*** 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers: Training camp begins (10 Viewers)

[Hot Sauce Guy]

He probably won't be, and if he's back it's most likely on a one year RFA deal, but we are thinking alike in that I was just thinking that the talent on the OL(not so much performance but talent) with potential of two WR's who open things up could be super nice for whoever the RB is for them That's IF, and I can't make that IF bigger or I would, they keep Pickens. If not it's just status quo IMO at WR, with strong chance the OL takes a major leap.

Kind of agree, though I’ve seen more than one PIT writer speculate that with other needs Najee will be gone & Warren could get a shot.

 

[menobrown]

He probably won't be, and if he's back it's most likely on a one year RFA deal, but we are thinking alike in that I was just thinking that the talent on the OL(not so much performance but talent) with potential of two WR's who open things up could be super nice for whoever the RB is for them That's IF, and I can't make that IF bigger or I would, they keep Pickens. If not it's just status quo IMO at WR, with strong chance the OL takes a major leap.

Kind of agree, though I’ve seen more than one PIT writer speculate that with other needs Najee will be gone & Warren could get a shot.

Have seen nothing to suggest they view Warren as more then a complimentary RB. Draft will give them plenty of options. My expectation is Warren has similar usage but perhaps better surroundings. Also Najee never missed a game, odds of injury increasing Warrens role next year is probably going to be a lot higher.

I do think injuries of desire made his usage like a clear cut RB1, he's be awesome, league winner type of dude.

 

[McBokonon]

I love boz: https://imgur.com/a/k9O2mda

 

[rockaction]

Of note

Per ESPN:

Of 138 qualifying receivers, the Steelers now have three of the top ten guys in yards per catch.

Pickens
Austin
Metcalf

Bombs away!

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Of note

Per ESPN:

Of 138 qualifying receivers, the Steelers now have three of the top ten guys in yards per catch.

Pickens
Austin
Metcalf

Bombs away!

I really think Pickens is gone. No way they are going to have 2 WRs on big contracts when they still need to pay a QB and Watt with other holes to fill still too.

 

[fatness]

prediction: Pickens and Metcalf combine for over 2000 yards with the Steelers in 2025.
note: I'm wrong a lot

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Could mean Pickens on his way out ….

This is what I was thinking at first blush.

I think DK is better than Pickens and just got paid. GP has to read that as "we aint paying you both, soooo...."

...BUT they need more WR talent, not less, so perhaps they attempt to ride out Georgie's attitude for a year. Can always try to move him in-season if they had to.

Worrying about the contract for DK is pointless, IMHO. The numbers mean nothing. Salary cap can be manipulated with ease by almost any team anymore.

 

[Judge Smails]

Pickens has to be gone. These guys are the same receiver. Don’t complement each other at all. You don’t have 2 Mike Evans. You have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Different skill sets.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I really think Pickens is gone. No way they are going to have 2 WRs on big contracts when they still need to pay a QB and Watt with other holes to fill still too.

I wouldn’t mind - claimed Austin for like $38 FAAB $

Dunno if he’s next man up, but would love to see it.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I really think Pickens is gone. No way they are going to have 2 WRs on big contracts when they still need to pay a QB and Watt with other holes to fill still too.

I wouldn’t mind - claimed Austin for like $38 FAAB $

Dunno if he’s next man up, but would love to see it.

Way more likely to draft another WR in the first in '25 if they deal GP than Austin becoming a full time starter.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Way more likely to draft another WR in the first in '25 if they deal GP than Austin becoming a full time starter.

Not a great WR class tho & Steelers have a lot of needs

 

[MAC_32]

Biggest issue moving Pickens is an interested buyer

 

[crushedspirit]

Pickens just got more money yesterday. I'd think he's still in their plans.

Talk about another diva joining Pitt. He will fit in wonderfully.

That's my first thought. DK has on field anger issues to go with his sideline fits and takes plays off so he'll fit in very well.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Way more likely to draft another WR in the first in '25 if they deal GP than Austin becoming a full time starter.

