Godsbrother
Footballguy
Let's start a new thread to talk about 2025 news, offseason moves, and likely the same result.
Link to 2024 thread
Link to 2024 thread
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*** 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers: waiting on a guy that no one wants (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter Godsbrother
- Start date
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
So apparently Russ was restricted on changing plays at the LOS after the big Bengals win. Smith wanted to stick with the run more.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Hearing reports that it wasn't as cut and dried as some media types are making that out. Less that he was told "don't audible", but told "only use the checks that you've been given for X play." Which, to me, probably means that pick 6 he threw vs. the Ravens was on a play he completely went off script on and the coaches got super mad. 
Regardless of what I think of Wilson physically, if you aren't going to let a vet SB winning QB have more freedom at the LOS when he sees coverages shift then you probably aren't going to ever let anyone do it. That's micro-managing 101, IMO.
Regardless of what I think of Wilson physically, if you aren't going to let a vet SB winning QB have more freedom at the LOS when he sees coverages shift then you probably aren't going to ever let anyone do it. That's micro-managing 101, IMO.
bryhamm
Footballguy
Heard that this morning. Sounds like he and Art bumped heads a bit. Not sure if that plays into their offseason decision on who to try and retain.
Given Russell Wilson's inability to audible, the focus shifts to who leaked the story. It's clear that Russ has the most to gain from the leak. As for the source, it could be someone unhappy in the front office or within Russ's circle. Either way, it doesn't reflect well on the Steelers.
But yes 5-ish Finkle I'm with you sounds like some massive micro-managing. I'm just grateful that every year we are one year closer to the big time change that needs to occur. Might not happen this year, next or in 5 years but it's eventually coming.
But yes 5-ish Finkle I'm with you sounds like some massive micro-managing. I'm just grateful that every year we are one year closer to the big time change that needs to occur. Might not happen this year, next or in 5 years but it's eventually coming.
irish eyes
Footballguy
Is it really surprising at all at this point. Steelers are so outmatched in coaching in all phases & they are light years away from seriously competing until the clown show is sent packing.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
You can disagree with certain things Tomlin has said/done, but calling him or the Steelers a "clown show" is ridiculous. He is a better coach and this is a better organization than more than 90% of all professional sports teams.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
I am just saying, we are in the same division as the Browns, and share a city with the Pirates. We should know what a clown show really is.
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
The Pirates have won as many playoff games as the Steelers have since 2011.
3 each.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I sincerely doubt they would consider Rogers. I also don’t think Wilson will be back due to the $ and length of contract he is going to want.
I am 100% good with rolling the dice with Fields and letting the season play out
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
Fields is the way to go. He either turns into our next franchise QB (doubtful) or maybe we are set up to draft our next franchise QB.
steelers1080
Footballguy
The more recent reports are saying this isn't true and that it's just Russ' team trying to get ahead of the free agency cycle. Idk what to believe at this point, both seem possible.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Reports are that "leak" about not allowing him to audible was from Wilson's agent, in an effort to put him in a better light to outside suitors. That doesn't sound like anyone the FO would be that in a hurry to bring back around if it's accurate, unless he wanted to play extra cheap again (of course, if Coach T prefers him then it doesn't likely matter overmuch how the GM feels).
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Regardless, I hope they don't pecker around too long and have Fields get what he feels is a better opportunity. I'm not over the moon for his prospects with this coaching staff, but he makes far, far more sense than a 37 year old dude who might have a professional beef with the OC.
The one thing Wilson may have going for him with the situation in Pittsburgh: if they were willing to throw him a contract to start soon he's almost certainly going to sign it without shopping it. He's not going to have a ton of interest at "his number" most likely, so if they came even close he'll probably sign it immediately. Conversely, Fields' handlers are likely going to advise him to shop himself around in this horrid FA class before he decides anything (even if he really isn't that interested in going anywhere else). So, the Steelers being the Steelers...I could see a world were at least Art II and Mike would overvalue having "a bird in the hand" prior to the draft...even if that "bird" is a 37 year old dude who might have a professional beef with the OC.
I still pessimistically suspect they'll somehow wind up with "Not Justin Fields" as their starting QB in 2025. They'll probably hella slow play it, and wind up having to settle for cobbling the QB room together. They were comfortable doing it that way last year, so I don't think they'll be any less comfortable doing it again if they must; Russ/a QB drafted higher than they deserved to be/Thompson, Unamed Tepid Vet/a mid-round project/Thompson, Mr. & Mrs Tannehill/Thompson, etc etc.
