OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Its January and we are still talking about Handball!?! Currently 10-6

[JTG]

I'm inclined to agree about what Pickens would bring back, if a team as starved for WR talent as the Steelers is looking to move him, it's just a dead giveaway there is some massive problem there.

I wouldn't even mind getting multiple mid round picks back. With the guys they have been pulling out of the 3rd and 4th rounds - landing a Payton Wilson and Nick Herbig level player for a Pickens is a no brainer.

I could also see a team that is a WR away to be fine giving a 1 for him because he will absolutely produce like a #1 WR. For a team like KC or Buffalo, it'd be a no brainer.

 

[Peat]

We need multi-emoji reacts for shit like this. Imagine I'm laughing, shocked, and angry all at once.

 

[JTG]

He’s a super fun college player but I don’t really get the idea of replacing Najee Harris with Skattebo. If people hate the way Harris plays, I can’t imagine them being all that happy with a slower version of him.

I like him as a player. I don't bet against dudes like him. He reminds me of Curtis Martin when he runs. I want a dynamic back. I want Fields to hand the ball off to a dude who could take it to the house at any given moment. If we take a back, I want the dude from Iowa. If Jeanty drops, I take him and don't think twice. This offense needs some pop in the worst possible way.

 

[Shockmaster]

It's beyond obvious this team needs a complete reboot (new coach, GM), but Art still thinks he's running an "elite" franchise, so he'll keep everything the same.

 

[T1K]

 

[Andy99]

If this is true, do it Art, you stupid owner lol

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"And one other coaching note - I think there will be teams out there that watch the way the Steelers season has ended and wonder whether they should call the Steelers to see if they should inquire about whether the Steelers would be willing to move on from Mike Tomlin and move him to another organization." Schefter said.

 

[JTG]

If this is true, do it Art, you stupid owner lol

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"And one other coaching note - I think there will be teams out there that watch the way the Steelers season has ended and wonder whether they should call the Steelers to see if they should inquire about whether the Steelers would be willing to move on from Mike Tomlin and move him to another organization." Schefter said.

He just signed him to a contract. He isn't going anywhere.

 

[JTG]

It's beyond obvious this team needs a complete reboot (new coach, GM), but Art still thinks he's running an "elite" franchise, so he'll keep everything the same.

It doesn't need a complete reboot. It needs a new look on the field. They are pulling outstanding players in the draft.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I like him as a player. I don't bet against dudes like him. He reminds me of Curtis Martin when he runs. I want a dynamic back. I want Fields to hand the ball off to a dude who could take it to the house at any given moment. If we take a back, I want the dude from Iowa. If Jeanty drops, I take him and don't think twice. This offense needs some pop in the worst possible way.

Yeah we need speed not a poor mans Peyton Hills.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

Tomlin’s only leaving if he retires

 

[Shockmaster]

If this is true, do it Art, you stupid owner lol

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"And one other coaching note - I think there will be teams out there that watch the way the Steelers season has ended and wonder whether they should call the Steelers to see if they should inquire about whether the Steelers would be willing to move on from Mike Tomlin and move him to another organization." Schefter said.

Being able to ditch Tomlin and get assets from other teams in return is a no-brainer, but since granddaddy wouldn't have done it in the 1970's Art won't do it.

 

[Snooki Stackhouse]

I like him as a player. I don't bet against dudes like him. He reminds me of Curtis Martin when he runs. I want a dynamic back. I want Fields to hand the ball off to a dude who could take it to the house at any given moment. If we take a back, I want the dude from Iowa. If Jeanty drops, I take him and don't think twice. This offense needs some pop in the worst possible way.

I just don't see him dropping to the 20s and I don't want to move up with the talent at RB that will be available in the third. But yeah, Jeanty would be a pipe dream and then WR in the 2nd would be amazing. I just think they need to hit on their WR this year because the 2026 class looks subpar and Pickens is a headcase, so taking a RB early isn't ideal, but Jeanty is probaby worth it if he's there.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

I still wouldn’t take Jeanty. He is a luxury and this season the RB class is deep and they need other players at more critical positions.

 

[NewAgeOutlaw]

Literally the only time the Steelers passing game hasn't been terrible was when they had a HOF qb in his prime with AB/Bell/an elite offensive line/Wheaton/Sanders... as weapons.