Not a great WR class tho & Steelers have a lot of needs

Im certainly not advocating for it, but it'd be a pretty "Tomlin" thing to do: Deal Pickens to try to recoup what was moved for DK, draft Egbuka to calm down Coach T's "Buckeye Rager" and get the "instant separator" they lack in the passing game. He's also about the polar opposite of a diva wr as youre likely to get from this crop.

Im all in on them targetting DL with this year's first, but Im not deluding myself into thinking this team is close like it appears their FO is. Nothing would shock me anymore. A year ago they totally nuked their QB room. This year theyve dealt picks for a WR and then gave them 150m contract when their only currently rostered QB is Skylar Thompson. Up is down, black is white, and out is in over on the banks of The Mon of late.

 

[rockaction]

Biggest issue moving Pickens is an interested buyer

Yep. That's been what I've been thinking. Who wants the headache for that sort of draft capital? I mean, I hope teams learned from Chicago's pursuit of Chase Claypool (another Pittsburgh head case they were dying to get rid of). They sent a second-round pick for him. Ooooof.

Pickens is better than Claypool, but who is going to give a second or even third for Pickens? I mean, I'd maybe spend the third, but that's me and I'm not a football culture kind of guy.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Biggest issue moving Pickens is an interested buyer

Yep. That's been what I've been thinking. Who wants the headache for that sort of draft capital? I mean, I hope teams learned from Chicago's pursuit of Chase Claypool (another Pittsburgh head case they were dying to get rid of). They sent a second-round pick for him. Ooooof.

Pickens is better than Claypool, but who is going to give a second or even third for Pickens? I mean, I'd maybe spend the third, but that's me and I'm not a football culture kind of guy.

Thats always been the biggest issue. But they managed to find interested parties for Claypool and Diontae, and crackpot AB, and Holmes sooo...

There are still more than a few teams with more money than sense. If the Steelers decide to move him, someone will buy on the perceived upside. They may not get max value, but theyll find interested parties.

 

[rockaction]

Biggest issue moving Pickens is an interested buyer

Yep. That's been what I've been thinking. Who wants the headache for that sort of draft capital? I mean, I hope teams learned from Chicago's pursuit of Chase Claypool (another Pittsburgh head case they were dying to get rid of). They sent a second-round pick for him. Ooooof.

Pickens is better than Claypool, but who is going to give a second or even third for Pickens? I mean, I'd maybe spend the third, but that's me and I'm not a football culture kind of guy.

Thats always been the biggest issue. But they managed to find interested parties for Claypool and Diontae, sooo...

There are still more than a few teams with more money than sense. If the Steelers decide to move him, someone will buy on the perceived upside. They may not get max value, but theyll find interested parties.

I have this sinking horror that the Jets will pay the price for him. I just . . . I can see it.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I mean, I hope teams learned from Chicago's pursuit of Chase Claypool

They probably havent. :-D

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I have this sinking horror that the Jets will pay the price for him. I just . . . I can see it.

I mean...I'd be lying if I said the Jets werent one of the teams I had in mind. :-/

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Please not Rodgers. Please.

 

[Godsbrother]

Please not Rodgers. Please.

Steelers reportedly talking to Aaron Rodgers… Nooooo

 

[steelers1080]

Steelers' Nation: Omar, we need a WR so bad!
Omar Khan: Ok, I just landed the best WR available on the trade or FA market.
Steelers' Nation: Not good enough!!

Do I have faith that Arthur Smith can even use 2 good WRs? No. But DK is a proven talent that's way better than what we could get in the 2nd in this year's weaker WR class.
Could this mean we trade Pickens? Possibly, but half of Steelers nation was pleading for that before this trade happened. There's plenty of teams that pay 2 WRs, and if our plan is to draft a QB to develop (hopefully next year), that's the time you can afford 2 high priced WRs.

