OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Congrats to KC, but Kelce was the real winner winning Swift

[Peat]

All of those guys were on rebuilding teams, not playoff teams. I sincerely cannot recall a playoff caliber NFL team dumping one of their key starters because he was heading into his UFA season just to sustain roster continuity. That's a Pirates move, not something that occurs in the NFL. The only remote comp I can think of is KC and Tyreek, but that was more of a salary cap consideration than it was to "get younger." The Claypoole situation was nothing like this - he was their 4th WR on a team that was like 2-6, not a team coming off a playoff berth who theoretically plans to compete for it in 2024 and who needs to support their QB in a make or break year. Johnson is what he is, but trading him just doesn't make sense given where this team is and how many other needs they already have.

The only name on my list who wasn't on a playoff team when they got traded was Marquise Brown. Every other guy, their team made the playoffs before deciding to trade in the offseason. And the Ravens were probably the least rebuildy team of the whole lot.

Trading the guy worked for Kansas (I dunno who they even drafted but it worked), Baltimore (drafted Lindebaum and back in playoffs), Green Bay (Quay Walker is only decent but they're back in the playoffs after a year out), and Minnesota (Jefferson for Diggs is a win even if the team has hit the playoffs only once since trading Diggs). Titans are the only one where it's been a giant miss. Ignore Kirk and Arizona, he was a free agent and not a trade.

The more I look at this, the more I see that trading out a highly touted WR for a good pick is a playoff team is fairly normal and rarely goes awfully.

But beyond what does happen, lets talk what should happen.

The Steelers are about as bad as a playoff calibre team can be. If they look at themselves and think they're win now rather than still rebuilding, they are fooling themselves. They are a team who should be mindful of their tomorrow.

Diontae Johnson is either about to ask for a pay rise, or post a really awful season to torpedo that. He is a salary cap consideration.

He is also a play style consideration as we just got the OC who wants the most blocking from his WRs out there, and that's not Johnson. Add the two together and where's the future? This isn't about getting younger, it's about getting the right players in the right situations and avoiding cap complications and being a better team when the team might win.

I don't see why you wouldn't at least be tempted. In particular, I'd have thought you being very low on Pickett means you'd be all up for this. Who cares about giving him a difficult last season if he's going to fail when it makes a stronger season for whoever comes next?

We'll see. He has already expressed his opinion through instagram that Rudolph should be the quarterback next year. He is unlikely to get Rudolph and more likely to get Pickett.

I hope he keeps his brain on the rails, but I've seen a guy who gives moody teenager vibes.

Either Pickett's going to let them feed and all will be forgotten, or he won't and we'll have bigger problems.

I'd agree he's 100% not a mature dude, but I just don't see it being a problem when things are going well. And I am very up for taking some risks that might backfire if things go badly.

 

[ChaosAgent]

Either Pickett's going to let them feed and all will be forgotten, or he won't and we'll have bigger problems.

I'd agree he's 100% not a mature dude, but I just don't see it being a problem when things are going well. And I am very up for taking some risks that might backfire if things go badly.

I guess it isn't end of the world if we tank/Kenny fails next year. Pickens would retain his value, we could just as easily move him for a 2025 1st mid-next year. Receivers are relatively plug and play so a contender may trade a 1st for Pickens. From what I remember, not that long ago Amare Cooper got a 1st midseason.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Maybe they should. Trading Claypool wasn't super usual but it's worked out amazing. They wouldn't be the first team to trade a WR that wants more money than they want to pay on the next contract either. Adams, Hill, Brown, Kirk, Diggs, other Brown... it happens.

As for the rest of it.

It's likely to find someone decent who might be good. It's not likely to find Diontae Johnson right off the bat. That's the appeal for other teams.

The appeal for us... I just dunno the team are going to use him right. He doesn't fit the Arthur Smith model. He'd not a big quick guy who can high point and block. Smith has used smaller receivers before but it's not his favoured. I can't see them resigning him. There's also the possibility he gets bolshy about playing on an expiring contract.

