There is one question that lingers in the minds of old-time Pittsburgh fans. How good the Steelers could have been had they drafted native son Dan Marino in the 1983 draft. Marino grew up in Steel City and stayed in town to play for the Pitt Panthers in college. When the draft came rolling around, it was assumed that the Steelers were searching for someone who could take Terry Bradshaw’s baton forth. Marino was there for Pittsburgh at pick No. 21. The stage was set for the next big player for the franchise. Instead, shockingly, the Steelers opted for Texas Tech defensive lineman Gabe Rivera from Texas Tech and kept faith with Bradshaw, who only played one more game for the Steelers again.

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. As for Marino, instead of suiting up in black and gold, he took his golden arm to Miami, where he rewrote record books but never got his ring.

Yet speaking last year, he was satisfied with how things went. In fact, he said it was the right thing for him that the Steelers didn’t pick him in that draft. “I thought about it many times during my career,” Marino told Pat McAfee. “I think at the time, though, it probably was the best thing to happen to me. Because I played four years of high school right there at Central Catholic, then I played at Pitt right there in Oakland. To leave, I think, made me mature a lot quicker. And (it) made me able to play a lot quicker than maybe if I would’ve stayed in Pittsburgh. But it would’ve been fun. It would’ve been a lot of fun.” However, there is one regret he has.

On Tuesday, Marino appeared on the Not Just Football podcast and was asked how different his career would’ve been had he been picked by the Steelers. “Well, looking back at their teams, I’d probably have won a couple Super Bowls. I really do, because of the defense they had.”

One of the hallmarks of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1980s was their packed defense. Led by iconic players such as Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, and Mel Blount, the Steel Curtain defense was dominant and earned the reputation as one of the most formidable defensive units in NFL history. However, they were handicapped due to the absence of a top quarterback. Pittsburgh’s quarterback room post-Bradshaw was like a game of musical chairs—with the music always stopping at the wrong time.

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.

In 2000, when he had a shot to come home and play out his final season with the Steelers, he passed. After the Dolphins declined to re-sign him in 2000, Marino was free to sign with other teams, and a return to Pittsburgh was on the table.

“I had offers to go play other places and really thought about it. Maybe would’ve had a chance to win a championship like Matthew (Stafford) has done and other guys are trying to do in other places. After I thought about it for a long time, it just didn’t feel right. So I just decided I’ll just be a Dolphin for life. It worked out great, but I will tell you that I did think about that, yes,” he revealed to USA Today in an interview in 2022.

There was interest from the Steelers in getting Marino as a possible replacement for starting QB Kordell Stewart, but they moved on quickly after it appeared that they wouldn’t have their man. They signed Kent Graham on a three-year $5.1 million deal on February 28, 2000. But it remains one of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history.

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. That 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 was 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.

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, and 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.

Dolphins had a forgettable 6-10 finish, missing the playoffs yet again, but 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—he could sling it and sling it very well. In 18 playoff games, he had 4,510 yards and 32 touchdowns. Sure, the Super Bowl eluded him but Marino’s impact was unquestionable. He made football feel electric. And that, my friends, is something stats just can’t measure.