Also, the QB rumors do not look good, but how strong were the DK trade rumors prior to last night? Let's at least wait until they make a QB move before losing our minds.
My goal for this season is the cheapest vet QB; Fields, Darnold, Russ, Rodgers, etc., they're all rough. I just don't want to lock ourselves in to an expensive contract because I believe that drafting a QB next year is our best bet. If Fields' contract is being driven up by other teams, then I'm ok with a pivot, as long as we're not paying Darnold or Rodgers more.

 

[Blick]

Steelers' Nation: Omar, we need a WR so bad!
Omar Khan: Ok, I just landed the best WR available on the trade or FA market.
Steelers' Nation: Not good enough!!

Do I have faith that Arthur Smith can even use 2 good WRs? No. But DK is a proven talent that's way better than what we could get in the 2nd in this year's weaker WR class.
Could this mean we trade Pickens? Possibly, but half of Steelers nation was pleading for that before this trade happened. There's plenty of teams that pay 2 WRs, and if our plan is to draft a QB to develop (hopefully next year), that's the time you can afford 2 high priced WRs.

Also, the QB rumors do not look good, but how strong were the DK trade rumors prior to last night? Let's at least wait until they make a QB move before losing our minds.
My goal for this season is the cheapest vet QB; Fields, Darnold, Russ, Rodgers, etc., they're all rough. I just don't want to lock ourselves in to an expensive contract because I believe that drafting a QB next year is our best bet. If Fields' contract is being driven up by other teams, then I'm ok with a pivot, as long as we're not paying Darnold or Rodgers more.

They had to get a WR, they got the best one they could. Their offense just got instantly better. I'm not sure how anyone can complain about that. I can't imagine they don't have a plan at QB.

I still think this is one of the best organizations in football.

 

[McBokonon]

I can't imagine they don't have a plan at QB.

I still think this is one of the best organizations in football

I agree with your first part about the team getting better. This part, though - I don’t think I’m alone in Steeler fandom that I don’t have confidence in the second sentence anymore which makes me unconvinced about the first. They don’t really seem like they’ve had a plan for a long time and the (rumored) owner force feeding of Pickett didn’t help this perception.

 

[Godsbrother]

Not crazy about Rodgers being a Steeler but if they do sign him he better come cheap and for 1 year

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Not crazy about Rodgers being a Steeler but if they do sign him he better come cheap and for 1 year

I would think it will be a 2-year deal. I don't want a 1yr rental anyway.

I am hearing it is Fields or Rodgers now, but that the Jets may want Fields more than we do. But who knows.

Rodgers was better than the perception last season, but it just feels dirty to me. Though I will get over it on the first bomb to DK.

 

[pinkstapler]

Am I the only one out here who sees DK and Pickens deep threats x2 on the roster and is wish casting Jameis Winston as the guy they sign? I don't know if it makes us a playoff contender, but it sure as hell would make this team much, much more fun to watch. Draft a bruiser RB like Neal or Gidden in the 3rd to pair with Warren, and make play action/RPO 80% of the playbook. DK and Pickens screaming down the field with Austin and Friermuth settling in the soft spots or being check downs in the flats. Jameis is the ultimate locker room guy too, just about everyone who's ever played with him loves him. Maybe he could help finally settle out Pickens. Certainly won't be scared to throw him 50/50 balls, so he'll at least love that.

 

[Gold Fox]

I think Pickens is getting traded away during the draft to a team that misses out on a WR they had targeted in the 2nd/3rd round. I don't expect more than a 4th in return.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Please not Rodgers. Please.

Steelers reportedly talking to Aaron Rodgers… Nooooo

In the last 48 hours they've "reportedly" been talking to every free agent quarterback.

I have seen things reported by the same entity within just a couple hours of each other that are claiming Sam Darnold will be offered a contract at 11:01 of the legal tampering period, that Aaron Rogers will be signed, and that Justin Fields/Wilson will be returning. "Season of Lies "

 

[steelers1080]

I think Pickens is getting traded away during the draft to a team that misses out on a WR they had targeted in the 2nd/3rd round. I don't expect more than a 4th in return.

