2025 Pittsburgh Steelers

Tomlin's not going anywhere. The Rooneys aren't firing the guy who brings them winning seasons year and year after year...

Pittsburgh's problem is that the always do just well enough to never or seldom move up in the draft. As a result, they can never progress with talent.
 
To say the 2024 season ended in a stinker would be an understatement. But the Eagles, KC, Baltimore twice were all far better teams and those game really were never close. Onto the offseason and it’s the same major question: ‘What to do with the qb position?’

Tomlin will be back so just quit with the outside noise.

2025 draft picks: 1st (22nd), 2nd (54th), 3rd (86th), 4th (123rd), 5th (158th), 6th (221st), 7th (244th)
*** The overall numbers will change once compensatory picks are awarded

With the way the run defense looked the last 5 weeks, I’m thinking a DT may be the 1st round pick, CB/WR in rounds 2 & 3, a RB, a QB to develop, Safety & Oline with the remaining picks.

2025 Cap space: $52 mil under the cap. Just need some dudes: Oline, DT, WR, CB are the areas in need.

Free Agents or guys in the last year of their deal the Steelers might/hopefully will keep:
* RB Jaylen Warren - kid has juice and is versatile. Maybe a 3 year, $15 mil deal with $8 mil guaranteed
* RB Najee Harris - both sides would probably only come to terms if neither find a new team/player. Maybe a 1 year, $8 mil deal with $5 mil guaranteed?
* WR George Pickens - 2025 is the last year of his rookie deal, so do they want to extend him? Enormous talent and a mental midget. Darn if you do & darn if you don’t. I wouldn’t feel good about giving him $50 mil guaranteed but I’d guess Pickens will flip out if he doesn’t get an extension. Trade him? Might get a 2nd for him but he’s the only NFL caliber wr on the roster. Tough call with Pickens
* TJ Watt - in the last year of his deal so do they extend him or let him play it out? I’d guess they will not do anything until right before the start of the season with Watt.
* LT Moore - a free agent and he’ll probably get paid by someone. Not great but he is available & plays each week. Rookie OT Fautanu has to develop & be ready to start in 2025.
* CB Jackson - probably gone
* QB Wilson - Drafting a rookie is out of the question so it’s either Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Carson Wentz, go big $$$ with Sam Darnold, Kurt Cousins looked washed up, maybe trade for a aging vet like Matt Stafford….. if Wilson is willing to go with a cheap deal I’d say he is the most likely to be under center in 2025.
* WB Justin Fields - good guy & teammate but he’s a backup. Offer him a deal and see what he says

The Steelers were not as good as their 10-3 record was a month ago but probably not as bad as what they looked over the last month. There is no doubt the Steelers are a long ways away from the top teams in the league.
 
This franchise badly needs to bottom out and start fresh. It’s time to fire Mike Tomlin — coaxing 9 or 10 wins out of a mediocre roster and immediately getting bounced from the playoffs isn’t the point of the NFL.

T.J. Watt is on the wrong side of 30 now; it may be close to time to move on from him. Cam Heyward will eventually lose his effectiveness given his advanced age.

Without bottoming out, the QB issue never gets resolved.
 
AEW Champion said:
This franchise badly needs to bottom out and start fresh. It’s time to fire Mike Tomlin — coaxing 9 or 10 wins out of a mediocre roster and immediately getting bounced from the playoffs isn’t the point of the NFL.

T.J. Watt is on the wrong side of 30 now; it may be close to time to move on from him. Cam Heyward will eventually lose his effectiveness given his advanced age.

Without bottoming out, the QB issue never gets resolved.
Click to expand...

Green Bay hasn't bottomed out in 30 years and they have found QB’s. Dallas got Prescott, SF got Purdy, TB backed into Mayfieid & Minnesota kicked out with Darnold. Granted none of those guys will probably win a Super Bowl but they are competent QB’s whose teams did not tank in order to get. How many MGL teams truly have a Super Bowl caliber QB? 6-8 with another 2-4 who thinks they may have a guy. Long story short 2/3 of NFL teams are in the same boat as Pittsburgh & looking for an upgrade at QB.

Cleveland has bottomed out yet again and with the 2nd overall pick, do you think their QB issue is about to be resolved?

Cincinnati bottomed out 5 years ago and were fortunate enough to have Burrow coming out that year.

Keep the course and continue to try and improve the roster. No need to be. Cleveland with a Tim Couch or a current day NE with Maye and little to no NFL caliber starting skill players. Be ready when you find that guy at QB….and at some point the Steelers will find that guy. It took the Steelers almost 25 years between Bradshaw & Roethlisberger yet they still made one Super Bowl and two AFC Championship games while having a winning record during most of that time. If that is what situation the Steelers are in so be it but don’t give up & tank - who has that truly worked for?
 
the statement I saw this weekend perfectly encapsulates Tomlin and why the Steelers are kind of stuck in "purgatory", so to speak.