The one thing Wilson may have going for him with the situation in Pittsburgh: if they were willing to throw him a contract to start soon he's almost certainly going to sign it without shopping it. He's not going to have a ton of interest at "his number" most likely, so if they came even close he'll probably sign it immediately. Conversely, Fields' handlers are likely going to advise him to shop himself around in this horrid FA class before he decides anything (even if he really isn't that interested in going anywhere else). So, the Steelers being the Steelers...I could see a world were at least Art II and Mike would overvalue having "a bird in the hand" prior to the draft...even if that "bird" is a 37 year old dude who might have a professional beef with the OC.
I still pessimistically suspect they'll somehow wind up with "Not Justin Fields" as their starting QB in 2025. They'll probably hella slow play it, and wind up having to settle for cobbling the QB room together. They were comfortable doing it that way last year, so I don't think they'll be any less comfortable doing it again if they must; Russ/a QB drafted higher than they deserved to be/Thompson, Unamed Tepid Vet/a mid-round project/Thompson, Mr. & Mrs Tannehill/Thompson
, etc etc.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I am not totally opposed to “not Justin Fields” as long as whoever it does turn out to be is cheap and on a one or two year deal.
steelers1080
Footballguy
Fields feels like the foregone conclusion unless they saw little growth over the course of the year. The only plausible alternative is Flacco and Will Howard, setting up another QB pick in 2026.
Also, with the draft in Pitt in 2026 it feels like things are aligning to go all-in.
steelers1080
Footballguy
With how the Eagles dismantled the Chiefs last night by dominating with their front 5, it feels like the Steelers will go D-line early, and possibly twice. We need someone to pair with Heyward and eventually replace him. The best way to build a team appears to be solid trenches on offense and defense, then flesh out the rest of the team while you hope for a stud QB. Once you have that QB, don't skimp on surrounding him with talent at WR and RB, particularly WR in the draft because of their high cost.
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
Fields isn't a foregone conclusion at all IMO. He may have shown just enough to get other teams interested, and been pissed off just enough when the Steelers benched him anyways and didn't give him any kind of shot after Wilson's play declined and it became clear they weren't going anywhere with him under center.
I expect other teams to want to take a shot on Fields, and those teams may offer him a better situation and better weapons than the Steelers can.
karl.Racki
Footballguy
Honestly, I don't want either Wilson or Fields back.. I rather sign someone like Winston, Mariota.. Draft a Will Howard, Dillon Gabriel on Day 2 and start a rebuild..
This team has way to many holes right now to worry about throwing a ton of money for a Fields or Wilson.
This team has way to many holes right now to worry about throwing a ton of money for a Fields or Wilson.
Grid71
Footballguy
o7
This is how I see it too. Rebuild is in process and it’ll take time. Build up the trenches with goons. Drafting 3 OL last year was a statement. By 2026, Steelers line should be a very good unit. Making the DL priority 1 in April feels right.
Didn’t cross my mind till you mentioned it, but 2026 NFL draft is in Pittsburgh. Arch Manning in play for top overall pick. Hey! You got chocolate in my peanut butter!! You got peanut butter in my chocolate!!!
Count me in for two great things coming together.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
I am hearing Stafford again, but that just seems wholly unrealistic.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
I think that they were TRYING to build the Oline like the Eagles but Jones hasn't panned out yet and Fautanu was hurt. The Dline should be the focus this year.
But the blueprint that the Eagles, Ravens, and even the Bills have used is very similar to what the Steelers want to do -- we just have not executed or had the right players so far . . . .
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Post Super Bowl Mock:
21. Derrick Harmon, DT - Oregon
52. Omarion Hampton, RB - North Carolina
83. Kyren Lacy, WR - LSU
122. Darius Alexander, DT - Toledo
163. Jermari Harris, CB - Iowa
225. Cody Simon, LB - Ohio State
238. Tyler Shough, QB - Louisville
247. Marcus Tate, OG - Clemson
21. Derrick Harmon, DT - Oregon
52. Omarion Hampton, RB - North Carolina
83. Kyren Lacy, WR - LSU
122. Darius Alexander, DT - Toledo
163. Jermari Harris, CB - Iowa
225. Cody Simon, LB - Ohio State
238. Tyler Shough, QB - Louisville
247. Marcus Tate, OG - Clemson
I feel like he's got a better chance of leaving the Rams then those in national media seem to think. All is not so cozy with him and the team so maybe not what I'd call unrealistic, slim though.
