Lots of dead weight to cut

[Edman]

They need to start looking at the Quarterback position or at least a capable vet backup to Pickett. I was hoping Mitch Trubisky would be a Charlie Batch-type, but he's not even that. He is simply not good.

Receiver leaves a lot to be desired. Diontae Johnson is not a #1 receiver. Look at Jordan Addison or someone in the draft.

The Left side of the line is not good. Kevin Dotson lets another Defender run free and costs our Quarterback yet again.

Need to look at the Defensive Line too. Alualu is washed and we need to stop the Robert Spillane experiment. He has heart, but he can't play.

James Pierre and Arthur Maulet are not NFL corners.

[DuckHodges]

Mason > Mitch, Mitch will wow you with his talent just enough to make you want to give him a chance, then quickly remind everyone why he was run out of Chicago

Harvin sucks, time to bring in some competition, his 17 yard punt basically gifted a TD drive to the ravens

[polamalubeast]

Lots of work to do but it doesn't matter if Khan, Tomlin, etc aren't aware of it...Steelers are at one loss away to have a losing season, so maybe that's what it takes to wake them up, since the steelers were also awful last year, but the 7 fourth quarter comeback by Ben put them to sleep, despite our blowout loss in KC in the playoffs

[EzraTank]

They need to start looking at the Quarterback position or at least a capable vet backup to Pickett. I was hoping Mitch Trubisky would be a Charlie Batch-type, but he's not even that. He is simply not good.

Receiver leaves a lot to be desired. Diontae Johnson is not a #1 receiver. Look at Jordan Addison or someone in the draft.

The Left side of the line is not good. Kevin Dotson lets another Defender run free and costs our Quarterback yet again.

Need to look at the Defensive Line too. Alualu is washed and we need to stop the Robert Spillane experiment. He has heart, but he can't play.

James Pierre and Arthur Maulet are not NFL corners.I said it a few weeks ago. They should have offered the Bears what the Ravens did to get Roquan Smith. Then they could have let Bush walk next year. Our inside linebackers are soft. Look at what Smith did today. He's everything we hoped Bush was going to be.

[Mojouw]

Jack is clearly playing hurt. I suspect that dodgy knee is going to need worked on soon.

Bush got hurt and was also just his usual self.

Spillane isn’t an NFL caliber defender.

This was all possible outcomes from Day 1. Why is everyone so surprised?

[polamalubeast]

Jack is clearly playing hurt. I suspect that dodgy knee is going to need worked on soon.

Bush got hurt and was also just his usual self.

Spillane isn’t an NFL caliber defender.

This was all possible outcomes from Day 1. Why is everyone so surprised?

The steelers are and this is the problem.....

[NCSteeler]

I said it a few weeks ago. They should have offered the Bears what the Ravens did to get Roquan Smith. Then they could have let Bush walk next year. Our inside linebackers are soft. Look at what Smith did today. He's everything we hoped Bush was going to be.Absolutely

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[Mojouw]

The steelers are and this is the problem.....

I don’t think they are at all.

The dice roll on Jack and his knee shows they knew they had to get better.

They don’t make the Smith trade because they aren’t one guy away.

They need the picks and cap more than they need just Roquan.

[86WARD]

There’s a lot of bad players throughout the league. Watching some of the games this week and there’s some terrible, terrible defenses out there. Houston, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Giants…to name a few.

[Mojouw]

There’s a lot of bad players throughout the league. Watching some of the games this week and there’s some terrible, terrible defenses out there. Houston, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Giants…to name a few.

Agreed.

Everyone needs to calm down. It’s a rebuilding team. It takes time.

Unfortunately the Steelers are bad at the hardest positions to fill, OT, MLB, and #1 CB.

[86WARD]

Agreed.

Everyone needs to calm down. It’s a rebuilding team. It takes time.

Unfortunately the Steelers are bad at the hardest positions to fill, OT, MLB, and #1 CB.

Not to mention the DL and overall depth and #2 CB, #2 WR and the rest of the OL. They are far, far away. By the time they fill all that, Cam will need to be replaced and a RB.

[Steeldude]

If they still have Tomlin it won’t matter who you cut or sign.