Khan would be a fool to trade Pickens for a 4th for one main reason, we would likely get a 3rd round comp pick for him. At that point, just have him play out the season and leave.

 

[crushedspirit]

I think some fans have the wrong idea that they'll see both GP and DK playing on this team in 2025.

It's not happening. GP will have himself a "sit-in" causing drama until either signed to a lucrative contract, (which won't happen), or be dealt away.

 

[steelers1080]

Not crazy about Rodgers being a Steeler but if they do sign him he better come cheap and for 1 year

I would think it will be a 2-year deal. I don't want a 1yr rental anyway.

I am hearing it is Fields or Rodgers now, but that the Jets may want Fields more than we do. But who knows.

Rodgers was better than the perception last season, but it just feels dirty to me. Though I will get over it on the first bomb to DK.

You'd rather have a 2-year rental than a 1-year rental on a 41/42 year old QB?
None of the QBs available right now are worth keeping long term except maybe Fields, but I don't think Fields reaches that peak with the Steelers.

The answer is a QB in the draft, preferable next year. And I don't think Rodgers will be a good mentor for anyone. Just because you're talented doesn't make you a good example.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Am I the only one out here who sees DK and Pickens deep threats x2 on the roster and is wish casting Jameis Winston as the guy they sign?

You who isnt wishing for that? Mike Tomlin.

Jameis is literally his nightmare. He wouldn't last a month as a starter. Hell, he wouldn't make it out of his first game with mutltiple picks (including if it was game 1).

The whole scenario would certainly be more fun to watch. No argument there. Mikey T and Artie would be eating their livers the first time Jay Dubs decided to rollout, looked like he had a refrigerator on his back, and got smashed by Myles Garret as he chucks it off-platform into triple coverage to lose to the Browns. The post-game interview would be glorious.

 

[3C's]

I gotta think they have a pretty good feeling on who they’re going to sign as QB.

My gut tells me it’s Wilson

Might as well give Zach Wilson a try. At least he can throw it 60 yards.

Teams will sniff around for the next version of Mayfield in 2023 or Darnold last year, so I’ll give you Denver’s Zach Wilson. A year under Sean Payton did him a lot of good, and the staff there really thinks, in the right situation, he could have a big bounceback year in ’25. His best bet might be to find a team with an iffy starter.

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www.si.com

 

[Godsbrother]

Sad news today: Craig Wolfley passed awat at age 66.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Sad news today: Craig Wolfley passed awat at age 66.

Drag. Just about anyone I've ever heard talk about him said he was awesome.

 

[3C's]

Sad news today: Craig Wolfley passed awat at age 66.

Dang. Tunch and Wolf was a fun show and now they're both gone way too soon.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Please not Rodgers. Please.

Steelers reportedly talking to Aaron Rodgers… Nooooo

In the last 48 hours they've "reportedly" been talking to every free agent quarterback.

I have seen things reported by the same entity within just a couple hours of each other that are claiming Sam Darnold will be offered a contract at 11:01 of the legal tampering period, that Aaron Rogers will be signed, and that Justin Fields/Wilson will be returning. "Season of Lies "

Yep. Khan scrambling after Fields deal in principal fell apart.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Not crazy about Rodgers being a Steeler but if they do sign him he better come cheap and for 1 year

I would think it will be a 2-year deal. I don't want a 1yr rental anyway.

I am hearing it is Fields or Rodgers now, but that the Jets may want Fields more than we do. But who knows.

Rodgers was better than the perception last season, but it just feels dirty to me. Though I will get over it on the first bomb to DK.

You'd rather have a 2-year rental than a 1-year rental on a 41/42 year old QB?
None of the QBs available right now are worth keeping long term except maybe Fields, but I don't think Fields reaches that peak with the Steelers.

The answer is a QB in the draft, preferable next year. And I don't think Rodgers will be a good mentor for anyone. Just because you're talented doesn't make you a good example.