And while I wouldn't go so far to call him a cancer, I think this team does need a culture reset and trading him is one of the obvious levers. It's been rough sledding for the WRs with everything going on, but maybe having a new high profile guy there who doesn't have a recent history of pouting with the team would help usher in a new era.

They only person who can reset the culture is 8.

 

[Harvey Birdman]

They only person who can reset the culture is 8.

I don’t think there is any resetting this culture with this roster. I hope I’m wrong. I 100% hope I’m wrong. But unless we inject a core dude by trade, signing, or draft that comes in and flat out says the locker room is his because no one in here is a leader it’s just a room full of paper tigers that will always flap in the wind. I’ll say I hope I’m wrong but I 100% believe right now on this date the person that can turn that locker room around is currently not on the team in any respect.

 

[Peat]

They only person who can reset the culture is 8.

I mean big QB play will be key but I don't think they pursued Robinson in order for him to be an adult in that WR room because they thought that it was solely Pickett. Neither do I.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I mean big QB play will be key but I don't think they pursued Robinson in order for him to be an adult in that WR room because they thought that it was solely Pickett. Neither do I.

Yeah they needed a vet wr because the room was extremely young DJ was the only one who had any playing experience really. They also weren’t happy with the wr coach. DJ is the longest tenured offense player it’s his room

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I don’t think there is any resetting this culture with this roster. I hope I’m wrong. I 100% hope I’m wrong. But unless we inject a core dude by trade, signing, or draft that comes in and flat out says the locker room is his because no one in here is a leader it’s just a room full of paper tigers that will always flap in the wind. I’ll say I hope I’m wrong but I 100% believe right now on this date the person that can turn that locker room around is currently not on the team in any respect.

I agree this team needs more leaders, but Fitz is definitely one I suspect.

Fitz had enough of Johnson and was clearly being a leader when he confronted him, and it got bad enough that they had to be pulled apart by Watt and Heyward.

Report: Diontae Johnson, Minkah Fitzpatrick got into heated argument after Sunday's loss at Cleveland

Johnson argued with a member of coaching staff before getting into it with teammate.

www.nbcsports.com

This was after Jones had to pick up the little diva and carry him away from a member of the coaching staff that he was verbally assaulting:

Diontae Johnson had to be pulled away from a member of coaching staff on Sunday

Cracks sometimes move slowly.

www.nbcsports.com

I’m 100% sure Fitz was done with seeing this guy quit on his teammates, assault QBs and berate coaches.

That’s now two years in a row he’s caused massive issues and confrontations in the locker room.

This is exactly what team cancers do.

It will only get worse next season if things don’t go well for the little diva and he doesn’t have a new contract.

Imagine having this cancer in a struggling offense when he’s playing for a FA deal in the spring.

 

[Power Surge]

Coming from the guy who spends every waking second of his day bashing Mike Tomlin that’s pure gold. We know you’re not obsessed with Pickett. Everyone knows your true obsession is hating Mike Tomlin

So what? What had not been talked about was how he looked checked out on the side lines in Buffalo. I suppose since got his 9 wins, didn't want to really be out there in that cold or whatever windchill they had there.

Such a loooser

 

[TooManyHumans]

This team doesn't really need a full culture reset so much as it needs a QB. Give the team functional quarterbacking all of last year and they are fighting with the Ravens for the division. That said, I would definitely at least entertain trading DJ. Dude is at 6.8 Yards Per Target for his career. For as much as he gets open, he does remarkably little with his chances.

 

[MrBrightside]

It's truly amazing to me that people can simultaneously argue that Johnson is overrated and a complete locker room cancer who HAS to go before the season and that the Steelers can also acquire a top 50 pick in the NFL draft while convincing another team to take on said locker room cancer AND his $16 million contract going into a walk year. People really spend too much time thinking they can be NHL or NFL GM's because they totally kicked ass on Madden with trades on.

If Johnson really is this f'ing problematic and unproductive and overrated, they'll be fortunate to get anyone to take on the contract and be lucky to get a 3rd day pick. Maybe some are cool with dumping him just dump him, and that's one position to take. It's also insane to argue that he's bad, a cancer, and also will bring you a great draft asset in return. But maybe if I make all my sentences individual paragraphs that would make it more persuasive.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Gotta be pretty slow to make make an argument a locker room issue guy with avg production can’t be traded for a high pick when it literally just happened with Claypool.