One thing of note is the old WR market has got kind of robust over the last week or so as we can assume Kupp, Deebo and Davante are all available. May not be one of them, might be a Kirk kind of guy, but if this team does not sign a at least someone on that level this off-season it would absolutely shock me.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
If they go into the year having only brought in Kyren Lacy to that WR room, they better have signed Tee Higgens in this scenario.
I am totally on board with the idea, and have been for probably a couple of months now, for them to go after DT in the first if things break how it appears they likely will. Maybe even with a mild trade down. I also want them to double up on the position, since this class is so deep. Really like that you did that.
I don't hate it...but taking a RB in the second almost seems like a "waste" in this class. I like Hampton a good bit. I don't like him enough more than guys like Samson, Tuten, Smith, Sanders, or Neal to select him potentially two rounds earlier than some of them.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Yeah, he seems sort of upset about them offloading Kupp. "Slim", but not "impossible."
Drunken Cowboy
Footballguy
The focus should be WR and CB
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Neither of which are exactly considered "deep" in this class, though.
They shouldn't force it if it doesn't fall right. That's part of what has them in the position they're in (taking a 1st round QB when they shouldn't have. Taking a 1st round RB when they shouldn't have, etc, etc.). If it means a mild trade down in the first to acquire more ammunition to potentially trade up in 2026, and they take a DL in the #28 range before looking at WR in the second? I'm comfortable with that.
WR & CB need to be heavily pursued in FA(or trade) this year. Can't rely on getting the answers they need at those spots in just this draft crop.
Kupp is an issue but also not happy with his contract and how things have gone the last 3 off-seasons.
They reportedly had talks with the Jets in 2023 to trade him before $57m guarantees locked into his contract. Then last year I read things got a little drawn out and contentious over his contract and they placated him a little, not a ton, and part of that agreement was that he gave up any 2025 guarantees. I've been looking at how the Rams have been handling his and Kupps contracts the last two years and in both cases they've been reluctant to turn base salary into bonus for these two to create cap space, which is usually a massive indicator the team is preparing to at least give them the option to move on. He's under contract but only $4M guaranteed and I don't think he has any intention of playing on that contract, multiple reports that he and the Rams knew that contract adjustment he got last off-season was just for 2024 and a new deal or exit was going to take place in the 2025 offseason. I've been putting his odds of leaving the Rams as something in the 50/50 ballpark, but even if that happens that's only half the battle to get him here. Defintely think that any team willing to sign Kupp as well would add to his interest, that part of this could in theory help our odds if he does get to a position of leaving as we'd seem to be a team that would have interest in both.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
They had a lot of conversations with SF last year obviously, and I also heard there was something in-place or close for Kirk prior to his injury.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
For sure. Given the stuff they've been spouting for a couple/three years about "mobility"....that is pretty much the antithesis of Matt Stafford's game. Not sure they'd even have a ton of interest, given expected costs.
How a pure passer would ever want to work with Tomlin instead of McVay is kinda
, but you never know what's going on "behind the curtain" I suppose.crushedspirit
Footballguy
Going from a top 3 coaching offensive mind to Pittsburgh would be a big downgrade for Stafford. Chess to checkers.
Maybe it's just me, but seeing those two teams last night (and especially the Eagles) it just feels like the Steelers' aren't even close. It was a pleasure to see good football--solid tackling, good special teams, a truly dynamic quarterback, great play in the trenches, mostly disciplined behavior by the players. So much missing with the Black and Gold.
Here's hoping for 4-13 next year.
The Tomlin philosophy of play-it-safe offense designed to control the clock and not concerned with scoring points, which can beat mediocre teams 17-14 in the regular season but only leads to getting annihilated in the playoffs against a real team, has to be punished and has to end. Burn it to the ground.
The Tomlin philosophy of play-it-safe offense designed to control the clock and not concerned with scoring points, which can beat mediocre teams 17-14 in the regular season but only leads to getting annihilated in the playoffs against a real team, has to be punished and has to end. Burn it to the ground.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
Eagles are way more talented on offense and defense but they turned a lot of it around in one offseason. They hit the lottery with their draft, free agent signings and coordinator signings. They are the same team that had the worst defense in football for the 2nd half of last year. They certainly had a stronger nucleus than we do but they also show that it’s not impossible to turn things around quickly.
