OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Ploff wins?!? Fire Tomlin

[bigdaddyk88]

Mmm I wouldn’t be so sure on that. I don’t think he’ll get a big contract but I would not be surprised if they sign him to a cheap extension.

They also knew (or should have known) that he couldn’t play man to man or tackle when they traded for him.

I honestly think they just wanted to get rid of DJ and not pay his bonus. They needed a higher floor Levi Wallace replacement and Jackson took a pay cut and was getting cut from Carolina

 

[Peat]

Mmm I wouldn’t be so sure on that. I don’t think he’ll get a big contract but I would not be surprised if they sign him to a cheap extension.

They also knew (or should have known) that he couldn’t play man to man or tackle when they traded for him.

Yeah. If they don't go big in FA on CB, Jackson as their band aid prior to the draft makes a bunch of sense for them.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Yeah. If they don't go big in FA on CB, Jackson as their band aid prior to the draft makes a bunch of sense for them.

No it doesn’t. Jackson was a stop gap for cheap he made 6 million this season 2 million less than wallace did here he will be 30 next season

 

[JTG]

I do wonder if Pickens is worth a 2nd...would a team give a 1st in 2026? I'm torn on which one I'd rather have.

 

[Peat]

No it doesn’t. Jackson was a stop gap for cheap he made 6 million this season 2 million less than wallace did here he will be 30 next season

So if they used him as a stop gap once, why not again?

 

[Empoleon8771]

I do wonder if Pickens is worth a 2nd...would a team give a 1st in 2026? I'm torn on which one I'd rather have.

If you're trading Pickens, you need a replacement WR far too much to justify pushing that pick back to 2026.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

So if they used him as a stop gap once, why not again?

Because he struggled with a back injury you can actually shop in the big isle in free agency and you know Trice is a decent stop gap
They have to spend a ton of money this season should see 6 new starters minimum this free agent cycle

 

[pistolpete11]

I do wonder if Pickens is worth a 2nd...would a team give a 1st in 2026? I'm torn on which one I'd rather have.

If available, I'm taking the 2026 1st, easily.

Sign Adams and draft a WR in R1 this year.

Just because a team thinks they'll be good doesn't mean they will be good. That 1st could turn into their QB of the future. Or they could use it to move up to get that guy.

 

[JTG]

If available, I'm taking the 2026 1st, easily.

Sign Adams and draft a WR in R1 this year.

Just because a team thinks they'll be good doesn't mean they will be good. That 1st could turn into their QB of the future. Or they could use it to move up to get that guy.

I would actually defer any pick we trade for. This team isn't a pick or two away from a Super Bowl, I don't think. If we can get picks in 2026 and 2027, if those classes are actually as good as they appear as a fan, you want to have the ability to maneuver in those drafts to potentially get your guy. If you can get your guy without moving around...you just build depth or parlay picks to years down the line.

Pittsburgh front office and coaches have the ability to play a long game. No other staff can do that.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

If available, I'm taking the 2026 1st, easily.

Sign Adams and draft a WR in R1 this year.

Just because a team thinks they'll be good doesn't mean they will be good. That 1st could turn into their QB of the future. Or they could use it to move up to get that guy.

I don’t think anyone is offering a 1st for Gp. I also don’t think they trade him

 

[xlm34]

If you're trading Pickens, you need a replacement WR far too much to justify pushing that pick back to 2026.

It would take splashing a bit of cash but you could go with something like:

Adams/Godwin
Slayton
Austin
Wilson
Round 3/Day 3 pick

That’s not incredible or anything but it’s an improvement over this past year and should be a good enough supporting cast if Fields is the QB where you aren’t using it as an excuse if he doesn’t play well.

Pretty much every move they make from this point on should be geared toward how do we get a QB. And if that means some short term discomfort, then so be it.

 

[Peat]

If you're trading Pickens, you need a replacement WR far too much to justify pushing that pick back to 2026.

If they're willing to prioritise it, they do a lot for the WR room while losing Pickens and never using a return there this year. The money and picks are there. Somewhere else might go a little hungry but they're not short of resources.

Also, and I know I'm getting away from team philosophy a bit, but why do they need, well, anything when they're not a contender and a QB away from even considering it? They can live with holes now as long as they're getting stronger for the day they have that foundational piece, and a 2026 1st makes that foundational piece easier.

