if Steelers had a QB they would now be at least the favorite to fight the Pats
that is just you buying some hype. Even with BR, there were going to be 4-5 other teams that were in play. That included the Colts before Luck retired...and the Jets before Darnold went out...and the Jags before Foles went down. It also included Chiefs/Chargers/Texans/Browns.
Think about it. The following teams are without their expected starter:
Colts, Jags, Steelers, Saints, Jets (Newton hobbled, but not out)
And now Giants shift away from Eli.