[86WARD]

If they still have Tomlin it won’t matter who you cut or sign.

Maybe they can get the next OC genius like Nathaniel Hackett, Josh McDaniel, Dennis Allen or Adam Gase.

[polamalubeast]

Agreed.

Everyone needs to calm down. It’s a rebuilding team. It takes time.

Unfortunately the Steelers are bad at the hardest positions to fill, OT, MLB, and #1 CB.

In offense, yes but not on defense... It's not a young defense.....

[pczach]

I hope some people watched the end of the Bills/Jets game.

It was Bills with a third down and 6 play. They run Josh Allen to the left. ILB Moseley flies up and attacks the G, knocking him back and making the tackle to force the punt. Watch that play and then watch how a guy like Devin Bush plays the position. It's an embarrassment to watch him play so soft on nearly every play. He actively avoids contact and is often moving backwards or getting pushed into the secondary.

I just can't stand to watch him play football anymore. That is not how a Steelers LB is supposed to play football.

[86WARD]

In offense, yes but not on defense... It's not a young defense.....

Which means those current players they have are going to need to be replaced eventually as well. They have no room for fucked up draft picks or shitty free agent signings if they want to compete. Otherwise they are chasing their tails. There’s no luxury of throwing a 2008/2009 draft classes up there.

[polamalubeast]

Which means those current players they have are going to need to be replaced eventually as well. They have no room for fucked up draft picks or shitty free agent signings if they want to compete. Otherwise they are chasing their tails. There’s no luxury of throwing a 2008/2009 draft classes up there.

Time for a fire sale and have a true rebuilding(As accumulated draft picks and more) and not a fake one like this one

[NCSteeler]

Maybe they can get the next OC genius like Nathaniel Hackett, Josh McDaniel, Dennis Allen or Adam Gase.Adam Gase now there's a guy can ruin your team. I think all these are teams that predetermined who they wanted before the process even began

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[NCSteeler]

I hope some people watched the end of the Bills/Jets game.

It was Bills with a third down and 6 play. They run Josh Allen to the left. ILB Moseley flies up and attacks the G, knocking him back and making the tackle to force the punt. Watch that play and then watch how a guy like Devin Bush plays the position. It's an embarrassment to watch him play so soft on nearly every play. He actively avoids contact and is often moving backwards or getting pushed into the secondary.

I just can't stand to watch him play football anymore. That is not how a Steelers LB is supposed to play football.Roquan would have cost a 2nd round pick but could be change a few games just enough to be the difference. Most likely

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[steelreserve]

Which means those current players they have are going to need to be replaced eventually as well. They have no room for fucked up draft picks or shitty free agent signings if they want to compete. Otherwise they are chasing their tails. There’s no luxury of throwing a 2008/2009 draft classes up there.

They couldn't afford a 2008-09 draft class back then either, that's what helped kickstart the whole decline. Then what'd we do, we followed it up with the 2015-16 draft classes. Four years out of eight where every single pick was a gutterball, braVO.

Out of all our needs, I'd say we should really focus on finding a capable CB or two. If you don't have good corners, your season is over, you are going to get smoked in every game that matters.

But then there is the fact that we haven't drafted a solid corner in 20 years. No disrespect to Cam Sutton and Willie Gay, but if that's the best you can do while throwing a draft pick or two at it nearly every year, you got problems.

[Steeler-in-west]

In order of importance

1. fix the O line - particularly LT and LG
2. Get a new OC and QB coach, pay good money to get good people - no more bargain bin shopping
3. Get a NT - Alualu is done
4. Get a run stuffer at ILB
5. Do we still need a replacement for Haden? Seems like it.
6. Figure out a way to pressure the QB when TJ goes down - which is seeming to be an annual occurrence (earn your paycheck Austin)
7. Get rid of Mitch and let Mason be the no 2 guy or get a more competent vet

We have our work cut out for us.

- - - Updated - - -


I hope some people watched the end of the Bills/Jets game.

It was Bills with a third down and 6 play. They run Josh Allen to the left. ILB Moseley flies up and attacks the G, knocking him back and making the tackle to force the punt. Watch that play and then watch how a guy like Devin Bush plays the position. It's an embarrassment to watch him play so soft on nearly every play. He actively avoids contact and is often moving backwards or getting pushed into the secondary.