We need to build the trenches and then get good coaches. I’m not at all confident in the latter.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
You've gotta be willing to make the changes, though.
Lurie has shown a willingness to do that more than a couple times in recent memory, and puts the power of the org behind the GM/scouts/player development department. Art, conversely, "values stability" and puts the power of the org behind the coach's philosophy/rhetoric above pretty much everything else.
Sooo....you pretty much get what we've gotten; Quotable sound bites that look good as a static wall graphic at team HQ. "Better than the mean" regular season results...and a bunch of playoff exits where your lunch gets eaten because of stubbornly clinging to "same methods, expect different results" mentality.
If they truly "want to be the Eagles" they'd have to completely rotate their org chart 180 degrees and have some very candid discussions. I'd certainly doubt something that drastic occurs while Art is still "managing partner."
Tomlin can't build a team. He's completely in over his head when it comes to that.
He's the perfect guy for leading an experienced, talented roster that needs someone to push the right buttons at the right time to get the best out of them. That's why he was the perfect hire in 2007 as that was exactly what we needed at that time. And it was a great run those first 5 years.
But as the veterans on that team started to decline, and then ultimately retire, with players like James Harrison, Hines Ward, Troy, and others moving on, the scenario changed. The team went from needing a bulldog motivator who can keep the ship on course and on time to needing more innovation given the changing dynamics of their team. An innovator that from an x's and o's standpoint could be flexible enough to morph the overall vision of the scheme into highlighting the strengths of the roster while trying to diminish its weaknesses. Those issues were mostly masked because we had a HOF QB in the prime of his career who had earned enough trust to run the offense and had a ton of control on the type of scheme we ran and the plays we would run, especially in key drives and key spots.
So a few more years pass and our HOF QB starts to wear down and then ultimately age out. Big Ben starts to lose the free rein he had and the offense starts morphing more and more into what Tomlin is more comfortable with and prefers: which is this plodding, ball control style offense that is more concerned with running clock to rest the defense and getting it to 3rd and 2 than it is with that whole scoring points thing. The overall talent level has continued to decline to where arguably a rebuild is needed as the Steelers, as currently constructed, are far from a legit contender and look to be years from getting to that point in a best case scenario.
So, over the course of Tomlin's time, we've gone from 1) needing the young motivator that can push the right buttons on a veteran team to get the best out of them, from 2) needing the innovator who can schematically take advantage of our roster strengths while diminishing our weaknesses, to now 3) needing a true team builder, a guy who can put together a vision at the ground floor and identify the right talents and fits for that and someone who is innovative enough to be able to overcome the initial weaknesses of the roster.
Tomlin was the right guy for #1, a bad fit for #2, and completely in over his head for #3. The Steelers won't have another chance of being a legit contender until they find the right guy for #3.
The best thing that could happen to the team going forward, which they'll never do because of their arrogance and head-in-sand blindness they have to their true situation, is to trade out of the first round of April's draft for extra draft capital in 2026, look to move on from T.J. Watt and hopefully get a first + more as Watt is on the wrong side of 30 and won't be a factor by the time the Steelers are hopefully a legit contender again, trade Pickens because he's not a guy we need to have him long term and he folds hard the moment he gets dealt any adversity, and sell to the fans that a rebuild has been needed for years and that 2025 is going to be a year of transition. But no, they'll probably do some stupid **** like trade for an old WR and give up even more draft resources in their never-ending goal of winning 9 games and getting absolutely embarrassed in the first 10 minutes of a playoff game where they look like a JV team taking on Varsity.
He's the perfect guy for leading an experienced, talented roster that needs someone to push the right buttons at the right time to get the best out of them. That's why he was the perfect hire in 2007 as that was exactly what we needed at that time. And it was a great run those first 5 years.
But as the veterans on that team started to decline, and then ultimately retire, with players like James Harrison, Hines Ward, Troy, and others moving on, the scenario changed. The team went from needing a bulldog motivator who can keep the ship on course and on time to needing more innovation given the changing dynamics of their team. An innovator that from an x's and o's standpoint could be flexible enough to morph the overall vision of the scheme into highlighting the strengths of the roster while trying to diminish its weaknesses. Those issues were mostly masked because we had a HOF QB in the prime of his career who had earned enough trust to run the offense and had a ton of control on the type of scheme we ran and the plays we would run, especially in key drives and key spots.