By all accounts he was a good mentor for Love.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Steelers starting to stockpile ayahuasca/edible dirt? Great.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

They're gonna do all this smoke-and-mirrors ish on QB....and it's going to wind up being Russ and Daniel Jones.

 

[Blick]

They're gonna do all this smoke-and-mirrors ish on QB....and it's going to wind up being Russ and Daniel Jones.

Russ and Dart are my prediction.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

With all the lip service this front office pays to needing mobility of QB, and wanting "similar guys starting and at #2"...if they went after Rodgers that'd just be.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

They're gonna do all this smoke-and-mirrors ish on QB....and it's going to wind up being Russ and Daniel Jones.

Russ and Dart are my prediction.

I have always thought it's going to be Russ. My mind hasn't changed, really. They will "settle" for him when all other options deny them, and then champion it as if it was their intent from the start.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

He probably won't be, and if he's back it's most likely on a one year RFA deal, but we are thinking alike in that I was just thinking that the talent on the OL(not so much performance but talent) with potential of two WR's who open things up could be super nice for whoever the RB is for them That's IF, and I can't make that IF bigger or I would, they keep Pickens. If not it's just status quo IMO at WR, with strong chance the OL takes a major leap.

Kind of agree, though I’ve seen more than one PIT writer speculate that with other needs Najee will be gone & Warren could get a shot.

Have seen nothing to suggest they view Warren as more then a complimentary RB. Draft will give them plenty of options. My expectation is Warren has similar usage but perhaps better surroundings. Also Najee never missed a game, odds of injury increasing Warrens role next year is probably going to be a lot higher.

I do think injuries of desire made his usage like a clear cut RB1, he's be awesome, league winner type of dude.

They just made it a priority to re-sign him.

 

[menobrown]

He probably won't be, and if he's back it's most likely on a one year RFA deal, but we are thinking alike in that I was just thinking that the talent on the OL(not so much performance but talent) with potential of two WR's who open things up could be super nice for whoever the RB is for them That's IF, and I can't make that IF bigger or I would, they keep Pickens. If not it's just status quo IMO at WR, with strong chance the OL takes a major leap.

Kind of agree, though I’ve seen more than one PIT writer speculate that with other needs Najee will be gone & Warren could get a shot.

Have seen nothing to suggest they view Warren as more then a complimentary RB. Draft will give them plenty of options. My expectation is Warren has similar usage but perhaps better surroundings. Also Najee never missed a game, odds of injury increasing Warrens role next year is probably going to be a lot higher.

I do think injuries of desire made his usage like a clear cut RB1, he's be awesome, league winner type of dude.

They just made it a priority to re-sign him.

You mean the tender?

 

[3C's]

Steelers place a 2nd-round restricted tender on RB Jaylen Warren

 

[3C's]

Story I just heard is Fields will not re-sign with the Steelers unless they commit to him being qb1.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

He probably won't be, and if he's back it's most likely on a one year RFA deal, but we are thinking alike in that I was just thinking that the talent on the OL(not so much performance but talent) with potential of two WR's who open things up could be super nice for whoever the RB is for them That's IF, and I can't make that IF bigger or I would, they keep Pickens. If not it's just status quo IMO at WR, with strong chance the OL takes a major leap.

Kind of agree, though I’ve seen more than one PIT writer speculate that with other needs Najee will be gone & Warren could get a shot.

Have seen nothing to suggest they view Warren as more then a complimentary RB. Draft will give them plenty of options. My expectation is Warren has similar usage but perhaps better surroundings. Also Najee never missed a game, odds of injury increasing Warrens role next year is probably going to be a lot higher.

I do think injuries of desire made his usage like a clear cut RB1, he's be awesome, league winner type of dude.

They just made it a priority to re-sign him.

You mean the tender?

Oh snap I’d initially seen a report that the signed him.

I now see it’s a tender. Huh.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I doubt any team is ponying up a 2nd or 5M+ for Warren, so probably safe bet he’s a Steeler.