I just can't stand to watch him play football anymore. That is not how a Steelers LB is supposed to play football.

on a one yard sneak by Huntley, Bush leaps in the air over the LG and LT with nobody to hit, didn't even make contact with anyone, while Huntley just runs behind the C.

[Mojouw]

Take a deep breath. Take a shot. Do a line. Whatever floats your boat.

But...this just isn't all that bad. A couple of seasons ago (2-3) the Eagles had nothing and no clear path forward after the Wentz debacle. They hit on a few FA signings, developed some young guys that no one had heard of, nailed a few draft picks, and BOOM -- widely acknowledged to be one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the league.

Steelers have picks. Cap space. And a supposedly talented FO. Last off-season brought Leal, KP, GP, and several contributing veteran FAs.
.
Say they have 3 draft picks as successful as Leal, KP, and GP but at LT, CB, and LB. Suddenly, young, talented, and cheap(er) on both sides of the ball.

Rome wasn't built in a day. But two good off-season cycles can do a lot! They had one. Now...can they do another?

[pczach]

Take a deep breath. Take a shot. Do a line. Whatever floats your boat.

But...this just isn't all that bad. A couple of seasons ago (2-3) the Eagles had nothing and no clear path forward after the Wentz debacle. They hit on a few FA signings, developed some young guys that no one had heard of, nailed a few draft picks, and BOOM -- widely acknowledged to be one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the league.

Steelers have picks. Cap space. And a supposedly talented FO. Last off-season brought Leal, KP, GP, and several contributing veteran FAs.
.
Say they have 3 draft picks as successful as Leal, KP, and GP but at LT, CB, and LB. Suddenly, young, talented, and cheap(er) on both sides of the ball.

Rome wasn't built in a day. But two good off-season cycles can do a lot! They had one. Now...can they do another?




You are correct. It can happen quickly. But I also think the initial thought of the OP is also correct. It is time to get rid of some of the mediocre players that seem to be a mainstay on the roster. They need new blood and more talent at certain positions on the field. They also need players that play with a different mentality than some of the players they have now. You need physical players on defense. They need more players that take on blocks rather than running around them....particularly at the ILB position.

We know the DL is getting old and they need some new players there. It's not their fault. Tuitt was a huge loss for this team, and it came from out of the blue. Completely tragic and unavoidable at the same time. You can argue that the Shazier injury and the Tuitt retirement after the tragic death of his brother are huge factors in the lack of talent at other positions. It created holes in the roster where it was a strength up until the moment of the loss of the player. It created more holes to fill with talent, and they couldn't match the talent level of two top-tier players that were gone in their prime. They have added enough quality players under regular conditions, but those two losses just dropped the overall talent level of the team while using up draft capital on positions that were already filled with All-Pro level players. Just horrible luck.

We all know injuries happen, but this roster is thin. When someone goes down, there is nothing in the cupboard at many positions.

I would look to draft the best OL available regardless of position. Get the best player you can get your hands on. A major FA acquisition is also in play.

Look for a powerful, athletic interior DL and keep Ogunjobi if you can. Having Heyward and Ogunjobi with Leal, Loudermilk, and a stud rookie or FA would be pretty good. But Heyward is nearing the end and it can happen very quickly.

A stud ILB is a must for this team. Bush needs to go away. I don't want him on the roster. His style and level of play is not what an NFL team wants or needs.

A WR is also a must. There needs to be more talent in the room, and a tougher mentality more along the lines of Pickens rather than DJ. A quality veteran FA that could lead by example and assist in the development of the younger WR's should also be a consideration.

A quality cover corner. A #1 CB would raise the overall level of the CB position.

Literally after that.....draft the best available players regardless of position. Just draft the best football players that you can get your hands on. That's how you make a roster stronger.

One big draft and a successful FA period gets this team close to being a really good football team depending on the timeline for development of the young players.

It can be done.


PS: I am not even going into any potential upgrades to the coaching staff. Just addressing the roster construction.

