the head of the monster must be removed

That's a lot to read into.... assumptions.

I do not fault him for everything, and there is in fact substance to it.
We have a failing - wait, not really failing but more of misfiring system.
What you can read into it what I am really saying - "Maybe there is a misalignment of power" (a great point you pointed out but didn't make the connection to)
There are far worse systems, as I have said.

I came from one of the worst systems ever. There was over 20 years of epic fail.
I know when things aren't right, by experience.

I'll step back and take a higher altitude review.
The first thing on the table is Tomlin. The guy has produced winning teams for a crazy number of years and managed to get to 2 Super Bowls.
In any standard, that's darn good.
But the issue is we are always the bridesmaids but never the bride of lately. The one and done's wear on fans.
So to sum it, we are not a team whose seasons end by weak 6, we are usually in the race but can't finish.
Why?
There's something to be said about Tomlin being done. 19 years is an eternity in the NFL and the opposition becomes all too familiar with him.
He makes changes only when cornered - attrition usually.

In Pittsburgh, they've never really made splash moves, in the draft or in free agency. So, yes, maybe it is the culture.
In the old days, we called it a small market franchise. The cap has changed that.

At a high level, they've made bad cap decisions in some cases. That will happen.
They've been unable to produce elite players from the draft... of late, Ben, Troy, TJ and some others but that was Colbert.
In charge of the draft, Omar has some promising linemen, that's great. I think the scouts are fairly strong.
I think Omar is a mediocre GM, partially because of culture there and partially from his own doings and partially because of the structure of power.

I'm not excessively negative on him by any stretch of the imagination, it is more of that I keep dragging the same facts of the matter up - beating a dead horse.
In self-critique, I should be a little patient to see what this year (2026) brings.
Things that make me antsy:
- Teams have to drive a stake in the ground and commit to solving their biggest needs. Failure comes with any risk. QB has to be addressed; we cannot be living off cast offs.
- In this NFL, innovation is key. Tomlin made some changes, but I see a failure to step into the new era.
- I don't trust Omar to be strong enough to shepherd in changes needed.
- If Tomlin retires, does anyone have faith that he can search and find the right guy?
- If Tomlin is failing, does he have the strength to drive that change? It feels like he does just what his job description says and doesn't make waves.

All these words are a bit much but the obvious is just that, the obvious. I don't want a Pirates part II version here.
For my part, I can keep what I know to myself and just let it roll.

 

It's a long way off. That is Rooney "doing something about it" by his way of thinking. Rooney says I am just as frustrated as fans every off-season and nothing changes. In fact, he EXTENDS Tomlin, thus extending his and our frustration and apathy. Rooney is full-on spineless. He needs to hand over managing partnership to someone that can make tough decisions.

 

And flush into the toilet

 

Can you expand on this?

 

I think Khan has done well in the draft for the most part... He just hasn't gotten that home run perennial All Pro stud yet (I am hoping that is when we draft our next QB lol). No top 2 round busts yet. Done well on his mid rounders too (gotten a decent amount of good 3rd and 4th round players). He's done way better than C+. Not an A, idt... but probably B, B+. Next year's draft is going to be a big one for us... Need to hit

Trades have been bold at least. DK and Ramsey were good gets. Not all have turned out. I like that he is at least aggressive in trying to make this team better.

 

Khan isn't getting demoted. No reason to. His primary role is salary cap management, admin oversight, and negotiations. Weidl is the scouting, player personnel, and draft strategy guy....

The split in duties you want to see is exactly how it is currently.

 

I think the Steelers can survive on a mediocre GM, even mediocre is better than quite a few like the Jets, Tennessee, current Saints, Dolphins... a few that I am missing.
Just keep expectations within those limits.
On my part, I am withdrawing from discussing that front office. I figure just let it play out.

 

Pretty much true. The org has already demonstrated they will side with the HC before they side with the GM. That is why HC of the Steelers is a coveted job. A direct line to the owner, bypassing the GM.

 

i'm not going to be down on omar and weidl because i think MT pushing so much for defense and them and rooney going along with him for the most part. omar and weidl have started building the base which isn't sexy in the eye's of most fans. the offensive and defensive lines.

our drafts have also brought some good defensive players. peyton wilson, herbig, sawyer, yayah, harmon.

how we use howard, wilison and johnson going forward will be possibly better served under a new vision. if it happens who knows but we need to see. the lines have had their moments, the new defenders have had their moments but MT keeps going back to vets especially in situational football. i still think it's about not having to coach them as much as new players. i don't think it's a strength of MT. as i have said, he coaches players instead of football.

he's a situational coach and when the other team changes the situation, he fails. it take ages for him to change something not working. when he does finally the other teams change and it's rinse and repeat. he stays with his new change until it's too late. no innovation.

use your players to THEIR effectiveness instead of YOUR vision of a scheme. square peg, round hole vision that he uses. maybe if he does move on we can truely see omar and weidl's vision of this team.

yes karl we are considered a small market as far as national coverage by media, but we are and have always been one of the top revenue teams for the league. they bring in a lot of money to the league with jersey sales and such. they are a draw. if they keep up this stale vision with this coach that may start to change. i think omar and weidl could be very good if they take the binders off of them once they make the change they really need to make. it's coming but not soon enough for many. the core is there.