He's always good enough but never bad enough as a head coach.

pretty much sums it up. he's good enough to take an average offensive roster and get them "in" the playoffs but never good enough to WIN in the playoffs. he's also never bad enough to finish in the bottom 10 of the league with a chance to actually draft the most important position that matters - QB.

that's why the Steelers are where they are.

i'm all for starting fresh but the Rooney's won't do it. If there was any way to strike some kind of behind the scenes deal with another team who would give up a couple first round picks to have Tomlin as their head coach, then do it. but the whole problem with that is that Tomlin has to agree to the team he goes to, so then it would be out in the open that the Steelers are shopping him around, and how would that look afterward if he said "no". that's a no-win situation to even try.

I equate Tomlin to Calipari at UK. UK fans are like Steelers fans. spoiled. used to winning in the post-season, making final fours, even a Natty or two. when UK had a few years where they just "made the tourney" and didn't advance past first weekend, the fans turned on Cal and he was gone. Tomlin is Cal right now except the Steelers fan base doesn't have the power that the UK fanbase/boosters did. Rooney's won't succumb to it.

we are stuck unless the Steelers actually find a diamond in the rough QB late in the draft, or give up some draft capital to move up and get their guy, which they won't do.

we are where we are. it's frustrating.

but i'll be a fan no matter what. #HEREWEGO
 
Bballer05 said:
we are stuck unless the Steelers actually find a diamond in the rough QB late in the draft, or give up some draft capital to move up and get their guy, which they won't do.

we are where we are. it's frustrating.

but i'll be a fan no matter what. #HEREWEGO
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What you said about QB. We have to find that diamond in the rough or trade up. We traded up to 10 or 11 to get Big Ben back in the day. QB is everything.

I do hope we go out and get some WR help. There should be some big names out there. Tyreek, Higgins, G. Winston
 
MitSulHer said:
What you said about QB. We have to find that diamond in the rough or trade up. We traded up to 10 or 11 to get Big Ben back in the day. QB is everything.

I do hope we go out and get some WR help. There should be some big names out there. Tyreek, Higgins, G. Winston
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pretty sure they didn't trade up for Big Ben. Steelers went 6-10 previous season and were the 11th pick. he fell to them, so they took him.
 
Recently, Cowher caught up with Ben Roethlisberger on an episode of the Footbahlin Podcast where he explained that he loved the quarterbacks, but he would not have traded up for any of them. Here's part of what he had to say when recalling an old conversation with Mr. Rooney.

""I told Mr. Rooney that we are going to take a lineman, but if one of these quarterbacks gets to us, we are taking them because they are too good. So I said I don't think I would trade up for any of them. I said I think we are okay with Tommy [Maddox], we got Charlie [Batch]. I said I think we are okay. "
Bill Cowher, via Footbahlin Podcast
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What was Cowher's reasoning not to trade up for Ben Roethlisberger or any of the quarterbacks in this class? They had a 32-year-old quarterback in Tommy Maddox and a backup they liked in Charlie Batch.

Maddox was coming off a 6-10 season in which he completed 57.4 percent of his passes for 18 touchdowns and 17 interceptions -- resulting in a dismal 75.3 passer rating. Despite entering age-33 season in 2004, Maddox had just 31 career starts under his belt and was on his fourth NFL team.


Surprisingly, Cowher was perfectly content with what they had in Maddox. Cowher admitted that the plan was to stand pat and take the best offensive lineman. They were eyeing former Arkansas OL Shawn Andrews. The big offensive guard went five picks later to the Philadelphia Eagles. He would have two Pro Bowl years, but appeared in just 63 career games -- making 57 starts.

It was different time with QB's and how they get drafted back then ....................................

Here is the article if anyone cares to read it .......
stillcurtain.com

Former Steelers HC admits that he would not have traded up for Ben Roethlisberger

The Steelers were fortunate to land Ben Roethlisberger in the 2004 NFL Draft. Nearly two decades later, Bill Cowher admits that he would not have traded up.
stillcurtain.com stillcurtain.com
 
i'm trying to remember how often the Steelers have moved up to get someone, specifically in the first round of the draft. it's not often. I know they did for Polamalu. moved up 7 spots to get Santonio. traded a first round pick for Minkah. moved up 3 spots for Broderick Jones. traded up 10 spots for Devin Bush (sheesh).
 