[Mojouw]

You are correct. It can happen quickly. But I also think the initial thought of the OP is also correct. It is time to get rid of some of the mediocre players that seem to be a mainstay on the roster. They need new blood and more talent at certain positions on the field. They also need players that play with a different mentality than some of the players they have now. You need physical players on defense. They need more players that take on blocks rather than running around them....particularly at the ILB position.

We know the DL is getting old and they need some new players there. It's not their fault. Tuitt was a huge loss for this team, and it came from out of the blue. Completely tragic and unavoidable at the same time. You can argue that the Shazier injury and the Tuitt retirement after the tragic death of his brother are huge factors in the lack of talent at other positions. It created holes in the roster where it was a strength up until the moment of the loss of the player. It created more holes to fill with talent, and they couldn't match the talent level of two top-tier players that were gone in their prime. They have added enough quality players under regular conditions, but those two losses just dropped the overall talent level of the team while using up draft capital on positions that were already filled with All-Pro level players. Just horrible luck.

We all know injuries happen, but this roster is thin. When someone goes down, there is nothing in the cupboard at many positions.

I would look to draft the best OL available regardless of position. Get the best player you can get your hands on. A major FA acquisition is also in play.

Look for a powerful, athletic interior DL and keep Ogunjobi if you can. Having Heyward and Ogunjobi with Leal, Loudermilk, and a stud rookie or FA would be pretty good. But Heyward is nearing the end and it can happen very quickly.

A stud ILB is a must for this team. Bush needs to go away. I don't want him on the roster. His style and level of play is not what an NFL team wants or needs.

A WR is also a must. There needs to be more talent in the room, and a tougher mentality more along the lines of Pickens rather than DJ. A quality veteran FA that could lead by example and assist in the development of the younger WR's should also be a consideration.

A quality cover corner. A #1 CB would raise the overall level of the CB position.

Literally after that.....draft the best available players regardless of position. Just draft the best football players that you can get your hands on. That's how you make a roster stronger.

One big draft and a successful FA period gets this team close to being a really good football team depending on the timeline for development of the young players.

It can be done.


PS: I am not even going into any potential upgrades to the coaching staff. Just addressing the roster construction.

You pretty much said it all.

I have said for a long time that I hate how they fill out rosters. I hate guys in the Dangerfield- Maulet category of steady veterans getting playing time over guys like Norwood or Pierre. Pierre had a bonehead mistake in coverage that led to a big play. Maybe he doesn't do that if he is playing over a steady veteran. It all made sense when this was a sure-fire playoff team...but now?....Also what happened to Norwood? Is he dead?

Their biggest weakness is right down the middle at the first two levels of the defense. It is amazing that they stop the run at all. Luckily, the world is not running out of DTs and ILBs. They just gotta find a couple!

I think people will be surprised how much different this all looks in a few months. The biggest and ONLY thing that really mattered from this season is that KP got experience and TJ Watt and MFF didn't die.

[DuckHodges]

Why not try Mark Robinson at ILB? Bush and Jack aren't getting it done, and Spillane in all honesty has no business being a starter in any capacity on ANY NFL team. Decent bench player who plays with heart but he doesn't have the talent.

Robinson played with the kind of violence I haven't seen since Harrison, I'd say get him some game reps, what do we have to lose

[polamalubeast]

Why not try Mark Robinson at ILB? Bush and Jack aren't getting it done, and Spillane in all honesty has no business being a starter in any capacity on ANY NFL team. Decent bench player who plays with heart but he doesn't have the talent.

Robinson played with the kind of violence I haven't seen since Harrison, I'd say get him some game reps, what do we have to lose

especially since we are almost eliminated for the playoffs

[EzraTank]

I hope some people watched the end of the Bills/Jets game.

It was Bills with a third down and 6 play. They run Josh Allen to the left. ILB Moseley flies up and attacks the G, knocking him back and making the tackle to force the punt. Watch that play and then watch how a guy like Devin Bush plays the position. It's an embarrassment to watch him play so soft on nearly every play. He actively avoids contact and is often moving backwards or getting pushed into the secondary.

I just can't stand to watch him play football anymore. That is not how a Steelers LB is supposed to play football.

