Quote:30. Pittsburgh Steelers

What went right: The Steelers got a pleasant surprise when JuJu Smith-Schuster's market failed to develop, leading the 24-year-old to return on a one-year, $8 million deal. It took voidable years to get Smith-Schuster back in the fold, which should tell you what a mess Pittsburgh's cap looks like. Given their lack of options at the position, the Steelers should also probably be happy that Ben Roethlisberger decided to return for another season, taking a $5 million pay cut in the process. And after agreeing to sign with the Jaguars, Tyson Alualu changed his mind and returned to the Steelers on a two-year, $5.5 million pact.

Quote:What went wrong: They were forced to eat their financial vegetables and watch Bud Dupree and Mike Hilton leave in free agency. With the organization moving on from Steven Nelson, cornerback has gone from being one of the team's biggest strengths to one of Pittsburgh's thinnest positions. Justin Layne, a third-round pick in 2019, has played only 117 defensive snaps over his first two seasons, but he might be one of the team's three top cornerbacks this season.

Quote:The offensive line is also a mess, with the Steelers losing Maurkice Pouncey to retirement and both Matt Feiler and Alejandro Villanueva to free agency. They brought back B.J. Finney and used third- and fourth-round picks on linemen, but they project to be below average at as many as four positions. Their decision to try to revitalize the running game by using a first-round pick on Alabama star Najee Harris also seemed curious given what we know about the position.

Quote:What they could have done differently: Used their first-round pick on a lineman while signing one of the many running backs still available in free agency. Christian Darrisaw came off the board one pick before the Steelers at No. 23, but I have to think that they would have been better off with Darrisaw and a back such as Todd Gurley than they are with Harris and their current line situation.

Quote:What's left to do: Start working on extensions for T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Plenty of teams would love to have this problem, but the Steelers will have to find a way to extend their two young stars on defense over the next two years while struggling with cap constraints. Roethlisberger could retire after the 2021 season, but the franchise will still be on the hook for nearly $16 million in dead money between their longtime quarterback and Smith-Schuster in 2022.

(06-03-2021, 03:54 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: As we continue to improve, strengthen our roster, and build for the future, the Steelers look like a dumpster fire.

As ESPN points out, the Steelers had the third worst offseason in the NFL:


It sounds like they know it's the end of the line for Ben and possibly his last season, which what quality free agents are going to want to come to Pittsburgh, especially after this season, when they're losing all these pieces, including the biggest one, and have no money to offer them big contracts?


Losing one of your best corners can't be good, especially when you're losing one of your best pass rushers, who would make the defensive backs' lives easier.


Big Ben always helped mask how terrible the offensive line was with his ability to extend plays, but will even Ben be able to be elusive and extend plays at age 39 and having taken a beating, both with being hit by NFL players and college girls trying to fight him off in bar bathrooms?

Harris could help, but will teams just load the box, send blitzes/stunts, and dare Ben to beat them?  Will he be able to?

Just another example of their franchise being run poorly.  Taking the flashy pick instead of shoring up at positions of need.  

Even without Geno, I think they're going to struggle with our new 3-4 defense and all the young guys we have up there, not to mention the rest of the division and league.


Are Watt and Fitzpatrick even going to want to come back?  The team will be in salary cap hell, limiting the money they can get, and will be in rebuilding mode with a new QB (probably) and new receivers, which who's going to want to come play for a rookie QB, especially if they have a halfway decent season and aren't in a position to pick an elite QB early in the draft?

For what it's worth, the Bengals had the 9th worst, but that projection is based off of Jonah not being able to lock down the left tackle position, Carman not developing, and our young guys not being able to make an impact, which I think they're underestimating Pollack coaching the line and then what switching to a 3-4 could do for our defense as a whole.

(06-08-2021, 08:27 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: The Steelers certainly are looking to be in a downward spiral. Predicting them to be the doormat of the AFC North this year.

If Lamar stays healthy the Ravens will still be tough, but if he doesn't stay healthy the Browns I think could be our toughest
Divisional foe this season. Stacked in the trenches, I think we improved ourselves here a lot though and should at least split
with the Browns.

(06-08-2021, 08:27 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: The Steelers certainly are looking to be in a downward spiral. Predicting them to be the doormat of the AFC North this year.

If Lamar stays healthy the Ravens will still be tough, but if he doesn't stay healthy the Browns I think could be our toughest
Divisional foe this season. Stacked in the trenches, I think we improved ourselves here a lot though and should at least split
with the Browns.

(06-08-2021, 10:24 PM)BigPapaKain Wrote: Another article spelling the Steelers doom. Another instance of me twirling my fingers saying 'woo-hoo' as sarcastically as I can.

I'll believe it when I see it.

(06-09-2021, 02:17 AM)Bmore Birds Wrote: I'll make a friendly bet with you that they finish under .500, I think they go 7-10. The Bengals should be a tough matchup for them because of Cincy's strength at WR and the Steelers losing Nelson & Hilton. The Steelers may have a hard time matching points with the Bengals. 

Maybe we can bet a temporary name or whatever is customary here.