Bballer05 said:
i'm trying to remember how often the Steelers have moved up to get someone, specifically in the first round of the draft. it's not often. I know they did for Polamalu. moved up 7 spots to get Santonio. traded a first round pick for Minkah. moved up 3 spots for Broderick Jones. traded up 10 spots for Devin Bush (sheesh).
Click to expand...

I believe most of the examples you provided of the Steelers trading up were Pittsburgh teams that were pretty good and looking for the missing piece. Trading for Minka baffled me because that came right after Roethlisberger got hurt for the season and the Steelers were 0-2.
 
AEW Champion said:
This franchise badly needs to bottom out and start fresh. It’s time to fire Mike Tomlin — coaxing 9 or 10 wins out of a mediocre roster and immediately getting bounced from the playoffs isn’t the point of the NFL.

T.J. Watt is on the wrong side of 30 now; it may be close to time to move on from him. Cam Heyward will eventually lose his effectiveness given his advanced age.

Without bottoming out, the QB issue never gets resolved.
Click to expand...
Im looking at Super Bowl champions and unless Im overlooking somebody I dont see any team bottoming out to win a 'ship
Average to slightly above average teams upgrading at QB seems to be the winning formula. Mahomes, Brady, both Mannings ,Stafford. Even Philly with a great year from Wentz/Foles. Teams that ' bottom out' are just bad franchises with absolutely zero direction in getting their team out of neutral or reverse. The Jets thought Aaron Rogers was the answer. They thought they could duplicate Tampa and Brady. Problem is they still are the Jets. Same with Cleveland and Watson.
Pittsburgh has been an average team that make the playoffs and have non losing records with the following QBs
Pickett, Rudolph, Trubisky, Duck, Dobbs, Fields 18th green Russ and 19th green Big Ben. Yes we need help at the positions listed previously in this thread. But a competent QB thats not on the verge of retirement will do wonders for the framchise
 
I dont get all the Tomlin blame . Did he draft Kenny Picket(bust)?sign Mitch Tribisky??( terrible) did he draft JPJ (bust), did he sign Russ Williams or Fields?( neither is anything better than marginal ,both really back ups . Steelers have bad O Line , only one legit WR in Pickens nd hes another head case like AB , Williams is decent but no more than # 3 type WR . We have Watt,Heyward , Queen ,Highsmith and sometimes Minkah ( hes a bum half the time though)..So ,why not 80-90 % on GM and maybe 10-20% blame on Tomlin???
 
Tomlin will leave the toothless armpit of pittspuke and the inbreds to become HC of AMERICAS TEAM BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COWBOYS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
At least Wilson wants to be there. For the right price, he’s probably the best option for 2025. No one is coming out of college who is a franchise caliber QB. I’d be ok with a 3rd round pick if the Oregon Qb or a 4th of the OSU qb. Both would be developmental type players.

www.espn.com

'Lot more to do': Wilson wants to stay a Steeler

Scheduled to become a free agent this offseason, veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, 36, two days after the season ended, told reporters on Monday that he wants to remain with the Pittsburgh Steelers, adding that "I think there's a lot more to do."
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
The Pittsburgh Steelers won't let their disappointing finish to the season cloud their judgement, as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac has reported that the organization will welcome head coach Mike Tomlin back next year.

"Despite a widespread public outcry and another embarrassing early exit from the postseason, the Steelers are not planning to make any move involving coach Mike Tomlin, according to team sources," Dulac wrote.
 
nupanther said:
The Pittsburgh Steelers won't let their disappointing finish to the season cloud their judgement, as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac has reported that the organization will welcome head coach Mike Tomlin back next year.

"Despite a widespread public outcry and another embarrassing early exit from the postseason, the Steelers are not planning to make any move involving coach Mike Tomlin, according to team sources," Dulac wrote.
Click to expand...
Good
 
The Steelers organization is too smart to fire Tomlin, but somehow too incompetent to give him a decent roster. It is a mystery wrapped in a riddle.
Grading the personnel groups IMO:
DL - A
LB - A
DB - B
OL - C-
WR - D
TE - C
RB - B
QB - C-

Tomlin is a tremendous coach. He needs a better roster on offense, and a good OC. 10 wins was over achieving and good coaching.
 
nupanther said:
Im looking at Super Bowl champions and unless Im overlooking somebody I dont see any team bottoming out to win a 'ship
Average to slightly above average teams upgrading at QB seems to be the winning formula. Mahomes, Brady, both Mannings ,Stafford. Even Philly with a great year from Wentz/Foles. Teams that ' bottom out' are just bad franchises with absolutely zero direction in getting their team out of neutral or reverse. The Jets thought Aaron Rogers was the answer. They thought they could duplicate Tampa and Brady. Problem is they still are the Jets. Same with Cleveland and Watson.
Pittsburgh has been an average team that make the playoffs and have non losing records with the following QBs
Pickett, Rudolph, Trubisky, Duck, Dobbs, Fields 18th green Russ and 19th green Big Ben. Yes we need help at the positions listed previously in this thread. But a competent QB thats not on the verge of retirement will do wonders for the framchise
Click to expand...
Both the Colts (3-13) and the Giants (4-12) bottomed out before getting the Mannings … that is what allowed them to get them.
 
joesports said:
Both the Colts (3-13) and the Giants (4-12) bottomed out before getting the Mannings … that is what allowed them to get them.
Click to expand...