Report: Chase Claypool Deemed 'Distraction' In Locker Room, Trade Had Been On Table For Weeks

We’re getting new information on what led to Pittsburgh Steelers’ WR Chase Claypool being shipped to Chicago. On the surface, the deal may feel like a surprise with recent reports adamant the team wanted to hold onto him. But Josina Anderson offers a different angle, noting a disgruntled...

steelersdepot.com

Guess all that KP obsessive hating warps one’s mind so badly that common sense can no longer prevail….?

 

[MrBrightside]

Gotta be pretty slow to make make an argument a locker room issue guy with avg production can’t be traded for a high pick when it literally just happened with Claypool.

Report: Chase Claypool Deemed 'Distraction' In Locker Room, Trade Had Been On Table For Weeks

We’re getting new information on what led to Pittsburgh Steelers’ WR Chase Claypool being shipped to Chicago. On the surface, the deal may feel like a surprise with recent reports adamant the team wanted to hold onto him. But Josina Anderson offers a different angle, noting a disgruntled...

steelersdepot.com

Guess all that KP obsessive hating warps one’s mind so badly that common sense can no longer prevail….?

Was Claypoole about to be a free agent? Did Claypoole attack someone as you say Johnson did? Was Claypoole making $16 million? Was Claypoole a cancer? Or are you just so unable to see shades of grey that you think all WR who aren’t happy are the same so the result will be the same? I’m assuming yes as the next time you offer a nuanced position will be the first.

You’re far more obsessed with Pickett than I am, man. You pull everything back to him even when it has nothing to do with him. I’m sure he appreciates your support.

I’m sure this jihad on which you’re engaging has nothing at all to do with Johnson saying he supported Rudolph instead of Pickett. Total coincidence.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Was Claypoole about to be a free agent? Did Claypoole attack someone as you say Johnson did? Was Claypoole making $16 million? Was Claypoole a cancer? Or are you just so unable to see shades of grey that you think all WR who aren’t happy are the same so the result will be the same? I’m assuming yes as the next time you offer a nuanced position will be the first.

You’re far more obsessed with Pickett than I am, man. You pull everything back to him even when it has nothing to do with him. I’m sure he appreciates your support.

Teams will always overlook personality issues if they think a guy can help them win, but your KP hate has fried your brain to think beyond anything involving how to hate on the dude.

Self awareness is an admirable trait you lack.

You pulled KP into this discussion, not me, because you have an unhealthy mental imbalance with cutting the guy up.

Own that or don’t, don’t really care. I’ll just pull up your post and enjoy watching you lie your way out of it.

Maybe you can get through a day without spewing stupid shit about KP today.

Maybe that eye twitching will stop to!

 

[MrBrightside]

Teams will always overlook personality issues if they think a guy can help them win, but your KP hate has fried your brain to think beyond anything involving how to hate on the dude.

Self awareness is an admirable trait you lack.

You pulled KP into this discussion, not me, because you have an unhealthy mental imbalance with cutting the guy up.

Own that or don’t, don’t really care. I’ll just pull up your post and enjoy watching you lie your way out of it.

Maybe you can get through a day without spewing stupid shit about KP today.

Maybe that eye twitching will stop to!

I said nothing about Pickett. Not a word. Even if i had, the fact that the guy who is a running joke on this board due to turning everything that’s ever happened into an excuse to bash Tomlin accuses someone else of being obsessed is pure gold. Hopefully some self-awareness will find its way to you.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I said nothing about Pickett. Not a word. Even if i had, the fact that the guy who is a running joke on this board due to turning everything that’s ever happened into an excuse to bash Tomlin accuses someone else of being obsessed is pure gold. Hopefully some self-awareness will find its way to you.

Who wrote this post and pulled KP into it?

