You ever look at an old yearbook photo and wonder, What could have been? That’s basically every Steelers fan when they think about Dan Marino. Pittsburgh’s own, a kid who grew up throwing passes in the shadow of the Steel City, and the Steelers—his hometown team—just let him walk in the 1983 draft. They were trying to search for someone who could take Terry Bradshaw‘s baton forth. But this story didn’t complete.
Instead of suiting up in black and gold, Marino took his golden arm to Miami, where he rewrote record books but never got his ring. And now? He’s got something to say about it.
“Well, looking back at their teams, I’d probably have won a couple Super Bowls. I really do, because of the defense they had,” Marino said on the Not Just Football podcast. And, honestly, he’s got a point. That Steelers defense in the ‘80s and ‘90s? Built to win. Their quarterbacks? Let’s just say Pittsburgh’s quarterback room post-Bradshaw was like a game of musical chairs—with the music always stopping at the wrong time.
But why did the Steelers pass on Marino? Good question. Head coach Chuck Noll wanted to rebuild the Steel Curtain and went with defensive tackle Gabe Rivera instead. No knock on Rivera—he was talented—but tragedy struck when he was paralyzed in a car accident during his rookie season. That left the Steelers in quarterback purgatory, while Marino was lighting up defenses in Miami.
To add salt to the wound, Marino didn’t just play well—he torched the Steelers in big moments. Remember the 1984 AFC Championship Game? The one where he threw for 421 yards and four touchdowns against a defense that still had some ‘70s legends hanging around? Yeah, that one. Marino didn’t just beat the Steelers; he made sure they felt it. And yet, despite all that, part of him still wonders what it would have been like to play at home.
But here’s the kicker—Marino also believes that not getting drafted by Pittsburgh was the best thing that ever happened to him. “I thought about it many times during my career,” he said on the Pat McAfee Show. “But I think at the time, it’s probably the best thing that happened to me.” He knew staying in Pittsburgh meant never stepping out of the shadow of his high school and college days. Leaving forced him to grow, adapt, and, well, become Dan Marino.
17 seasons
61,361 passing yards
420 TDs
13 3,000-yard seasons
9 Pro Bowls
1 legendary @ProFootballHOF QB
Happy Birthday, @DanMarino! pic.twitter.com/6MmWGo1Ez4
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) September 15, 2018
Yet, even in 2000, when he had a shot to come home and play out his final season with the Steelers, he passed. The nostalgia was there, but it just didn’t feel right. “Maybe I would’ve had a chance to win a championship,” Marino admitted, “but after I thought about it, it just didn’t feel right. So I just decided I’ll just be a Dolphin for life.”
So, Steelers fans, here’s the big question: Would Marino have brought more Lombardis to Pittsburgh? Given the defense, the culture, and the sheer talent he had? Probably. But the reality is, we’ll never know. The Steelers had their shot, and they let the hometown kid go. And if you ask Marino, he’s fine with it. Doesn’t mean Steelers fans are, though.
Dan Marino: A record-setter Dolphin
October 23, 1988. The Dolphins and Jets. A fiery rivalry saw a firework masterpiece. Dan Marino, the architect. The Miami legend threw for a mind-boggling 521 yards—the second-most passing yards in a single game at that time. Impressive? Absolutely. But here’s the kicker: the Phins still lost, 44-30. Tough break, huh?
Norm Van Brocklin’s record of 554 yards, set in 1951, still stood tall. Marino’s feat was later surpassed by Warren Moon (527 yards) in 1990 and tied by Matt Schaub. And if you’re thinking, ‘Has anyone come close recently?’—Joe Burrow dropped 525 yards in 2021.
However, if you are a Dan stan, then don’t be disheartened. Let’s rewind to 1988, when Marino’s aerial assault was both historic and heartbreaking. Marino put on a show, completing 35 of 60 passes, tossing three touchdowns. But here’s where the script flipped—five interceptions. Ouch. The Jets’ D feasted on those mistakes, turning them into points. On the other side, Ken O’Brien had a modest 137 yards but three TDs, doing just enough to lead the Gang Green to victory.
Marino’s masterpiece? A little tainted by the loss. Football can be cruel like that.
The 1988 Dolphins? A forgettable 6-10 finish, missing the playoffs yet again. The silver lining? Miami’s offensive line only allowed seven sacks all season—an NFL record. Marino, despite the team’s struggles, still slung it. He finished with 4,434 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. Not his cleanest season, but Marino always found ways to light up defenses.
Marino played 242 regular season games, racking up 61,361 yards, 420 touchdowns, and 252 interceptions. His 86.4 passer rating might not scream “GOAT,” but the numbers don’t lie—this guy could sling it. Oh, and in 18 playoff games? 4,510 yards, 32 touchdowns. Sure, the Super Bowl eluded him (maybe he could have gotten hands on one in Pittsburgh), but Marino’s impact? Unquestionable. He made football feel electric. And that, my friends, is something stats just can’t measure.
The post Pittsburgh’s Son Dan Marino’s Surprising Message on Steelers Ignoring Him After Terry Bradshaw as Dolphins Legend Makes Bold Super Bowl Claim appeared first on EssentiallySports.