It is pure cope to believe they can once again restructure the QB room and have anything change. Tomlin is a rotten offensive coach and he is either unable or unwilling to hire a coordinator who can offset his limitations.

The line sucks, they have 1 good receiver and he is an inconsistent diva, and the running game the offense is based around sucks. The Steelers are well on their way to having a Browns-level revolving door at qb unless they can find the next Tom Brady somewhere.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Literally the only time the Steelers passing game hasn't been terrible was when they had a HOF qb in his prime with AB/Bell/an elite offensive line/Wheaton/Sanders... as weapons.

It is pure cope to believe they can once again restructure the QB room and have anything change. Tomlin is a rotten offensive coach and he is either unable or unwilling to hire a coordinator who can offset his limitations.

The line sucks, they have 1 good receiver and he is an inconsistent diva, and the running game the offense is based around sucks. The Steelers are well on their way to having a Browns-level revolving door at qb unless they can find the next Tom Brady somewhere.

Yeah this is why I find the "I'll be mad if they re-sign Wilson" posts bizarre. Wilson is a perfectly serviceable starting QB, nothing more. To complain that he can't make this shitshow offense work and somehow another QB would is completely silly. Wilson isn't a long-term solution for the QB spot obviously but you're not pulling that off this off-season, moving on from Wilson is just going to result in a worse QB.

If the 2025 QB class didn't suck, maybe I'd have a different opinion, but re-signing Wilson and looking at the 2026 class (with the willingness to move up to get a QB) is the path forward I'd be taking.

 

[xlm34]

If Wilson comes back for cheap that’s fine. But signing him to a Baker Mayfield type of contract that people have thrown around a couple weeks ago would be a laughably bad decision unless he can go on a run in the playoffs.

I also don’t think the line will ever look “good” as long as he’s the starter.

 

[Peat]

The Steelers are well on their way to having a Browns-level revolving door at qb unless they can find the next Tom Brady somewhere.

5 starting QBs in 3 years post-Ben is Browns numbers for sure.



At this point I am neither for or against bringing Wilson back. He's simply one bidder among many and price is probably going to be more key than ability at this point.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Yeah this is why I find the "I'll be mad if they re-sign Wilson" posts bizarre. Wilson is a perfectly serviceable starting QB, nothing more. To complain that he can't make this shitshow offense work and somehow another QB would is completely silly. Wilson isn't a long-term solution for the QB spot obviously but you're not pulling that off this off-season, moving on from Wilson is just going to result in a worse QB.

If the 2025 QB class didn't suck, maybe I'd have a different opinion, but re-signing Wilson and looking at the 2026 class (with the willingness to move up to get a QB) is the path forward I'd be taking.

Wilson only has 1 play and its a moon ball down the sideline. If it’s not available he is dead in the water.

 

[Empoleon8771]

If Wilson comes back for cheap that’s fine. But signing him to a Baker Mayfield type of contract that people have thrown around a couple weeks ago would be a laughably bad decision unless he can go on a run in the playoffs.

I also don’t think the line will ever look “good” as long as he’s the starter.

In terms of PFF rankings, the Steelers OL ranked:

Moore: 67.2 rating, 45/138 T
Seumalo: 67.6 rating, 42/130 G
Frazier: 76.8 rating, 5/62 C
McCormick: 57.7 rating, 84/130 guards
Jones: 58.5 PFF rating, 88/138 T

It's basically a great C, a good left half of the line and a terrible right half of the line. I don't really think this OL should ever look anything more than "okay", the talent just isn't there.

They need to bring in a new RG, replace Jones with Fautanu and either re-sign Moore or find a new LT for me to think that this team can have more than an "okay" OL. Jones just isn't it and I'm inclined to view McCormick as just a backup.

Wilson only has 1 play and its a moon ball down the sideline. If it’s not available he is dead in the water.

And that one play let him put up the best passing season this team has had since pre-elbow injury Ben.

That's my point. It's not that Wilson is good, it's that there are no better alternatives. Who are you getting if you move on from him? I don't want him long-term, but keep him on a short term deal and draft a QB in 2026 is the obvious path forward.

