Who will be the first rookie to earn a starting role?

You do make up some funny stuff

 

I can be funny at times.




Beat Writer: Omar, with Broderick Jones likely starting the year on PUP and teams calling about trade offers — even a 7th-rounder — are you actively shopping him?

Omar Khan: Trade offers? I only got two calls this morning. One from my wife asking what I want for dinner, and the other from Art Rooney asking why the hell we keep drafting offensive linemen who can’t stay healthy.

Beat Writer: So you’re denying he’s available?

Omar Khan: I’m not saying he’s available, I’m not saying he’s not. What I am saying is thank the chief we finally played Darnell Cook after the last regime treated him like a practice squad body. You remember Cook, right? The guy who actually played well while Jones was busy getting hurt again?

Beat Writer: So you’re admitting the last regime screwed up the Jones pick?

Omar Khan: Screwed up? We’ve had a whole damn parade of first-round disasters. Pickett, Harris, Bush, Edmunds…throws Colbert under the bus. This franchise has turned the first round into a participation trophy ceremony. At this rate the 2026 pick will be memes before training camp.


Beat Writer: Bold strategy reaching for Max Iheanachor then. Lots of people thought there were way better players on the board.

Omar Khan: Yeah, because listening to keyboard warriors and beat writers has worked out so well for us in the past. Next question.

Beat Writer: I'll be sure to quote you on that.

Omar Khan: Perfect. Tell that clown JEH I said hi. and that the offensive line will be fine.
Probably.
Maybe.

 

That actually was funny

But you still haven’t answered my question on why you and your like hide behind clowns

 

RE: Rookie to Gain starting status?
I think Germie Bernard is one.
Wetjen probably on Special Teams.

It's like 18 days till camp and that's when things will start shaping up a lot better.

I like the hype around Dunker, but until after the 28th, he's just a pro in shorts and a helmet.
To be clear, I do hope he plays as I think he can.

The Broderick Jones conundrum.
Jones in person always reminds me of Tre Johnson when he was first drafted.
I've watched him practice and he has tons of athletic ability it always is overshadowed by his decision making. Gotta say, that's very frustrating.
Campen is a pretty solid coach and I have a LOT of faith in his approach and his ability to hammer out a decent product. He may be make Jones what he is capable of being.
The injury is concerning and I'll reserve comment on that for now.
Dylan Cook plays hard but is a steep step down in natural talent from Jones. Maybe he makes it up with heart?

I think this is a learning year for Max. I don't see him starting.

As far as the Offensive line in total, I think the left side is where Campen has the most work to do.
Campen has some pretty interesting talent to move around and try to get the most from. I think he's up to that challenge.

As far as Offensive sets...
11 sets (1 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE) are what I think maybe be base.
But I see McCarthy and Angelichio running all the sets or any combo based on the game plan set in place.

• 10 personnel: 1 RB, 0 TE (typically 3 WR)
• 11 personnel: 1 RB, 1 TE (typically 3 WR)
• 12 personnel: 1 RB, 2 TE
• 13 personnel: 0 RB, 3 TE (more “heavy” at TE)
• 20 personnel: 2 RB, 0 TE
• 21 personnel: 2 RB, 1 TE
• 22 personnel: 2 RB, 2 TE
• 23 personnel: 2 RB, 3 TE
• 30 personnel: 0 RB, 3 TE
• Empty: 0 RB, 0 TE (often 5 WR)
• Goal-line/Jumbo (heavy): typically 2+ TE and/or extra linemen (team- and scheme-specific wording)

Brian Angelichio is known for an offense built around the passing game—specifically improving the aerial attack and leveraging the tight end as part of the passing concepts. He is offset by McCarthy who 'wants' to establish the ground attack.
Washington is an interesting player. He's a big man out there and can crush in the blocking game as well as just nimble enough to slip out and catch a ball and scare the crap out of some DB's. He presents more a "run outta of the 11 set" threat because he is good at either. Muth is not a great blocker, he is just good enough. I think Muth remains primary TE but Washington can definitely add some moments.

I think Wilson has a tall mountain to cross to get in the game. Rogers' could not trust him last season.
I'm all for giving him a last chance, but I have my eye open in the roster trim downs and no doubt better can be had if no improvement.

 

Some things are worth repeating

 

Hmm...

I don’t usually hide behind clowns, but when I do, there’s a reason.

They’re bigger targets and surprisingly good at ducking responsibility.

Stay thirsty, my friend. Camp is upon us.

 

That was a good post.

On Muth, I’m expecting him to be a much bigger factor in the passing game in 2026. Look for him to run more intermediate and deeper routes. On Wilson just wait. The man is the quickest WR on the Steelers roster and maybe the second-fastest overall. He’s shown reliable hands, he’s out of the doghouse, and he’s finally playing under McCarthy. I am excited to see what he can do. .On Jones, even at 100% healthy he’s a so-so NFL tackle at best. He already has 38 starts under his belt, so most of his upside is behind him. He’s been banged up too many times There’s only so many times a player can come back from injuries. He just doesn’t stick to his man consistently. I hope the Steelers can trade him for something...even a 7th round pick.

 

Same

 

Money, and draft capital normally weigh in a lot until they can't let it. Its the nature of the business, so I agree

 

With the uncertainty about Jones future Max was probably the last first round worthy OL on their board.

 

This may well be the end of Broderick Jones' career.
But Campen is a guy that might tap into that head..
Of course, the neck injury might render everything moot.

We're going to find out starting the 28th.

 

OL>Safety