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*** 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers: TJ Watt hospitalized with lung issue (24 Viewers)

Now ppl want Harbs fired too. That's wild to me.

Yeah, I've heard this on some of the NFL talk shows lately. Many feel that Harbaugh could be coaching to save his job ROS. If BAL misses the playoffs or has a 1st round exit... he's in trouble.

Maybe too many years as the "team with the best roster in the AFC" and everyone's darling Super Bowl pick and no (recent) trophies to show for it.
1-5 in the Divisional Round/Conference Championship Round since the 2012 Super Bowl, they followed up the only Divisional win in the last 12 years with the AFC Championship game where they gave the ball to Running Backs 8 times all game despite having one of the best rushing attacks in NFL history

He has overseen the creation of a roster filled with nice, good citizen guys who have absolutely no dog among them and continually come up small in the biggest moments. They started this season 1-5 and only got back to .500 by beating the Bears, Dolphins, Vikings, Browns, and Jets, before getting shredded by the Bengals on Thanksgiving. Getting to 1 Championship Game in 12 years with a continually outstanding roster, including 2 MVP seasons by your QB, that both ended with home playoff losses is not the stuff of legends
It can be argued that the Ravens teams underachieved for sure, but at least he's led teams to a playoff win in 3 of the past 5 seasons and his losses have come to the Bills twice, Chiefs, and Bengals. That's better than any stretch Tomlin has had since 2007 to 2010.

Granted, misusing Derick Henry in the playoffs like that was inexplicable.
 
What do you guys think D. Henry will do in this game? On one hand, the Steelers just got shreaded by a team committed to running the ball down the Steelers throat.... seemingly a plus for the Ravens. OTOH, the Ravens abandon the run quicker than politicians abandon campaign promises. Not sure what I expect to happen.

However, I think the Ravens can win this game even if they throw the ball literally zero times :lol:
 
With that said Howard will get every shot in the world to win the job next year. The problem is that the team has so many damn holes that I’m not sure how he could possibly be put in a position to succeed.
I hope so. I'd much rather give him a shot over Mason, even if Mason looks better in practice.

And I think with another offseason we can fill some holes. We currently have ~$70 million in cap space for 2026.
  • QB - Roll with Howard, Rudolph, and a random 3rd QB (draft or FA)
  • RB - Gainwell is a FA, not sure we re-sign him even though he's been a bright spot in our awful offense. If he leaves it's Warren and Kaleb Johnson, and probably a draft pick or UDFA. Feels like Warren and Johnson should have complementary skills.
  • WR - DK, Roman, and Ben Skowronek (who's mostly special teams). We need 2-3 free agents and draft picks. Even though we traded for DK it feels like we need a #1 WR, possibly 1st round.
  • TE - Muth, Darnell, and Jonnu. Cut Jonnu and save $7 mil. Bad signing but I'm sure Arthur Smith lobbied for him. Connor Heyward another special teams guy, maybe sign to vet min? Feels like he has flashed at times but never really found his place.
  • OL - Jones in the final year of his contract, Fautanu, Frazier, and McCormick all signed through 2027. Seumalo free agent. He has had some good games, but also a fair amount of crap games. Might be worth re-signing to keep continuity on the line, but taking a guard in the early rounds of the draft might be a cheaper solution. Could also use an upgrade at LT, Jones has improved some, but idk that he ever becomes a great player.
  • OLB - Our 4 OLBs are locked in. I would be shocked if TJ got traded, but some others are alluding to it happening. It feels like the Steelers always keep those kinds of tentpole players no matter what, but we'll see. If he's traded we save $12m with a $30m dead cap hit.
  • DL - The only players signed for next year are Heyward, Harmon, Benton, Black, and Logan Lee. Heyward has a ~$19m cap hit and I don't think any dead cap space. The Steelers might move on, but then our DL will be in even more dire straights.
  • ILB - Cole Holcomb becomes a FA, feels like he hasn't bounced back from injury. Queen, Harrison, Wilson, and Bruener signed through next year. Definitely feels like we could upgrade at ILB. Queen has probably been our best ILB, but too often I see a RB running through his attempts at arm tackles.
  • Cornerback - Joey Porter Jr is still solid and should be extended IMO. Echols has been surprisingly good, and James Pierre is a good backup (Pierre is a FA, probably cheap to re-sign). Ramsey is currently our top CB who isn't playing CB. He's playing safety with Elliott out, and it did improve things in some ways. I think we keep Ramsey, but I'm not 100% confident, just because we're paying him a lot to play safety. We'll see.
  • Safety - Woof. Elliott is pretty good, as is Dugger. We need new life in the safety room (unless the Ramsey move is permanent). And Dugger will be a FA.
We basically really need WR, OL, DL, ILB, Corner, and Safety.
 
