10 tackles in just over a quarter and a half time in the lineup. On top of that, stellar performances from players like Mason Rudolph and James Washington have the fans geared up and ready for the games to start in just a few short weeks.
As you can see in the graph below, thanks to SB Nation’s FanPulse surveys, the fans confidence has been growing, and is still growing with each passing week.
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For those looking for specific numbers from the above image, check the specific percentages at each point along the way since the end of the 2018 season to now:
End of Season: 15% Confidence
Free Agency: 56% Confidence
Pre-NFL Draft: 57%
Post-NFL Draft: 70%
Preseason Week 1: 86%
I think it is safe to say Steelers’ fans are excited for the upcoming season. Not just the decreased amount of drama with Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown gone, but the promise of a young, and potentially up-and-coming, team to hone their skills and maybe get the team back to the promised land.
What are your thoughts, not only of the above numbers, but also your confidence level heading into the 2019 season? Let us know in the comment section below!
Do you want to be a part of the BTSC Steelers FanPulse? It is easy to sign up for, and takes mere minutes a week. Simply click HERE and fill out the appropriate information!