Weddle seemingly wanted to be a Steeler but we never called

I know the NFL is a business, but it kind of sounds like Weddle wanted to be a Steeler and they just never pulled the trigger.

“I thought I was a perfect fit for Pittsburgh,” Weddle said Wednesday when asked to recap how his 2016 free agency experience went. “They just were hanging around and not wanting to pull the trigger there. They had some other options and guys that they needed to get done before me and they just never wanted to come get it. And I’m really good friends with Ben [Roethlisberger], so obviously that was a destination that I wanted to make happen, but it just never happened.”

https://steelersdepot.com/2018/09/r...sburgh/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

Huh... i'm probably misremembering (or more likely extrapolating) but my recollection was his family decided they would rather live in the Baltimore area than in Pittsburgh. Pretty sure he visited... I could see the FO not aggressively pulling the trigger (they just don't have the free agency skills I guess)

 

If this is true, then I apologize for posting. But his words are pretty clear that he didn't get anything to show they wanted him.

 

We do need a beard on the current roster.

That’s the issue on Defense.

 

He certainly seemed like a perfect fit at the time, even moreso in hindsight. It never made sense to me that the Steelers didn't seem to make much of an effort to go after him.

 

Same here. I don't get why we invested so much on offense but wouldn't pay for a previous DB like Weddle. Imagine how much better our defense would look with him... maybe not perfect, but way improved.

 

Looking back then, yes this would have been a great pickup with our lack of secondary help.. But now I am glad we didn't.. Yes he is a veteran and he would have played ok.. But living in Baltimore and watching him play now hahaa.. so glad we didn't.. Very overrated..
Think our secondary has problems now.. just imagine if he was here..

 

This article suggests talk never got past his agent. I suspect the salary request got in the way of whether he wanted to come here or not.

http://www.espn.co.uk/blog/pittsbur...elers-flirted-with-big-names-but-didnt-commit

 

I don't think he is that good anymore, and especially with our coaching. nah

it would take talent of 04-08 levels just to not suck, but even then with the rule changes they wouldn't be able to adjust.

 

We already had Mike Mitchell. Not sure how bad the cap hit would’ve been if he’d been released to make room.

 

Go get earl thomas

 

I really wanted him

 

Old news

 

So happy Steelers didn't pursue this guy. Even my die-hard Charger fan brother said Weddle is an overpaid, average player.

 

Aaron Donald is from pittsburgh born and raised, a steeler fan from birth, his family are all steeler fans, he met tomlin in the parking lot several times when he played at pitt and tomlin knew he was a special player yet they stayed at 15 in the draft and let the rams take him at 13 it would have been Donalds dream come true if he was playing for the steelers all the sreelers had to do was make it happen....

 

Well if I were them i wouldnt want a 3rd round pick to choose somebody else so we likely would of had to give up our 2nd and trade our firsts.

So thats Ryan Shazier and Stephon Tuitt for Aaron Donald. Right now that might seem great but before the start of last season no way in hell would anyone suggest that would of been a good move.

 

I doubt it would have cost a second rounder to move up three spots, but even if it did, it would have been worth it for the best defensive lineman in the game.

 

All I can say is they aren't going to get a top talent on defense in FA or on a trade deal, they better draft defense all 7 rounds next season.

 

I'm in the camp of " it's not who they are drafting but who is developing them." Bradley gets a pass this year but the others need to fish or cut bait.

 

I wanted him to be a Steeler at the time, but he is old and slow now...

 

Weddle is so friggin overated........ I do not get the weddle love... In his prime the chargers defense was always among leagues worse every year....... And weddle was always making highlight reel getting burnt....