Queen has probably been our best ILB, but too often I see a RB running through his attempts at arm tackles.

I disagree on this one. Wilson certainly has his own issues, but he's outplayed Queen this season in most games.

Queen's missed tackle rate is E.L.E.-level bad in 2025. He's been taken advantage of in coverage repeatedly as well (though some of that is schematic.) Just all around not a good year for him overall, no matter what his counting stats may indicate at the end of the year. Getting 6-10 tackles in a game is great....unless they're all 6-10 yards down the field (aka "The Barrett Ruud" Method").

I still think he's a good player, but not a great one. Certainly a great athlete...but they're paying him to be a great player. And in this scheme he's a bit miscast, particularly without a true NT to keep him clean.



We need new life in the safety room (unless the Ramsey move is permanent)

I think it will be (and I think he can probably provide quality play there for a few seasons), but he's still old and expensive, so it would probably behoove them to be thinking of what comes next there now anyway.
 
Queen has probably been our best ILB, but too often I see a RB running through his attempts at arm tackles.

I disagree on this one. Wilson certainly has his own issues, but he's outplayed Queen this season in most games.

Queen's missed tackle rate is E.L.E.-level bad in 2025. He's been taken advantage of in coverage repeatedly as well (though some of that is schematic.) Just all around not a good year for him overall, no matter what his counting stats may indicate at the end of the year. Getting 6-10 tackles in a game is great....unless they're all 6-10 yards down the field (aka "The Barrett Ruud" Method").

I still think he's a good player, but not a great one. Certainly a great athlete...but they're paying him to be a great player. And in this scheme he's a bit miscast, particularly without a true NT to keep him clean.
This guy agrees with you it seems. https://x.com/TraiDay79/status/1995260209791414388
 
Just iLB to the draft list in 2026. P Wilson is good at certain things, but Queen isnt a good combo with him. They need a thumper, a run stuffing block head.
So, QB, WR(2 of them), OT, OG, DL, iLB, CB, S. 7 picks in first 4 rds. IDK, they can sign FAs, but they dont have a good history of that under Khan. They sign names, guys Tomlin woulda drafted, but are now 7-10-14 yrs into their career.
Future doesnt look good. Unless slick Willy Howard can save the day.
 
With that said Howard will get every shot in the world to win the job next year. The problem is that the team has so many damn holes that I’m not sure how he could possibly be put in a position to succeed.
I hope so. I'd much rather give him a shot over Mason, even if Mason looks better in practice.