So a few more years pass and our HOF QB starts to wear down and then ultimately age out. Big Ben starts to lose the free rein he had and the offense starts morphing more and more into what Tomlin is more comfortable with and prefers: which is this plodding, ball control style offense that is more concerned with running clock to rest the defense and getting it to 3rd and 2 than it is with that whole scoring points thing. The overall talent level has continued to decline to where arguably a rebuild is needed as the Steelers, as currently constructed, are far from a legit contender and look to be years from getting to that point in a best case scenario.
So, over the course of Tomlin's time, we've gone from 1) needing the young motivator that can push the right buttons on a veteran team to get the best out of them, from 2) needing the innovator who can schematically take advantage of our roster strengths while diminishing our weaknesses, to now 3) needing a true team builder, a guy who can put together a vision at the ground floor and identify the right talents and fits for that and someone who is innovative enough to be able to overcome the initial weaknesses of the roster.
Tomlin was the right guy for #1, a bad fit for #2, and completely in over his head for #3. The Steelers won't have another chance of being a legit contender until they find the right guy for #3.
The best thing that could happen to the team going forward, which they'll never do because of their arrogance and head-in-sand blindness they have to their true situation, is to trade out of the first round of April's draft for extra draft capital in 2026, look to move on from T.J. Watt and hopefully get a first + more as Watt is on the wrong side of 30 and won't be a factor by the time the Steelers are hopefully a legit contender again, trade Pickens because he's not a guy we need to have him long term and he folds hard the moment he gets dealt any adversity, and sell to the fans that a rebuild has been needed for years and that 2025 is going to be a year of transition. But no, they'll probably do some stupid **** like trade for an old WR and give up even more draft resources in their never-ending goal of winning 9 games and getting absolutely embarrassed in the first 10 minutes of a playoff game where they look like a JV team taking on Varsity.
x.com
x.com
Super Bowl LIX commercial blasts Mike Tomlin's coaching failures
A Super Bowl LIX commercial by Romanow Law Group took a bold shot at Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin and his infamous ‘standard’ motto.
steelerswire.usatoday.com
crushedspirit
Footballguy
We all watched the Eagles have a high turnover with coaching staff and players yet they have been to two SBs in three years. They have a coach who took the blame and actually changed his approach after last season's late collapse and they responded by winning it all. We get Tomlinisms and others thrown under a bus while repeating his ways each season after the next.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Is Rooney really so cheap that he won’t pay a coach with one year left on their contract when they need fired?
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Should have never let Flores or Munchak leave the building….
steelcityman
Footballguy
Flores probably would be combative with Tomlin's beliefs, and that cannot happen, as we have learned over the years. Munchack, I thought he left for his family, thats tough to prevent with a few more dollars.
Khan has actually had 2 good drafts w the Steelers, and with Weidel with him, you have to think they are trying to do what Philly has done, build up strong O and D lines(5 OL picks the last 2 years, including 2 firsts), then sprinkle in some skill players. If Tomlin leaves them do their thing, this draft should be a good draft for Steelers, plenty of DL, RB and TE. They need 2 of those 3 badly. Its what they do in free agency that will catch eyes, do they go the AARP route with Kupp thinking they are 1-2 players away, like a Rodgers, Samuel, etc, or do they do long game with Higgins type of impact and $ guys or maybe invest in a good CB instead to line up opposite of Joey Porter.
Khan has actually had 2 good drafts w the Steelers, and with Weidel with him, you have to think they are trying to do what Philly has done, build up strong O and D lines(5 OL picks the last 2 years, including 2 firsts), then sprinkle in some skill players. If Tomlin leaves them do their thing, this draft should be a good draft for Steelers, plenty of DL, RB and TE. They need 2 of those 3 badly. Its what they do in free agency that will catch eyes, do they go the AARP route with Kupp thinking they are 1-2 players away, like a Rodgers, Samuel, etc, or do they do long game with Higgins type of impact and $ guys or maybe invest in a good CB instead to line up opposite of Joey Porter.
He is that cheap. I've actually lost a lot of respect for the Rooney's this past season. The only owner cheaper than Rooney's are the Brown's family. It's my personal opinion that the issue goes all the way up to the top.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
All the local "connected" honks intimate whether it is either penny-pinching or just more of the "stability" stuff, he is incredibly reticent to pay coaches to not work for them.
It amounts to the same thing really: Guys who shouldn't remain employed do.
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