That was my point in the GDT. It is embarrassing watching this group of LBers constantly being trucked for 5 yards when our history of LBers used to strike fear into RBs.

[86WARD]

Take a deep breath. Take a shot. Do a line. Whatever floats your boat.

But...this just isn't all that bad. A couple of seasons ago (2-3) the Eagles had nothing and no clear path forward after the Wentz debacle. They hit on a few FA signings, developed some young guys that no one had heard of, nailed a few draft picks, and BOOM -- widely acknowledged to be one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the league.

Steelers have picks. Cap space. And a supposedly talented FO. Last off-season brought Leal, KP, GP, and several contributing veteran FAs.
.
Say they have 3 draft picks as successful as Leal, KP, and GP but at LT, CB, and LB. Suddenly, young, talented, and cheap(er) on both sides of the ball.

Rome wasn't built in a day. But two good off-season cycles can do a lot! They had one. Now...can they do another?

Not true. Eagles always had cap space, they’ve always been aggressive to fill their key needs with top tiered free agents (they don’t miss on many, if any) and they’ve always had a plan with depth on the teams. Very rarely do they get caught without decent depth. Most recently (and currently) middle linebacking. They also don’t keep players hanging around for too long, when they mess up a draft pick, it’s recognized and then addressed (same with coaching). The same cannot be said about Pittsburgh. They meander along with these guys they think might be good, taking up roster spots for the chance at actually finding someone good. Eagles cut ties at the first sign the player is garbage. A James Pierre wouldn’t be hanging around as along as he has in Philadelphia. Eagles go get Darius Slay when they see a problem at CB…not Levi Wallace. Problem at WR…they get T.O, they get AJ Brown…

Comparing the Eagles rise to what the Steelers could do isn’t a very good analogy because the teams thought processes are pretty much total opposites.

[polamalubeast]

Not true. Eagles always had cap space, they’ve always been aggressive to fill their key needs with top tiered free agents (they don’t miss on many, if any) and they’ve always had a plan with depth on the teams. Very rarely do they get caught without decent depth. Most recently (and currently) middle linebacking. They also don’t keep players hanging around for too long, when they mess up a draft pick, it’s recognized and then addressed (same with coaching). The same cannot be said about Pittsburgh. They meander along with these guys they think might be good, taking up roster spots for the chance at actually finding someone good. Eagles cut ties at the first sign the player is garbage. A James Pierre wouldn’t be hanging around as along as he has in Philadelphia. Eagles go get Darius Slay when they see a problem at CB…not Levi Wallace. Problem at WR…they get T.O, they get AJ Brown…

Comparing the Eagles rise to what the Steelers could do isn’t a very good analogy because the teams thought processes are pretty much total opposites.

The steelers hired someone in their front office who was with the eagles, so maybe some hope for the steelers?

[86WARD]

The steelers hired someone in their front office who was with the eagles, so maybe some hope for the steelers?

Let’s hope with that hiring and the transition to Khan that there’s a new thought process…because the list of needs on this team is so long that it will take a long time to fill them.

[Mojouw]

Not true. Eagles always had cap space, they’ve always been aggressive to fill their key needs with top tiered free agents (they don’t miss on many, if any) and they’ve always had a plan with depth on the teams. Very rarely do they get caught without decent depth. Most recently (and currently) middle linebacking. They also don’t keep players hanging around for too long, when they mess up a draft pick, it’s recognized and then addressed (same with coaching). The same cannot be said about Pittsburgh. They meander along with these guys they think might be good, taking up roster spots for the chance at actually finding someone good. Eagles cut ties at the first sign the player is garbage. A James Pierre wouldn’t be hanging around as along as he has in Philadelphia. Eagles go get Darius Slay when they see a problem at CB…not Levi Wallace. Problem at WR…they get T.O, they get AJ Brown…

Comparing the Eagles rise to what the Steelers could do isn’t a very good analogy because the teams thought processes are pretty much total opposites.
You are comparing a rebuilding team (the Eagles) to a team that was trying to duct tape together a SB run with a capped out roster. It is apples and oranges. Since Ben has retired, the Steelers have started to mostly operate like a rebuilding team and it shows. Cole and Daniels stabilized the offensive line. Sure, they could both be improved on but they signed the #1 Center and Guard on the FA market. Despite the fact that he isn't that good, Wallace was one of the top rated FA CBs. They are playing and hitting on a # of draft picks.