(06-08-2021, 08:57 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I've been predicting the Steelers demise for the past ten years or so and they somehow always prove me wrong.

I do believe, as the article points out, that this season could be different though just because, as I pointed out, it looks like Ben's at the end of his rope and can't extend plays like he used to.  

I think it all falls apart without Ben.

Browns have arguably the best offensive line in the NFL and I think Mayfield could make some noise if teams don't find a way to pressure him because his confidence will only grow, which I'm actually hoping that Burrow gets that kind of loud, leadership confidence because I don't think we've had that in recent times.  Dalton could be loud and enthusiastic, but he didn't really have that "put the team on my back and lead us to victory" ability to go with it, and Palmer had the ability but never really seemed that vocal.

Agree on the Ravens.

I wish I had more faith in Taylor.

(06-08-2021, 10:24 PM)BigPapaKain Wrote: Another article spelling the Steelers doom. Another instance of me twirling my fingers saying 'woo-hoo' as sarcastically as I can.

I'll believe it when I see it.

(06-09-2021, 02:10 AM)Bmore Birds Wrote: Stop with the 'if Lamar stays healthy' BS. 

He will eventually get hurt like every other player does. Look up the stats (please), QBs are much more likely to get injured in the pocket. RGIII has scarred your brain. Remember Steve Young, Vick, Cunningham, Cam, McNabb and basically every other mobile QB who had long careers? Btw Lamar has never missed a game due to injury. He missed one for Covid and another resting because he led his team to the #1 seed. For the Bengals sake, you're hoping this is the year he does get hurt. If not, we'll be resting our starters by the 4th quarter again and letting Zac kick meaningless FGs.

You should be more concerned about your own QB's health and his coaches & Oline's ability to protect him.

(06-09-2021, 07:24 AM)BigPapaKain Wrote: It's usually a signature, but I'm not one to use a signature. But I guess whichever of us loses can put a line in there saying "I was wrong about the Steelers" or whatever. Bet originator's call.

Besides, I'm not saying they're going to the Super Bowl by any means - I'm simply stating that us Bengals fans have been chomping at the bit for the Steelers to fall on their faces for a LONG time and they've been making the playoffs every year despite preseason analysis and our collective hopes and dreams.

(06-10-2021, 01:44 AM)Bmore Birds Wrote: Ok sounds good. How about we use 8 wins as the baseline? 8 wins is a draw. If they go 9-8 or better I will create a signature and say you were right. If they go 7-10 or worse, vice versa. For the love of whatever's holy, let's hope I'm right 

(06-10-2021, 07:22 AM)BigPapaKain Wrote: Sounds fair. Good luck to you sir.

(06-10-2021, 10:29 AM)JS-Steelerfan Wrote: For Tomlin’s tenure with the team, the Steelers’ version of a demise, to borrow Brad’s phrase, has been to finish 8-8.  I’m hoping that trend continues, because I definitely don’t see them matching last year’s record.  And, for the record, I think Brad is right that a lot of it hinges on Ben.  But, let’s not forget that they recently played almost an entire season without him and went … 8-8.  

(06-09-2021, 02:10 AM)Bmore Birds Wrote: Stop with the 'if Lamar stays healthy' BS. 

He will eventually get hurt like every other player does. Look up the stats (please), QBs are much more likely to get injured in the pocket. RGIII has scarred your brain. Remember Steve Young, Vick, Cunningham, Cam, McNabb and basically every other mobile QB who had long careers? Btw Lamar has never missed a game due to injury. He missed one for Covid and another resting because he led his team to the #1 seed. For the Bengals sake, you're hoping this is the year he does get hurt. If not, we'll be resting our starters by the 4th quarter again and letting Zac kick meaningless FGs.

You should be more concerned about your own QB's health and his coaches & Oline's ability to protect him.

(06-10-2021, 01:36 AM)Bmore Birds Wrote: My bad Nate, I know you're one of the coolest people on here. I just get tired of hearing it especially since I spent a lot of time looking at the data when we drafted Lamar and I also see how good his vision and ability to avoid hits are.

Again, my apologies. I have a lot of respect for you here. Guess you guys found my sensitive spot :)

(06-10-2021, 01:44 AM)Bmore Birds Wrote: Ok sounds good. How about we use 8 wins as the baseline? 8 wins is a draw. If they go 9-8 or better I will create a signature and say you were right. If they go 7-10 or worse, vice versa. For the love of whatever's holy, let's hope I'm right 

(06-10-2021, 10:29 AM)JS-Steelerfan Wrote: For Tomlin’s tenure with the team, the Steelers’ version of a demise, to borrow Brad’s phrase, has been to finish 8-8.  I’m hoping that trend continues, because I definitely don’t see them matching last year’s record.  And, for the record, I think Brad is right that a lot of it hinges on Ben.  But, let’s not forget that they recently played almost an entire season without him and went … 8-8.  

(06-10-2021, 07:22 AM)BigPapaKain Wrote: Sounds fair. Good luck to you sir.

(06-10-2021, 02:38 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Two apologies? ****ing brown noser.