And I think with another offseason we can fill some holes. We currently have ~$70 million in cap space for 2026.
  • QB - Roll with Howard, Rudolph, and a random 3rd QB (draft or FA)
  • RB - Gainwell is a FA, not sure we re-sign him even though he's been a bright spot in our awful offense. If he leaves it's Warren and Kaleb Johnson, and probably a draft pick or UDFA. Feels like Warren and Johnson should have complementary skills.
  • WR - DK, Roman, and Ben Skowronek (who's mostly special teams). We need 2-3 free agents and draft picks. Even though we traded for DK it feels like we need a #1 WR, possibly 1st round.
  • TE - Muth, Darnell, and Jonnu. Cut Jonnu and save $7 mil. Bad signing but I'm sure Arthur Smith lobbied for him. Connor Heyward another special teams guy, maybe sign to vet min? Feels like he has flashed at times but never really found his place.
  • OL - Jones in the final year of his contract, Fautanu, Frazier, and McCormick all signed through 2027. Seumalo free agent. He has had some good games, but also a fair amount of crap games. Might be worth re-signing to keep continuity on the line, but taking a guard in the early rounds of the draft might be a cheaper solution. Could also use an upgrade at LT, Jones has improved some, but idk that he ever becomes a great player.
  • OLB - Our 4 OLBs are locked in. I would be shocked if TJ got traded, but some others are alluding to it happening. It feels like the Steelers always keep those kinds of tentpole players no matter what, but we'll see. If he's traded we save $12m with a $30m dead cap hit.
  • DL - The only players signed for next year are Heyward, Harmon, Benton, Black, and Logan Lee. Heyward has a ~$19m cap hit and I don't think any dead cap space. The Steelers might move on, but then our DL will be in even more dire straights.
  • ILB - Cole Holcomb becomes a FA, feels like he hasn't bounced back from injury. Queen, Harrison, Wilson, and Bruener signed through next year. Definitely feels like we could upgrade at ILB. Queen has probably been our best ILB, but too often I see a RB running through his attempts at arm tackles.
  • Cornerback - Joey Porter Jr is still solid and should be extended IMO. Echols has been surprisingly good, and James Pierre is a good backup (Pierre is a FA, probably cheap to re-sign). Ramsey is currently our top CB who isn't playing CB. He's playing safety with Elliott out, and it did improve things in some ways. I think we keep Ramsey, but I'm not 100% confident, just because we're paying him a lot to play safety. We'll see.
  • Safety - Woof. Elliott is pretty good, as is Dugger. We need new life in the safety room (unless the Ramsey move is permanent). And Dugger will be a FA.
We basically really need WR, OL, DL, ILB, Corner, and Safety.
we might be able to see Samuel enough by seasons end to know if the can play opposite of Porter. Would be nice to not have to prioritize CB, knowing so many other positions need new options. I'd bring back Dugger, Elliott, and the Ramsey option for Safety, draft depth piece late. Ramsey, Samuel, Porter, Pierre not bad a CB, but not sure I want Ramsey matched up vs a big time WR 1on1.
Offense needs a lot, from new OC, to 2 new OL, a couple WRs and some kind of option at QB. Rudolph stinks!
 
Queen has probably been our best ILB, but too often I see a RB running through his attempts at arm tackles.

I disagree on this one. Wilson certainly has his own issues, but he's outplayed Queen this season in most games.
Very fair, I mainly see Wilson crashing too hard on run plays and letting it bounce outside around him. He has made some excellent plays this year and is definitely a blue chip player for us moving forward. I think he can still develop to have a higher ceiling and possibly become great.

I agree that Queen doesn't fit well with the other ILBs we have. We don't have a run stopping ILB who can help with that reliably. We went all in on coverage ILBs, but that weakened the middle of our defense. But if we had a thumper, we'd probably be getting burned worse across the middle.
 
Oh man, saw a breakdown some of Roman Wilson's routes. Poor guy. He's open but the ball isn't coming or is way off target. Gives me hope that he can be a solid WR3 next year.
 
Oh man, saw a breakdown some of Roman Wilson's routes. Poor guy. He's open but the ball isn't coming or is way off target. Gives me hope that he can be a solid WR3 next year.
He has a different gear coming out of cuts and changing direction especially. He really stood out both times I saw him at training camp. But as long as Arthur Smith is calling plays, who the #3 receiver is won't matter much.
 
Jonnu Smith can't run the proper route to account for defensive alignment, or at least not the route Rodgers wants him to run. Just cut/bench Smith and get Muth on the field. He should be our #2 target behind DK, and he is getting almost 0 targets.

If we keep Arthur Smith this offseason we should trade Muth and cut Smith. We just need Washington and a random draft pick to still run an inept offense, we don't need a $12 mil TE and whatever Smith costs.
 
Ok, new offensive plan. If we don't score 14+ pts in the first half against the Ravens, and it's clearly because Rodgers is old and falling apart (not because WRs dropped passes or RB fumbles or something), then we mix it up completely coming out of the half.

Lineup is 5 OL, Darnell the Mountain, Muth, Jaylen Warren, DK, Roman Wilson, Will Howard. Let Howard cook. If he ****s up, who cares. Tell him to go all out and push it down field. Muth and DK alternate trying to take advantage of the middle of the field, Wilson's goal is to burn CBs for deep attempts, and Darnell's goal is to keep Will Howard upright while sometimes going out after chipping.

On paper, to me, this looks like our best option for success. I don't think Calvin Austin is the future, Jonnu is meh at best, we can swap out people for Adam Thielen and Kenneth Gainwell if they need a breather (and Thielen still has anything left), and we can swap Anderson for Darnell when he needs a break.

DK and Muth should be on the field every play.

Also, if anyone on the team draws a personal foul because taunting or after the play shenanigans they should be sent to the locker room and fined a **** ton. Bonehead moves need serious consequences. You're not children, this is a game but it's your job, jfc.
 