Don't forget that despite the embarrassment of riches the Eagles have at WR now, it was like 2 seasons ago that they were playing and hoping that Fulgham would be a #1 WR. Before their recent young MLBs came up, they were lacking any impact players at the position and I think it was Edwards only got his shot after injury and poor performance cut down everyone else on the roster.

You can't look at what the 2004-2020 Steelers did and then compare it to the post-Wentz to early Hurts Eagles. If for no other reason than the Eagles weren't paying a QB during that time period and....unless I am missing something....they really aren't paying anyone besides a DT or two and AJ Brown because the rest of their roster is pretty young -- https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/cap/

The Steelers are in that position, if they choose to be, moving forward. They are going to pay Watt, Minkah, DJ, and Cam for sure. The rest of those big cap #'s can all be walked away from: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/cap/2023/

They could do a ton of small, non massively splashy things with their cap $$$ that could have huge results on the field say this:
1. Sign JJ Watt to play as a rotation pass rusher.
2. Resign Obobujoioisadfojdfjskl
3. Sign someone big to play in the middle. Say Billings. Think people want out of the Raiders situation? Or maybe the DT Tomlinson from the NYG. Their cap situation is still pretty bad.
4. Sign Pratt to play ILB next to Jack. Then draft another size-speed freak at some point and hope between Jack, Pratt, Robinson, and Draft pick....someone figures out how to play ILB.
5. At CB/DB....convince Sutton, Edmunds, and Kazee to re-sign. Add someone like a Greedy Williams as a dice throw and draft a highly projected CB in the first 2 rounds. Pushes Maulet and Pierre off the roster.

I mean that, on paper, does a lot to help the defense without really making any massive earth shattering moves. On offense, it is even more straightforward -- find OL talent. The end.

And I have no problem seeing the Steelers making aggressive (for them) moves because that has been what they have done since they entered into this rebuilding, retooling, reloading phase.

[polamalubeast]

You are comparing a rebuilding team (the Eagles) to a team that was trying to duct tape together a SB run with a capped out roster. It is apples and oranges. Since Ben has retired, the Steelers have started to mostly operate like a rebuilding team and it shows. Cole and Daniels stabilized the offensive line. Sure, they could both be improved on but they signed the #1 Center and Guard on the FA market. Despite the fact that he isn't that good, Wallace was one of the top rated FA CBs. They are playing and hitting on a # of draft picks.

Don't forget that despite the embarrassment of riches the Eagles have at WR now, it was like 2 seasons ago that they were playing and hoping that Fulgham would be a #1 WR. Before their recent young MLBs came up, they were lacking any impact players at the position and I think it was Edwards only got his shot after injury and poor performance cut down everyone else on the roster.

You can't look at what the 2004-2020 Steelers did and then compare it to the post-Wentz to early Hurts Eagles. If for no other reason than the Eagles weren't paying a QB during that time period and....unless I am missing something....they really aren't paying anyone besides a DT or two and AJ Brown because the rest of their roster is pretty young -- https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/cap/

The Steelers are in that position, if they choose to be, moving forward. They are going to pay Watt, Minkah, DJ, and Cam for sure. The rest of those big cap #'s can all be walked away from: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/cap/2023/

They could do a ton of small, non massively splashy things with their cap $$$ that could have huge results on the field say this:
1. Sign JJ Watt to play as a rotation pass rusher.
2. Resign Obobujoioisadfojdfjskl
3. Sign someone big to play in the middle. Say Billings. Think people want out of the Raiders situation? Or maybe the DT Tomlinson from the NYG. Their cap situation is still pretty bad.
4. Sign Pratt to play ILB next to Jack. Then draft another size-speed freak at some point and hope between Jack, Pratt, Robinson, and Draft pick....someone figures out how to play ILB.
5. At CB/DB....convince Sutton, Edmunds, and Kazee to re-sign. Add someone like a Greedy Williams as a dice throw and draft a highly projected CB in the first 2 rounds. Pushes Maulet and Pierre off the roster.