Calling Johnson a "cancer" is a gross exaggeration. He's not even the most toxic WR on this roster. Everyone who is clamoring to trade him really needs to consider (a) what the offense and passing game was like when he was out in early 2023 and (b) what a mess the WR room would be if it's Pickens and a collection of unproven guys like Austin and rookie draft picks. But hey, I guess it would give the Pickett apologists another reason to make excuses for him: "We have to give him 2025 with some experienced WR who know the offense before we really know what we have!!!11!"

Funny when ppl lie and try to twist their way out of it.

Your KP obsession is unhealthy and you look mentally unbalanced every time you pull him into discussions for no reason but to dump on him.

And ya the whole “I called out Tomlin and been right about him the last seven years” isn’t really having the effect you think it is.

No one takes a mentally imbalanced KP mouth breather seriously.

 

[MrBrightside]

Who wrote this post and pulled KP into it?



Funny when ppl lie and try to twist their way out of it.

Your KP obsession is unhealthy and you look mentally unbalanced every time you pull him into discussions for no reason but to dump on him.

And ya the whole “I called out Tomlin and been right about him the last seven years” isn’t really having the effect you think it is.

No one takes a mentally imbalanced KP mouth breather seriously.

If you took me seriously I’d be concerned. You can have the last word man. H2P and F**** Tomlin. Rinse and repeat. And ignore.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Claypool cap hit under 3 million had 2 years before he got to fa
Dj is a a 16 million dollar rental

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

If you took me seriously I’d be concerned. You can have the last word man. H2P and F**** Tomlin. Rinse and repeat. And ignore.

Caught in a lie, deflects and doesn’t own it.

My shocked face.

Run on to Twitter now Sparky, missing out on all that good KP bashing that will keep that mental imbalance strong.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Claypool cap hit under 3 million had 2 years before he got to fa
Dj is a a 16 million dollar rental

DJ would be a 10mil rental. His cap hit for the Steelers is 15.833mil, and 5.833mil of that is prorated signing bonus.

Thus he would be a 10mil cap hit for anybody else. That being said, any team that trades for him would probably want to sign him to a new contract.

 

[MrBrightside]

DJ would be a 10mil rental. His cap hit for the Steelers is 15.833mil, and 5.833mil of that is prorated signing bonus.

Thus he would be a 10mil cap hit for anybody else. That being said, any team that trades for him would probably want to sign him to a new contract.

So if the Steelers trade him they get the dead cap hit or no?

 

[Peat]

DJ would be a 10mil rental. His cap hit for the Steelers is 15.833mil, and 5.833mil of that is prorated signing bonus.

Thus he would be a 10mil cap hit for anybody else. That being said, any team that trades for him would probably want to sign him to a new contract.

Yeah. Any team trading for him presumably wants him to stick around.

So if the Steelers trade him they get the dead cap hit or no?

Dead cap hit of 5.833m, 10m cap freed up.

 

[WickedWrister]

The combine is here fellas. Rumor and hype szn is underway.

Wouldn't be shocked if JJ McCarthy starts getting even more hype than he already has. He's going to look good throwing in shorts.

Tyler Guyton is another guy I've been seeing us take in mocks. 6'7" 328 OT and he should do well in the athletic testing. Fuaga, Latham, Mims, Fautanu, Powers-Johnson all in the mix at OL with our 1st round pick. Bunch of corners to keep an eye on as well.

Pavelle: 2024 Mock Draft 3.0

This will be my last mock until we’ve seen both the NFL Scouting Combine and the first wave of free agency, which means it’s also the last time I will need to waste space on… Assumptions About Free Agency OT – Chuks Okorafor will be replaced by an experienced swing tackle such as the Raiders’ […]

steelersdepot.com

 

[MrBrightside]

Yeah. Any team trading for him presumably wants him to stick around.



Dead cap hit of 5.833m, 10m cap freed up.

So basically you’d have to sign someone at $10m or less and get equivalent production to break even, an unlikely proposition. You’d thus really need the trade asset to be significant enough to compensate.

 

[Factorial]

I read somewhere that DJ could hold out in camp for a new contract.

 

[Rossi Rat]

https://x.com/markmaddenx/status/1761898419558265134?s=46&t=fPqjFuG2GhqaQuPKHlWV6Q