2003 Pittsburgh Steelers Season

Season Summary: Hopes were high after the wild 2002 ride, but 2003 quickly soured. Pittsburgh tried to ride Tommy Maddox and the passing game and abandoned the run-first identity that had defined the team for decades. The result was an offense that put up yards but not wins, and a defense that was repeatedly hung out to dry.

Maddox threw for 3,400 yards and Ward had another Pro Bowl season, but the turnovers piled up and the run game collapsed. The Bus battled injuries and averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, and the line couldn't open holes.

The defense, once feared, gave up too many big plays and couldn't close out games. It was a season of frustration that exposed the cracks in the roster and set the stage for sweeping changes, including drafting a future Hall of Fame QB the following spring.