OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: No 3peat for the Swifts

[bigdaddyk88]

source?

My bad it wasn’t Metcalf it was the other DK and Aditi

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I think the money is definitely there if they want, although I don’t think a Pickens extension is in the cards. I don’t know what the structure of Metcalf’s deal is, but the cap hits for him and a Watt extension should be reasonable for a couple years.

I fully expect a tag for GP like Higgins but if they were willing to extend Aiyuk and still pay Gp reportedly

 

[Peat]

Well dang. Certainly can't accuse Khan of always being cheap now.

I wouldn't have picked Metcalf as he was the bigger, more proven, not all that less sulky version of Pickens, but he's definitely quality. It's a tad expensive for his recent work, particularly when you include the lack of cap savings that comes from the lack of 2nd rounder, but hey, that's what happens when the cap goes bananas.

Minor hidden benefit of the trade is it makes comp picks more likely. Guess we'll see how it plays out but

a) To me this keeps Pickens' status up in the air. I know they can afford both but given the trouble he brings, it might well tempt the org to "we replaced you so we won't tolerate you". Not like there aren't ways to find another high end WR if you're waving around a stack of money.

b) I think it makes drafting a QB this year less likely as they've got one less pick for other needs, but maybe that's hope as I'm still buying into the consensus that this year's QB draft smells of cat piss

 

[lastcupever75]

I think if they can get a 2nd for pickens, they'll trade him. coming into the last year of his rookie deal, he's going to want an extension. i don't see them paying big money for 2 WRs. and he'll probably sulk if he doesn't get re upped.

I can see them going after a tier 2/tier 3 free agent with a more professional attitude to line up opposite DK. someone who wont complain about getting enough targets.
someone like a slayton, nick westbook or....wait for it.... Tyler boyd lol. i'm shocked we haven't heard his name rumored to the steelers like it does every year.

this would all be moot if tomlin didn't see his younger self in roman wison and they instead drafted Jalen Mcmillan last year.

 

[Peat]

Definitely possible.. but I feel like then you are looking to fill the same hole that plagued them last season.

Idk. I’m usually not so sullen immediately but I feel like this shows that the team truly likes where they are at as a org - despite having no franchise QB or proven infrastructure to elevate talent.

I don’t clown on this trade if it’s the Eagles or Belichick/Brady or Chiefs or even McConnell’s Vikings. But us? Don’t feel like this is the move.

Hope I’m wrong.

So I feel a lot of this.

But at the same time, I believe the best thing for a so-so team that wants to become is to stay as close to the pack as possible while maintaining the ability to get that one special QB if he's there. That's what Buffalo and Kansas did, and to a certain extent SF (and Baltimore if we treat them as crop of the crop), and it's what Phillie did except instead of a special QB they just accumulated so much talent sticking close that they became that team.

So getting Metcalf is fine by me. Hopefully the franchise QB comes in 2026. If not, well, stay close and hope.

I'd also add that it's hopefully a bit kill or cure on Tomlin. Either this, along with other moves, gives him enough talent to get out of purgatory, or the added expectations that come with this finally get him if it's not enough. And it only costs a 2nd.

p.s. I would add that, injury aside, I wish they'd have given 30m to Aiyuk instead as I think he's a more complete WR, but such is life.

 

[Ulf5]

This says $18 million cap hit for this season.

D.K. Metcalf | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

D.K. Metcalf signed a 4 year, $132,000,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including an average annual salary of $33,000,000. In 2025, Metcalf will earn a base salary of $18,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $18,000,000.

www.spotrac.com

 

[John Price]

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I think if they can get a 2nd for pickens, they'll trade him. coming into the last year of his rookie deal, he's going to want an extension. i don't see them paying big money for 2 WRs. and he'll probably sulk if he doesn't get re upped.

I can see them going after a tier 2/tier 3 free agent with a more professional attitude to line up opposite DK. someone who wont complain about getting enough targets.
someone like a slayton, nick westbook or....wait for it.... Tyler boyd lol. i'm shocked we haven't heard his name rumored to the steelers like it does every year.

this would all be moot if tomlin didn't see his younger self in roman wison and they instead drafted Jalen Mcmillan last year.

I don’t understand this notion that they aren’t going to pay big money for 2 wr. They aren’t spending money on anything else on offense. The line will be all on a rookie contract once Issac walks. Cam is done in 2 years. They will have a rookie qb starting in 26. There was reports last season the locker room doesn’t want Boyd because of the things he said as a bengal.
It’s different than the bengals paying 40 million to chase and 30 million to Higgins plus Burrow

 

[Empoleon8771]

Please no Rodgers, literally anyone but Aaron Rodgers.

Dude is even more washed up than Russ is. If you want to go with an ancient QB, just stick with Wilson. The sole reason I’d even consider Rodgers is if he’s signing for vet minimum, just like Wilson last year.

 

[xlm34]

Meh if it comes down to them having to choose between Rodgers or Wilson, I don’t really care who they go with. Both are washed and total weirdos. Whichever one is cheaper I guess.

 

[MrBrightside]

God I hope the Wilson thing is just Rodgers’ agent trying to create the perception of interest. That would be awful.

 

[Snooki Stackhouse]

I don’t understand this notion that they aren’t going to pay big money for 2 wr. They aren’t spending money on anything else on offense. The line will be all on a rookie contract once Issac walks. Cam is done in 2 years. They will have a rookie qb starting in 26. There was reports last season the locker room doesn’t want Boyd because of the things he said as a bengal.
It’s different than the bengals paying 40 million to chase and 30 million to Higgins plus Burrow

I think the issue is that George and DK aren't really complementary to each other. They seem to fill the same type of role with similar issues and you ideally need another wideout with different skillset. When I saw the signing i viewed it as an opportunity to divest from a guy who has been a problem at times. At least that's my opinion and I guess we'll see this year.

 

[pistolpete11]

Holy smokes. I mean, I guess we knew DK was a possibility since he was available and the Steelers desperately needed a WR. Just never thought they'd actually pony up for him based on the Aiyuk situation....and the entire existence of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. I guess these aren't your granddad's Steelers anymore.

First thought after getting over the shock was "What does this mean for Pickens?" On one hand, 2 big, physical, big play, outside WR is very attractive to me. It's what I envisioned when they traded for Williams, which I was onboard with, but obviously a much better version of it. Plus they'll probably use DK more than Williams . I get the concerns about them maybe being too similar, but I think it can work. Both will require a lot of attention which should open things up underneath for the RB's, Muth, and when they do use 3 WR, Austin/Wilson.

On the other hand, they are too similar in terms of personality Maybe they will be able to generate a healthy competition, but it could also get ugly very quickly. Would not be surprised if they can land another WR in FA for them to trade Pickens to recoup that pick and be done with him before it's too late.

 

[pistolpete11]

Please no Rodgers, literally anyone but Aaron Rodgers.

Dude is even more washed up than Russ is. If you want to go with an ancient QB, just stick with Wilson. The sole reason I’d even consider Rodgers is if he’s signing for vet minimum, just like Wilson last year.

Also somehow more unlikable than Wilson, too.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Steelers get hassled for a weak WR room last year, they only have one guy. Khan dropped the ball.

Team trades for a WR.

Let's trade the one we had last year!

 

[Pens x]

Good on Khan for FINALLY addressing the WR room.