After the 2021 NFL Draft, fans see the Steelers heading in the right direction

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 NFL Draft is in the books, and the organization is now turning their attention to the NFL schedule being released this week, and the upcoming 2021 regular season.

However, following the draft it is always a good time to get a feel for what the fan base is thinking/feeling about the team, not just the draft class, heading into the new year. How confidence are they in the Steelers? Are they headed in the right direction?

To give some perspective, last season SB Nation polled Steelers fans throughout the season, from the NFL Draft on, and gauged whether fans were confident in the direction of the team. Here are the numbers following each week/event:

Post 2020 NFL Draft: 81%
Heading into Week 1: 90%
Heading into Week 2: 94%
Heading into Week 3: 87%
Heading into Week 4: 90%
Heading into Week 5: 83%
Heading into Week 6: 82%
Heading into Week 7: 97%
Heading into Week 8: 94%
Heading into Week 9: 98%
Heading into Week 10: 88%
Heading into Week 11: 95%
Heading into Week 12: 96%
Heading into Week 13: 97%
Heading into Week 14: 52%
Heading into Week 15: 24%
Heading into Week 16: 17%
Heading into Week 17: 56%
Heading into the Wild Card Round: 76%
Heading into the offseason: 14%

Looking at the last number above, after the Cleveland Browns playoff debacle at Heinz Field, it was fair to expect a similar number to start the 2021 season. However, after the NFL Reacts poll went out to fans the number was much higher than most might have expected. In fact, the number almost mirrored the confidence level of the fan base after Week 17 last season as the team prepared for the playoffs.

Check out the graphic below:

It is worth sharing how not all Steelers fans are polled in the aforementioned survey, but it does give a relatively realistic number on where the fan base sees the Steelers’ overall direction.

What do you think? Do you agree with the 75% number, or do you think this is inflated? Or maybe you are optimistic and think the 75% is too low? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the upcoming 2021 regular season.