1991 Pittsburgh Steelers Season

Season Summary: The 1991 Steelers were caught between eras. The old guard was fading, the young core still forming, and Chuck Noll was quietly heading into his final campaign.

They opened the year with promise, sitting 4-3 behind a resurgent defense led by Rod Woodson, Greg Lloyd, and Hardy Nickerson. But the offense was a mess. Bubby Brister got hurt, Jeff Graham and Louis Lipps battled injuries, and the running game never found consistency. The cracks widened after midseason, as Pittsburgh dropped 6 of its last 7 games and finished near the bottom of the league on both offense and defense.

They finished a disappointing 7-9, missing the playoffs for the 6th time in 7 years. Days later, Noll announced his retirement after 23 seasons, 4 Super Bowls, and a dynasty that had redefined the NFL. It was Farewell to the Emperor... and the beginning of a new chapter in Pittsburgh.