Realistic expectations for new coach.

Of course I want to win in the playoffs, I'm also not looking forward to no 6-7 win seasons either.

 

This team isn't making the playoffs next year .

 

Yep.

Will the opposite be true with the much more likely outcome?

I tend to think we'll miss the playoffs because there isn't really all that much talent on this team, especially under center (currently Mason / Howard).

But we will probably hire someone that Rooney thinks has the best opportunity to execute the mission statement (don't play meaningless games in the regular season and compete for a playoff spot always).

Especially if the young QBs in the league end up being legit above average QBs.

Then we have: Mahomes, Allen, Jackson, Burrow, Maye, Nix, Herbert, Stroud (looked bad in the playoffs this year though), Lawrence all in the same conference.

I fear that there will be a huge gulf of talent between whoever we have under center and the top 8-10 QBs just in the conference.

And on top of all that, the defense will all be a year older.

When Cowher left, we had a team that was at the beginning of it's competitive window because Ben was young and had a chance to be the greatest of all time (he didn't achieve this, but his career was awesome).

But now, we have a team that's we have been holding together with spit and duct tape for years so that we could pretend that we were being competitive for squeaking into the playoffs when we probably didn't deserve it.

IMO we need a real rebuild (but not a tank). But I don't think Rooney will OK that. So we'll try to just tread water like this. And it's likely that whoever we hire will be worse at getting not-all-that-good teams into the playoffs as Tomlin was.

And with the group of AFC QBs appearing to get even stronger, even if we do get into the playoffs...I think it's hard to think we'll do much against teams QB'd by the young guys on their 1st contracts...or the guys with really good track records.

I really, really hope the team proves me wrong. But without a really, really good draft I don't think we have the horses to compete in the AFC.

 

Tomlin dong suckers seem to be those in the mainstream sports media. Very few fans were content on mediocre Mike.


If Aaron Rodgers comes back and has another receiver to throw too with the defense fixed(Shula) then the chances go up for a win.

 

If it gets us a QB in 27 let’s embrace it. We are not contending with AR or Kirk Cousins etc etc we need a reset.

 

Gonna be wild if the new guy claws out 9 fugly wins and gets creamed in the wildcard round by a better team.

 

Hiya, Hawaii!!

Still a big grumpy grump?

 

It was Tomlin's conservative approach of playing to not turn the ball over, when you have a chance at 3 then kick the FG, if it's fourth and one at midfield then punt and force the other team to try and go 90 yards. On defense don't worry about giving up yards just force a bunch of turnovers. Playing that style of football will win most games thus you have Kenny Pickett going 14-10, Justin Fields going 4-2 and Russell Wilson going 6-5. That style of play of course doesn't work in the playoffs against superior teams but it does scratch out enough wins to make the playoffs.

 

Tomlin’s issues weren’t playing for the TD instead of FGs. His issue is his teams were constantly ill prepared in games 3-4 times a year and couldn’t even compete in the playoffs for a decade.

 

Hope : hire good coordinators expectations : building something

 

Of course, we are focused on who the next HC will be and how that will set the stage for next season. But let's not forget a big part of what this team will look like will be the coordinators. If Smith returns, I don't expect huge changes on offense other than perhaps upgrading WRs and starting a new QB. The DC will be a far more interesting hire and could determine the ultimate outcome considering it is the supposed strength of the team.
With two new coordinators, an uncertain starting QB, it seems a huge challenge that this team will have a winning record. Remember, Tomlin stayed in-house for the OC and kept LeBeau. That was big for consistency.

 

Maybe the browns,jets or raiders but generally, nobody likes to watch your team to be in the mediocrity for so long (in the final 96 games of Tomlin including the playoffs it was 49-46-1 and this is similar to 6 seasons of 16 games seasons) and to think after that next year will be different... I hope this time is over, even if it means the Steelers have a losing record next year... They need that for their future, as James Harrison said.

I mean team like the New York Giants are in a better situation that us for next season and the future like the Pats were before the 2025 season.It could change with a rebuilding

 

The current steelers situation is much different that the situation of 2007 who had won the super bowl in 2005.The current team need major change in scheme on both side of the ball.This is outdated like crazy.I don't care if they don't have a winning record next year since it could be good for the steelers in the future

I'll be very disappointed if Smith comes back, and I don't think he will.

 

Why would that be wild? Would be the same thing we have seen for a decade.

 

I thought Smith and all the assistants were let go?

 

The new coach could sign Smith and others if he wants, but I'd be surprised and disappointed if that happens.

Only if the Steelers hire McCarthy I think it'll happen...otherwise, goodbye!

 

Talk about starting your HC tenure poorly hiring Art Smith back. Guy is mr vanilla granted MT might have handcuffed him some with his WW2 mentality of offensive football.

 

Well he will have 9 years to win a playoff game. That standard remains the standard with Tomlin, right?

I think whoever he is won't have a problem jumping on a moving train and in three years or less will win a playoff game.

 

I am a half glass full kind of guy, I am hoping that a good hire, good OC/DC/OL hires
and a productive draft that we will be on our way to winning championships again.

 

We need a QB. I’m doubtful Will Howard is the guy with his inaccuracies throwing the ball but he’s worth a look. If he is horrible we get a great pick in 27.

 

If they can do that with a young quarterback, I would take it.

I think everybody just wants to believe that the team is on its way up. We just want to believe that the quarterback leading the team is going to develop and continue to get better. Not just get older and less effective.

I just hope that the scouting and drafting departments can identify a good quarterback.

You know I rated the quarterbacks last year and really liked Ward, Dart, and Shough. Dart and Shough are both finalists for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. How different would everyone feel about the future of the team if they moved up to draft one of those guys last year?

To get a quarterback, it usually takes a bold move if you want to draft one early. I hope they are up to it. We always hope one is going to fall, but they are what everyone is after and they get taken earlier than the draft grade teams and experts have on them. The team will have to be aggressive if there is a quarterback that they believe has the ability to play at a high level in the NFL. Unless they think Howard can be that guy.

 

There is probably only a handful of teams that have a championship caliber QB. That being said maybe our new HC/OC can develop
a young promising QB to give us hope into the future?

 

Well we experienced 7 shelling efforts in the playoffs. Is this you when they get another participation trophy for another non losing season?





One or maybe two down seasons will get them better position in the draft which is sorely needed. Always being competitive but organically losing while the roster takes a step up and restocked. The roster that was left needs much attention. Also a franchise QB in 2027 needs to be drafted. I'm done with these also-rans they brough in ready for the retirement home.

 

I don't think this is the right year to draft a QB... I don't realistically think it's going to be possible to trade up for a future franchise QB in this year's draft but I could be wrong.This is important to not reach on a QB!