Either that stat is meaningless, or the Steelers have the worst OC in the league. I may lean to the latter.
I don't know. Even if the OL was the best in the league, the skill positions in total are bottom 5 in the league IMO.

Plus, its partially on philosophy/scheme. I assume low sack totals boost the rating, but dont tell the whole story.

Going to give up less sacks/hits if the directive is "If you cant execute in 2.2 seconds on a pass, dirt it."
 
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Hey, good news Steelers fans!
:oldunsure:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Steelers “are not going to fire Mike Tomlin.”
At 6-6 with a spiraling offense and a defense that has failed to live up to the hype, the Steelers are seemingly headed for, at best, another short-lived playoff run. They still need to make the postseason, likely by winning the AFC North, to even see another Wild Card Round loss. Pittsburgh fans have yet to experience a losing season under Tomlin. On the other hand, they haven’t seen a playoff win since 2017. His defense-first approach worked wonders when the offense took care of itself. That hasn’t been the case since Ben Roethlisberger retired, and it might be time for the team to try something new. Schefter notes that Tomlin is under contract through 20226 and his contract has a team option for 2027. The Steelers need to decide on that option by March 1. Declining the option could mark the beginning of the end for one of the most successful coaches in NFL history.
 
Hey, good news Steelers fans!
:oldunsure:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Steelers “are not going to fire Mike Tomlin.”
At 6-6 with a spiraling offense and a defense that has failed to live up to the hype, the Steelers are seemingly headed for, at best, another short-lived playoff run. They still need to make the postseason, likely by winning the AFC North, to even see another Wild Card Round loss. Pittsburgh fans have yet to experience a losing season under Tomlin. On the other hand, they haven’t seen a playoff win since 2017. His defense-first approach worked wonders when the offense took care of itself. That hasn’t been the case since Ben Roethlisberger retired, and it might be time for the team to try something new. Schefter notes that Tomlin is under contract through 20226 and his contract has a team option for 2027. The Steelers need to decide on that option by March 1. Declining the option could mark the beginning of the end for one of the most successful coaches in NFL history.
As a Giants fan I would ask Steeler Nation to ramp up The Fire Tomlin sentiment
Flood The Steelers front office with e-mails,snail mail,special deliveries on the subject
Thank you
 
Hey, good news Steelers fans!
:oldunsure:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Steelers “are not going to fire Mike Tomlin.”
At 6-6 with a spiraling offense and a defense that has failed to live up to the hype, the Steelers are seemingly headed for, at best, another short-lived playoff run. They still need to make the postseason, likely by winning the AFC North, to even see another Wild Card Round loss. Pittsburgh fans have yet to experience a losing season under Tomlin. On the other hand, they haven’t seen a playoff win since 2017. His defense-first approach worked wonders when the offense took care of itself. That hasn’t been the case since Ben Roethlisberger retired, and it might be time for the team to try something new. Schefter notes that Tomlin is under contract through 20226 and his contract has a team option for 2027. The Steelers need to decide on that option by March 1. Declining the option could mark the beginning of the end for one of the most successful coaches in NFL history.
As a Giants fan I would ask Steeler Nation to ramp up The Fire Tomlin sentiment
Flood The Steelers front office with e-mails,snail mail,special deliveries on the subject
Thank you
I’d bet 80% of resident Steeler fans yelled an expletive reading this news.
 
Hey, good news Steelers fans!
:oldunsure:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Steelers “are not going to fire Mike Tomlin.”
At 6-6 with a spiraling offense and a defense that has failed to live up to the hype, the Steelers are seemingly headed for, at best, another short-lived playoff run. They still need to make the postseason, likely by winning the AFC North, to even see another Wild Card Round loss. Pittsburgh fans have yet to experience a losing season under Tomlin. On the other hand, they haven’t seen a playoff win since 2017. His defense-first approach worked wonders when the offense took care of itself. That hasn’t been the case since Ben Roethlisberger retired, and it might be time for the team to try something new. Schefter notes that Tomlin is under contract through 20226 and his contract has a team option for 2027. The Steelers need to decide on that option by March 1. Declining the option could mark the beginning of the end for one of the most successful coaches in NFL history.
As a Giants fan I would ask Steeler Nation to ramp up The Fire Tomlin sentiment
Flood The Steelers front office with e-mails,snail mail,special deliveries on the subject
Thank you
Wish granted
 
I keep saying this, and I feel like a broken record, but I'm going to repeat it anyway... every semi-rational Steeler fan knows that Art Rooney II is never firing Mike Tomlin. Never. Whether he deserves it or not or fans want it or not is irrelevant, he will never do it. Ever.