Teams that bottomed out and it didn’t work are:
* Browns for the last 25+ years
* Colts when they drafted Luck. Luck was good but they never were SB contenders
* Bengals with Akaki Smith. It didn’t work too well with Carson Palmer either
* Da Bears with Trubisky and it’s looking rough with Williams
* Carolina with Young but he did look ok the last month of the year

The list could go on and on and your two examples are about the only two I can think of over last 30 years.

Who would you even take in the 2026 draft?
 
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WJ-OSU-STEELERS said:
Teams that bottomed out and it didn’t work are:
* Browns for the last 25+ years
* Colts when they drafted Luck. Luck was good but they never were SB contenders
* Bengals with Akaki Smith. It didn’t work too well with Carson Palmer either
* Da Bears with Trubisky and it’s looking rough with Williams
* Carolina with Young but he did look ok the last month of the year

The list could go on and on and your two examples are about the only two I can think of over last 30 years.

Who would you even take in the 2026 draft?
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I could make a very long list of middle of the pack teams … that didn’t work out either … basically all but NE & KC
 
wolves82 said:
The Steelers organization is too smart to fire Tomlin, but somehow too incompetent to give him a decent roster. It is a mystery wrapped in a riddle.
Grading the personnel groups IMO:
DL - A
LB - A
DB - B
OL - C-
WR - D
TE - C
RB - B
QB - C-

Tomlin is a tremendous coach. He needs a better roster on offense, and a good OC. 10 wins was over achieving and good coaching.
Click to expand...
After about Week 13 I’d say the DL and LB were closer to a C probably DBs as well. WR probably a D- or F.
 
The Steelers have one glaring weakness they must try to improve upon for the 2025 season: Quarterback. There are four ways of improving are thru the draft, free agency, trade for a current nfl qb or developing a QB.

Draft - there simply is not a franchise QB in the 2025 draft. Ward & Sanders are not worth trading up for, let the Browns talk themselves into drafting one of the two with the 2nd pick. Late round guys I believe worth taking a chance on:
1) Oregon Dillion Gabriel. The good is 60+ college starts, I like players of Samoan descent (typically very good family traits), good accuracy and throws guys open. Concern/bad is he’s only 6’0”, 205 and a good but not great athlete. He is not the big, strong guy that most are who deal with cold bad northern weather. He’s very similar to Tua without the concussion history. Definitely worth a 3rd.
2) OSU Sam Howard. He’s big, strong & a good athlete with good intangibles. Downside/concern is can he throw guys open? Worth a 3rd or 4th

Outside of these two I do not see anyone from college worth drafting and that includes Ward & Sanders. Neither of these guys would be week 1 starters either.

Free Agents & 2024 Steeler QB’s:
1) Sam Darnold will probably get a 3 year, $75-$90 mil deal with 1/2 guaranteed. He would have Jefferson or the Vikings HC so you got to figure he would not do as well in Pittsburgh.
2) Russell Wilson - only on the cheap and if you draft a qb to groom for the spot.
3) Justin Fields - only as a bridge qb at the right price. Good guy/teammate but simply not a NFL starting qb.
4) Brock Purdy - He’s Andy Dalton at his best and he would probably want $35+ mil a year.
5) Go to the land of misfits: Carson Wentz, Bengals backup Jake Browning, Aaron Rodgers, Daniel Jones…..only Browning slightly interest me.

Trade:
1) Kyler Murray - some talk of Murray possibly being available. It would cost 2 first. Just don’t have a good feeling about Murray.
2) Tua - Concussion concerns and his lack of success in cold weather. Good guy & decent QB. Just no interest.

I just do not see any clear option of finding a QB for 2025z. The 2026 draft has more QB prospects. Continue to rebuild the roster, stay in good shape regarding the cap and be ready to win now when you find that guy.
 
Art II is a joke and will inevitably drive this franchise into the ground. We're stuck in a mediocre stasis because he doesn't demand more and will not move on from a lame duck coach.
 
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