Not that I'm expecting to get a 2nd or '26 1st for Pickens. His reputation is poisonous, his production isn't incredible, and he needs paying before he plays a single down of football for his new team. That does not spell good trade value.

Because he struggled with a back injury you can actually shop in the big isle in free agency and you know Trice is a decent stop gap
They have to spend a ton of money this season should see 6 new starters minimum this free agent cycle

Are they going to do those things though?

 

[pistolpete11]

Pittsburgh front office and coaches have the ability to play a long game. No other staff can do that.

Not true! NHALS is on the line!!1

I don’t think anyone is offering a 1st for Gp. I also don’t think they trade him

I don't think so, but a future 1st seems slightly more possible than a 1st this year.

 

[Wattsburgh]

Justin Fields will be the starter. So I’d definitely use a pick on a WR and sign one of Higgins or Godwin.

George Pickens
Tee Higgins
Roman Wilson
Emeka Egbuka

This group allows Fields to run which is what this league has turned into (running QBs).

 

[Empoleon8771]

It would take splashing a bit of cash but you could go with something like:

Adams/Godwin
Slayton
Austin
Wilson
Round 3/Day 3 pick

That’s not incredible or anything but it’s an improvement over this past year and should be a good enough supporting cast if Fields is the QB where you aren’t using it as an excuse if he doesn’t play well.

Pretty much every move they make from this point on should be geared toward how do we get a QB. And if that means some short term discomfort, then so be it.

That WR group will get old and need to be replaced super quickly. Godwin and Adams are already over 30 and Slayton is 28.

They really need to stop neglecting the WR position, it has been causing them massive problems for years. Not having any WRs means teams won't respect their passing game and can focus in more on the run.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Justin Fields will be the starter. So I’d definitely use a pick on a WR and sign one of Higgins or Godwin.

George Pickens
Tee Higgins
Roman Wilson
Emeka Egbuka

This group allows Fields to run which is what this league has turned into (running QBs).

I don’t think they are going to let Fields throw enough to justify signing a free agent and drafting a wr 1. Hurts averages 27 attempts a game

Not true! NHALS is on the line!!1

I don't think so, but a future 1st seems slightly more possible than a 1st this year.

The last 1st for a wr was at the draft for AJ brown Tennessee hasn’t recovered yet

 

[Peat]

That WR group will get old and need to be replaced super quickly. Godwin and Adams are already over 30 and Slayton is 28.

They really need to stop neglecting the WR position, it has been causing them massive problems for years. Not having any WRs means teams won't respect their passing game and can focus in more on the run.

But you can replace WR groups super quickly. I don't get why you're so dead set on they must try to get some WRs they can hopefully keep for the next 8-10 years. It's not necessary for their short term needs - any WRs who can give a good season or two keeps the wolf from the door - and long term, everything pales next to the lack of a franchise QB.

 

[xlm34]

That WR group will get old and need to be replaced super quickly. Godwin and Adams are already over 30 and Slayton is 28.

They really need to stop neglecting the WR position, it has been causing them massive problems for years. Not having any WRs means teams won't respect their passing game and can focus in more on the run.

I think it’s kind of a moot point because I don’t think Pickens has all that much value but if you can use him to help get a QB you do it 100 times out of 100 and figure out the rest. Nothing really matters without a QB. You can get a good WR every year whether it’s the draft or in a trade. Same can’t be said for a QB.

 

[JTG]

I do think Tee Higgins could be a great pickup with some meat left on the bone with his game.

 

[JTG]

Oh guys...Dan Campbell will have TWO coordinators be head coaches next year. We are still waiting for Tomlin's first ever with Artie.

 

[nsvoyageurs]

I do wonder if Pickens is worth a 2nd...would a team give a 1st in 2026? I'm torn on which one I'd rather have.

Get a 1st in 2026.

 

[lastcupever75]

ehh, there's like zero chance higgins chooses to sign with us. our passing offense is not nfl quality

 

[JTG]

 

[MrBrightside]

Dulac is planting way too many of these seeds that Fields is going to be the guy. He's clearly being fed this by the organization - biggest sign there is that it's going to be Fields.

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2025/01/20/justin-fields-russell-wilson-mason-rudolph-nfl-free-agency-draft/stories/202501200060

 

[bigdaddyk88]

ehh, there's like zero chance higgins chooses to sign with us. our passing offense is not nfl quality

Most of the teams who are interested in Higgins have bad o line and don’t have great passing games either

Get a 1st in 2026.

No one is giving up a 1st.