turn out the lights, the parties over

Haley didn't bring the same baggage Gruden does and I imagine the standard is going to be higher for a head coach than it would be for players.

Vick was a huge mistake. It was Tomlin letting his fascination with the guy cloud his judgement.

Roethlisberger had been the quarterback for two Super Bowl championship teams in Pittsburgh and he was only 28 years old. They also knew they had a shot to win it all in 2010 with him, but not without him. It also makes a difference if you keep a guy you already have with a character issue rather than bringing him in from the outside.

If you are going to take on a character issue, the guy better be good. People talk about Tomlin's lack of recent success. Gruden's last playoff victory came in 2002.

 

Right now we got our money tied up. TJ base will be 32 million next year and 32 million again.

 

Jon Gruden is not the answer and I think his issues will exclude him.
I know Allen and Snyder were the snitches that got him in hot water.... Allen was a real slime ball.

We need a young, innovative mind to coach, and a GM who knows how to pick him and feed him talent he can use.

 

That money allocated has NOTHING to do with the money allocated to the coaching staff. If they weren't paying TJ $32m, 2-3 other players would be getting that money.

 

When you look at TJ and Cam, there's a ton of money wrapped up in old players that aren't being used right to get maximum output.
I agree, it would be allocated to other players.. maybe younger and more productive.
I also agree it has nothing to do with coaching.

When combined, the total allocation for both players in 2025:

• Heyward: $19.65 million
• Watt: $23.37 million
• Total for both: $43.02 million

Given that the Steelers' salary cap for 2025 is estimated at approximately $279.2 million, the combined cap hit of $43.02 million represents about 15.4% of the total salary cap, highlighting the financial commitment the Steelers have made to these two key defensive players.

Watt, I think we can keep. Surround him with players that can produce and use him more efficiently and we can get more success from him.
Cam needs to retire or go.

 

it should be an up and coming OC, then we replace Austin with up and coming guy as the DC (maybe bring in a talented DL or DB coach and have him lead the defense) League is all about scoring, our next HC should have that OC background. Rooneys and Khan have to do their homework - free of Tomlin’s influence for a change.

 

Omar Kahn needs to go now (ref my post of late in the thread about him)

Let Weidl pick a new coach and you're right, it does need to be offensive minded as Goodell's NFL is all about offense.
Austin could be fired today and nobody would know.

 

I disagree he isn’t an upgrade over MT but I do agree Rooney would never hire him.

 

The guaranteed money tied to TJ is just impossible to part ways with until 2027 or 2028. Probably easier to trade Highsmith and play Sawyer/Herbig opposite TJ. But I agree with telling Heyward that it's time to retire as this offseason Benton, Herbig, Washington and JPJ will be seeking 2nd deals and a decision on Brods fifth year option will be make. I'd rather spend the money saved on a Heyward retirement on an over-the-hill WR and just invest in the draft to fix our ILB and DB issues. It may take 2-3 drafts to fix this mess.

 

What Omar and Mike have done to this WR room is criminal.

 

Weidl comes from a system that isn't afraid to take chances.
He has a decent record albeit a short resume, but I would definitely give him a shot.

 

It take a full rebuilding to fix this mess.....Signing old veteran to just finish at 9-8 is a horrible strategy....But they will likely sign Kyler Murray in the offseason

 

I think it will be Kirk Cousins next year.

 

also possible

 

Cousins and Tomlin fighting tooth and nail for that 9-8 season! Your 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers!

 

Unfortunately, we do need someone to be QB. We need an approach that understands it may take a couple of 6-11/7-10 seasons to correct this mess. I'm in no hurry to draft a QB in 26 or even 27, but if one falls to us, I'd obviously take one. The team needs a plan.

 

We have the same convo after every year. It’s like we are stuck in a parallel universe.

 

I know right. It'll remain the same until the Steelers/Tomlin part ways or Tomlin resigns.

 

Without a playoff win this year there is no way right? Right??? RIGHT??????

 

Where's STD?

He's got some 'splainin' to do.

 

I have a sense this year may be different, but I had the same feeling the past two years. So I'll assume its a 99% chance he comes back. I think a lot of this is tied to Heyward retiring, hence the sense of urgency in getting Aaron, Ramsey and Slay here.

 

He told me yesterday still 11-6 just like he thought all along.

 

Steelers don't need another 50-something coach. They need to get young on the coaching side as well as players. Seattle did a purge after Carroll left and it's been effective.