I'd give Wilson a nice salary for next year, but I'm not going beyond year to year with him. Give him like a 1 year, $25 million deal and I'd be totally fine with just re-upping that as long as it makes sense.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

In terms of PFF rankings, the Steelers OL ranked:

Moore: 67.2 rating, 45/138 T
Seumalo: 67.6 rating, 42/130 G
Frazier: 76.8 rating, 5/62 C
McCormick: 57.7 rating, 84/130 guards
Jones: 58.5 PFF rating, 88/138 T

It's basically a great C, a good left half of the line and a terrible right half of the line. I don't really think this OL should ever look anything more than "okay", the talent just isn't there.

They need to bring in a new RG, replace Jones with Fautanu and either re-sign Moore or find a new LT for me to think that this team can have more than an "okay" OL. Jones just isn't it and I'm inclined to view McCormick as just a backup.



And that one play let him put up the best passing season this team has had since pre-elbow injury Ben.

That's my point. It's not that Wilson is good, it's that there are no better alternatives. Who are you getting if you move on from him? I don't want him long-term, but keep him on a short term deal and draft a QB in 2026 is the obvious path forward.

I'd give Wilson a nice salary for next year, but I'm not going beyond year to year with him. Give him like a 1 year, $25 million deal and I'd be totally fine with just re-upping that as long as it makes sense.

Give me fields at 2/24 like minshew than RW at anything. The money saved goes to Godwin or Higgins

 

[Empoleon8771]

Give me fields at 2/24 like minshew than RW at anything. The money saved goes to Godwin or Higgins

And Fields as a starter is a clear downgrade on Wilson as a starter.

Look I don't care if they go with Fields as a starter next year because they're not winning with either Fields or Wilson, but Wilson is clearly the best option they could sign for next year. Getting the actual long-term QB is going to have to be from the 2026 draft, if they intend on getting it as soon as possible.

 

[UnrealMachine]

Yeah this is why I find the "I'll be mad if they re-sign Wilson" posts bizarre. Wilson is a perfectly serviceable starting QB, nothing more. To complain that he can't make this shitshow offense work and somehow another QB would is completely silly. Wilson isn't a long-term solution for the QB spot obviously but you're not pulling that off this off-season, moving on from Wilson is just going to result in a worse QB.

If the 2025 QB class didn't suck, maybe I'd have a different opinion, but re-signing Wilson and looking at the 2026 class (with the willingness to move up to get a QB) is the path forward I'd be taking.

Wilson has been performing at a Kenny Pickett level the past 4 or 5 games. And half of his production during that time has been when the Steelers are down by 2 possessions while the defenses are backing off into a prevent mode. He just looks easily confused by the defenses and is taking extra time to process while not being able to identify an open lane/receiver. He of course does this standing flat-footed in the pocket with no awareness as to how the rush is developing. It’s a hard-to-watch 180 from where he was just a little over a month ago, and I can’t tell if he is genuinely cooked or other teams just figured him/Steelers out. The cookie cutter predictable play calling hasn’t exactly benefited him either.

 

[xlm34]

And Fields as a starter is a clear downgrade on Wilson as a starter.

Look I don't care if they go with Fields as a starter next year because they're not winning with either Fields or Wilson, but Wilson is clearly the best option they could sign for next year. Getting the actual long-term QB is going to have to be from the 2026 draft, if they intend on getting it as soon as possible.

I’m gonna at some point try to do a comparison of all their stats this year, but I think as a whole the numbers would say that’s it’s a lot closer between the two than people would think.

I know EPA and success rate favor Fields.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Wilson has been performing at a Kenny Pickett level the past 4 or 5 games. And half of his production during that time has been when the Steelers are down by 2 possessions while the defenses are backing off into a prevent mode. He just looks easily confused by the defenses and is taking extra time to process while not being able to identify an open lane/receiver. He of course does this standing flat-footed in the pocket with no awareness as to how the rush is developing. It’s a hard-to-watch 180 from where he was just a little over a month ago, and I can’t tell if he is genuinely cooked or other teams just figured him/Steelers out. The cookie cutter predictable play calling hasn’t exactly benefited him either.

This is exactly what happened in Denver. Hard knocks showed the ravens dc say RW is all deep ball and dump offs. He refuses to take the intermediate pass. He sucks at play action and he never looks left. He was the most sacked Qb in the nfl in Denver because he can’t maneuver around in the pocket and if his 1st read isn’t there he bails out. He could do that in Seattle but not anymore. He refuses to look left which Philly has noticed and why KC was able to pick him off and Reid could ignore GP

 

[cookthebooks]

i cant get over how badly the oline play disintegrated in the past month and a half