I mean that, on paper, does a lot to help the defense without really making any massive earth shattering moves. On offense, it is even more straightforward -- find OL talent. The end.

And I have no problem seeing the Steelers making aggressive (for them) moves because that has been what they have done since they entered into this rebuilding, retooling, reloading phase.

It will be interesting what the steelers are going to do in the offseason since I'm not sure of their plan at the moment...It will also be their first offseason under Khan

But Claypool's trade looks better and better and I liked that trade from the start

[EzraTank]

Roquan would have cost a 2nd round pick but could be change a few games just enough to be the difference. Most likely



This. He was there for the taking and wouldn't have cost us much, plus Bush's contract ends after this year so we just let him walk and you have his better replacement in his prime. I get what Mojouw is saying that we are a rebuilding team ... so okay let's rebuild then. Trade TJ for a boatload of picks and do it right then if you're not going to try to get guys like Roquan. If we continue to try to rebuild like this before we know it Watt will be too old to win. Otherwise if you continue to spew the line, "We don't rebuild, we retool" then when guys like Roquan are available go after them.

[polamalubeast]

For Roquan Smith,he is a free agent after this year and the steelers were 2-6 at the trade deadline,so it was not the time for a win now move!

But,yes I agree we need a true rebuilding...A true restart!

[DuckHodges]

we gave them the freakin game, in my opinion that sucks - jim mora

[Steeler-in-west]

I’m still against trading TJ, he is, (was?), a one man wrecking crew

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Reality check.

2023 will be Cam Heyward's final season with the Steelers. He is the team leader right now, but its not realistic to have a 35 year old defensive lineman on the roster in 2024 taking up that kind of cap space.

[Rotorhead]

Reality check.

2023 will be Cam Heyward's final season with the Steelers. He is the team leader right now, but its not realistic to have a 35 year old defensive lineman on the roster in 2024 taking up that kind of cap space.

Has Cams play dropped off? I guess I missed that part of his game this season?

[polamalubeast]

I have no problem for a rebuilding....In fact I want one!

But the steelers need to act like that because it wasn't like that to start the year when Kenny had no chance of winning the job in the training camp....When you're rebuilding, you trust the young player!

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Has Cams play dropped off? I guess I missed that part of his game this season?

I guess you have not been watching much line play.

Its a long season in the trenches and it takes its toll on a player in his 12th season. He has been getting gassed at the end of games and getting pushed around a bit. He will be 34 next season and has a big dead cap hit, so they wont let him go. But the following season his number isnt that bad to be released.

Sure its not New England and the Steelers seem to like to trot players out on the field that are way past their prime, but I could see him hanging it up or getting released. He just wont be any good at age 35.

[86WARD]

You are comparing a rebuilding team (the Eagles) to a team that was trying to duct tape together a SB run with a capped out roster. It is apples and oranges. Since Ben has retired, the Steelers have started to mostly operate like a rebuilding team and it shows. Cole and Daniels stabilized the offensive line. Sure, they could both be improved on but they signed the #1 Center and Guard on the FA market. Despite the fact that he isn't that good, Wallace was one of the top rated FA CBs. They are playing and hitting on a # of draft picks.

Don't forget that despite the embarrassment of riches the Eagles have at WR now, it was like 2 seasons ago that they were playing and hoping that Fulgham would be a #1 WR. Before their recent young MLBs came up, they were lacking any impact players at the position and I think it was Edwards only got his shot after injury and poor performance cut down everyone else on the roster.