That doesn't mean he shouldn't. It just means he won't.
 
Steelers want to go to the playoffs this year? They have to win the division. They want to win the division? They must beat the Ravens both games they face them.

This game is pretty much the season from where I'm standing. I know mathematically it's not, but if they can't beat them twice they probably are not winning this division no way know how.
 
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Steelers want to go to the playoffs this year? They have to win the division. They want to win the division? They must bet the Ravens both games they face them.

Step one completed, I guess.

Props to the coaches for the offensive gameplan in the first half. Ravens clearly were not expecting that at all ("eff 'em" for how they handled most of the 2nd half tho. Yet again didn't really make good adjustments to how the Ravens adjusted to them). Hopefully, this game shows them proof positive that throwing vertically is a necessity not a luxury.

Lamar clearly not 100%, and they got a massive assist from the refs, but I'll take it.
 
Steelers want to go to the playoffs this year? They have to win the division. They want to win the division? They must bet the Ravens both games they face them.

This game is pretty much the season from where I'm standing. I know mathematically it's not, but if they can't beat them twice they probably are not winning this division no way know how.
The next Ravens game will most likely not matter for the division.
 
The refs won that game for the Steelers, they played a good first half and then stunk and deserved to lose and did lose the game but
not for the NFL officials fixing another game for the people who pay them
 
Got the good acid this week.

We'll see what FL brings us next Monday night

My fantasy playoff game will be over by then as well. Need better acid
 
Steelers want to go to the playoffs this year? They have to win the division. They want to win the division? They must bet the Ravens both games they face them.

This game is pretty much the season from where I'm standing. I know mathematically it's not, but if they can't beat them twice they probably are not winning this division no way know how.
The next Ravens game will most likely not matter for the division.

Because the Steelers would never lose two games to the Dolphins and Browns that they shouldnt, while the Ravens won a couple including vs the Bengals?

"Most" likely? Maybe not,but Ive seen this movie before. I do not trust this team to do anything "expected."
 
Steelers want to go to the playoffs this year? They have to win the division. They want to win the division? They must bet the Ravens both games they face them.

This game is pretty much the season from where I'm standing. I know mathematically it's not, but if they can't beat them twice they probably are not winning this division no way know how.
The next Ravens game will most likely not matter for the division.

Because the Steelers would never lose two games to the Dolphins and Browns that they shouldnt, while the Ravens won a couple including vs the Bengals?

"Most" likely? Maybe not,but Ive seen this movie before. I do not trust this team to do anything "expected."
Those are the 2 key games for the Steelers. If they beat Miami and Cleveland, they're virtually a lock to make the playoffs. But as you said, we've seen this movie before. Thank goodness for being in the worst second worst division in football.
 
The weather for MNF should favor the Steelers bigly. Should be about 20 around game time with snow flurries.

Achane left the game yesterday with a rib injury so if he is out that could be another advantage
 
Certainly not great news but they are reporting he wil be flying back to Pittsburgh today so it is unlikely to be appendicitis which was my initial concern when I read your post
 
The weather for MNF should favor the Steelers bigly. Should be about 20 around game time with snow flurries.

Achane left the game yesterday with a rib injury so if he is out that could be another advantage

The thought of Achane vs. this run D is pretty terrifying. Even without him, given recent results, they should be able to run with a cardboard box on wheels. "Drop the ball in the box, give it a shove, profit."

Tua in sub-freezing temps would be a massive boon for the home team, tho.
 
The interior of the OL is above average, but the T play is terrible. Jones is one of the worst starters in the league and Fautanu is well below average. They are clearly a below average line at best
Steelers couldn’t do crap on the ground at all yesterday but especially up in the middle,

Still, it seems to vary week to week. I’m not sure how the Dolphins run defense is though
 
Still, it seems to vary week to week. I’m not sure how the Dolphins run defense is though

Closer to the bottom of the pack in total yards against, and YPC against. Have given up a decent amount of 20+ yard runs too. Overall, their defense is pretty meh in general.

So, likely won't have much of an issue shutting the Steelers' run game down. :cautious:
 

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