Thoughts on team turnover 2024-'25

Steelers proved long ago that the pecking order is Owner-Head Coach-GM. Kahn won't overstep his role because he knows Rooney sides 100% with Tomlin. Kahn won't win that battle and he knows it. So, I disagree when you say Kahn is 'weak'. He's done a good job with his role. Now go to another team and it could well be the opposite; GM then HC. Philly is a good example.

 

Kahn was part of the brain trust that hired Tomlin.
Tomlin's streak has won him a ton of respect all around the league, no doubt. He is held in high regard just about everywhere but here.
Personally, I think approaching 20 years coaching the same team is a very long time and the game goes a little stale.
No doubt he carries some weight and I would say it is deserved to a degree.
Omar is very average though. To me, it is as obvious as an infected hair on the nose.
It's more the Rooney philosophy... I love the guys and go way back to the Brownstone days with them. But that 70's mentality of not stepping out of the box doesn't work so well in the modern era.

 

I touched on this in another thread, but I don't know why you have such a negative opinion of Kahn. He's 2.5 years in, and just completed his third draft. While I've disagreed with some of his decisions, he's also made some solid moves that go outside what we're accustomed of seeing. His drafts appear to be for the most part good, but it's still early and in particular we need to see how Jones, Fautanu, and Wilson perform this season.

I didn't care for how the Aiyuk situation played out last year - whether it was a lack of a backup plan or having said plan be Van Jefferson - and there were a couple of things I would've done differently at the time earlier this offseason, but I'm also waiting to see what he does with FA and the draft next spring before getting too critical.

 

I don't have time.

 

2026 will be a more reasonable year to judge Khan. Given how that is the year Khan and the Steelers need to pull the trigger on finding "the one", he is going to have to. If not, it could set the Franchise back even more.


However, due to the ammo stockpiled thus far in the Offseason, it should aid his efforts.


Now, as for the team turnover, nabbing Gerald Alexander may prove much more of an X Factor for the Defense than others are giving it credit for. Same goes for Scott McCurley; someone who has worked with the likes of Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith and most notably, Micah Parsons. Biggest test though for me remains Pat Meyer and Broderick Jones.



Both are going to need to have big years; doubly so in Brodericks case.

 

Remember that it isn't just Kahn in player acquisition. Weidl shares a big role. In fact, Kahn is known as the capologist. That is why they hired Weidl. Kahn and Weidl's votes might count equal but as Roethlisberger I think once said "no player is on the roster that Tomlin doesn't approve".

In reality, it's Rooney that doesn't have the testicular fortitude to make a change. His interview at the end of the season pretty much sums up his mindset and it's not a good one. Bad part? The heir apparent Rooney seems to share the same attitude towards the team, coaching, and winning.

I have no problem with moving on from Tomlin. He has become Marvin Lewis 2.0 and once that happens it's a clear sign change is needed.

 

as we have seen the last few years with the super bowl contenders and winners it starts up front. O-Line and D-Line. KC lost because of O-Line last year. Philly won because of O-Line and D-Line. then a solid run game by both teams. they both had good QB's but the forementioned products were the tipping point. i'm not buying the crap about the new NFL. it is the same as always the trenches make it go with a good run game and solid defense. everything else works off of that. to me that is what kahn and weidl are working towards.

i also don't want them to waste all the accumulated draft capital to move up for a QB that may or may not be the guy. we could fill that spot and fill many other spots to solidify the WHOLE team quite well. the O-line has been added to, the D-line has been added to but they are not completed yet. CB and safety need added to. WR needs added to a little. QB needs added to but in moderation not an all in scenario. TE i believe is a biggy to add to. not many of the win now teams do well. KC, Philly, SF are teams that the GM's run the build. they normally are in the hunt. they are solid in all these area's. the franchise QB only is as good as the team around him.

 

Those are all symptoms of being average.
He has made some decent moves.. the acquisition of Metcalf was solid and I think moving on from DJ was good.
I didn't really like the deal for Pickens but maybe it pans out in the long run.
I don't care for his low balling.
I didn't like the fact that all the wind went out of his sails after the Metcalf deal.
I don't think you hit the FA market and go on a all-out spending spree. He hasn't done that.
His drafts are ok....
I'd also admit that maybe he steps up a few rungs, but I temper that with the fact he's been here 24 years.
I came from an organization that the stupid owner sank with the idea that they didn't need a GM, then did mediocre GM's and even a terrible one.... for 20+ years.

Now we've got the former Eagle, Weidl whom hasn't really stepped into the light but had a great reputation in Philly... I can't really say how much of an impact he is.

 

i think weidl has been quite valuable and he and omar are quietly on the same page. frazier, jones, fautanu, mccormick, mccullom, scharping, seumalo, cook, and the addition's to the D-Line have weidl's name all over it. wilson our LB, sawyer, herbig, harrison, slay, ekuale, elliott, thornhill, gainwell. all pretty under the radar guys that are creating a solid core of players. the other moves will come. look at the group we let walk. they are quietly filling those gaps with solid players and draft picks. the whole build doesn't have to be blockbuster deals to be good. we now have and are adding to a pretty solid core for the team.

 

You certainly don't want to go out a blow up the future for Free Agents... as I've said, Free Agency is a mixed back and sometimes treacherous waters to navigate.
A lot of the names are just looking for last big-time check. They come in, come up lame and collect money while sitting in the box seat.

I also mentioned in another place, Omar might well be a top 10 "Capologist" - maybe steps aside as I agree with the possibility of Wiedl's influence there.

 

the one year deals i don't care too much for. depends on how long those guys think they can play on past that year. as you say though the multi year deals of guys wanting that last payday can't be part of the deal either. that is where the capologist part of omar comes in. the guys like elliott are smart moves. signing the older guys to longer contract have to have a safe out for the team if their play drops off. i do see MT having a slightly different approach the last couple of years since omar and weidl have teamed up. maybe they are on the same wavelength and are bringing tomlin to the darkside with them. that would be my hope if he is to stay. then i think art 2 will be onboard as well. i just see some change in MT (a little) in the personnel approach.

i do like the way they are getting guys with some future still probable like thornhill and elliott. herbig, sawyer are also players that may be covering the butts of TJ at his age as you say looking for that last big contract. thornhill and elliott are covering their butts for minkah i think because of the big part of his coming due and his play dropping off. seems like smart cautious moves to have in place just incase. as i said under the radar smart moves. omar with weidl seem like a dynamic duo. not sure how it will go if broken up. i hope they aren't.