You can't look at what the 2004-2020 Steelers did and then compare it to the post-Wentz to early Hurts Eagles. If for no other reason than the Eagles weren't paying a QB during that time period and....unless I am missing something....they really aren't paying anyone besides a DT or two and AJ Brown because the rest of their roster is pretty young -- https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/cap/

The Steelers are in that position, if they choose to be, moving forward. They are going to pay Watt, Minkah, DJ, and Cam for sure. The rest of those big cap #'s can all be walked away from: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/cap/2023/

They could do a ton of small, non massively splashy things with their cap $$$ that could have huge results on the field say this:
1. Sign JJ Watt to play as a rotation pass rusher.
2. Resign Obobujoioisadfojdfjskl
3. Sign someone big to play in the middle. Say Billings. Think people want out of the Raiders situation? Or maybe the DT Tomlinson from the NYG. Their cap situation is still pretty bad.
4. Sign Pratt to play ILB next to Jack. Then draft another size-speed freak at some point and hope between Jack, Pratt, Robinson, and Draft pick....someone figures out how to play ILB.
5. At CB/DB....convince Sutton, Edmunds, and Kazee to re-sign. Add someone like a Greedy Williams as a dice throw and draft a highly projected CB in the first 2 rounds. Pushes Maulet and Pierre off the roster.

I mean that, on paper, does a lot to help the defense without really making any massive earth shattering moves. On offense, it is even more straightforward -- find OL talent. The end.

And I have no problem seeing the Steelers making aggressive (for them) moves because that has been what they have done since they entered into this rebuilding, retooling, reloading phase.

I didn’t bring up the Steelers/Eagles comparison and I wouldn’t say the Eagles were rebuilding, they were more reloading. You’re pretty much strengthening my point here. The Eagles have been hitting on moves, draft picks that don’t work out are gone decisively.

The wishlists and everything is great but these moves just haven’t been working out…for a while now. Miles Jack was pretty good but for Every Miles Jack (or even Levi Wallace…who I don’t think is worth it) there’s 5-6 failures…

[polamalubeast]

It would be great if the steelers could have at least 2 difference maker in the next draft,like in 1998(Ward,Faneca and Porter) and even in 2001 with Casey Hampton and Kendrell Bell

[Mojouw]

I didn’t bring up the Steelers/Eagles comparison and I wouldn’t say the Eagles were rebuilding, they were more reloading. You’re pretty much strengthening my point here. The Eagles have been hitting on moves, draft picks that don’t work out are gone decisively.

The wishlists and everything is great but these moves just haven’t been working out…for a while now. Miles Jack was pretty good but for Every Miles Jack (or even Levi Wallace…who I don’t think is worth it) there’s 5-6 failures…

Sure. But that is what happens when you are not playing in FA until the very end because you have like 86 cents in cap space.

This past off-season was the first time that the Steelers hit the FA period with cash to spend. And they brought in multiple core contributors (Wallace, Daniels, Kazee, and Cole). And while those guys are not the foundational building blocks that we all might want them to be...they are VERY different than bringing in Joe Haeg and Arthur Maulet and calling it quits because you ran out of cash.

Between Wentz and basically this past off-season, the Eagles were throwing it all at the wall and seeing what stuck. Then this off-season they committed to basically everyone but Hurts. Now, they will have to commit to Hurts and we shall see if it will cost them someone like Hargrave or Bradbury.

The Steelers (incorrectly in my opinion and perhaps no one else) were trying to use their negligible cap resources to put a SB team around Ben R. That forced their FO to operate in a very different manner.

If you look at what the Steelers did this past off-season and during this season....that is very much like what teams, such as the Eagles, have done during a rebuild and early build out around a rookie QB. It hasn't been totally smooth and it will not be moving forward...but this is a far better than it could have been. Imagine if KP looked like Sam Darnold or Zach Wilson? Or James Daniels continued to play like he did in the early pre-season?

[polamalubeast]

The crazy thing about the eagles,they have the first round pick of the 4-9 New Orleans Saints!

Also in the 2021 offseason,the eagles had the 6th overall pick and they traded down(to the 12th draft pick) and have one more first round pick in 2022.I would love to see the steelers do the same thing if they have a high pick in the next draft(and if this is possible)

[Mojouw]

The crazy thing about the eagles,they have the first round pick of the 4-9 New Orleans Saints!

Also in the 2021 offseason,the eagles had the 6th overall pick and they traded down(to the 12th draft pick) and have one more first round pick in 2022.I would love to see the steelers do the same thing if they have a high pick in the next draft(and if this is possible)

Depending on how high their pick ends up being, a trade down might be a great idea. Especially if they could still get one of their targets.

The first trade domino to fall will be the Bears at #2. Right now, they kinda control the draft.