Should the Steelers be in rebuild mode?

Hell no, I can't believe some fans want to punt on next season , Ben is too old the schedule is too tough. If they can retain a few of their free agents, and have a good draft, they will still be a playoff contender. Canada's biggest challenge is improving the running game from last in the league.

 

Define rebuild though?

There is a big difference between the scorched earth / tear it down / trade everything for draft picks approach that the Browns and Miami have taken in recent years, and the situation the Steelers are facing, where they are losing 18 free agents (including 8-9 starters), and are old in some really key positions, QB, Left Tackle, Center and Cornerback.

The top seven earners on the Steelers roster account for 71% of their cap allowance, its not sustainable if they want to retain some of the young talent. They need to address that somehow.

They are at the start of a rebuild whether they want to acknowledge it or not. I don't see them as contenders next season. They may sneak in to the last wildcard spot if everything goes right but they are not going to have the depth to make a proper impact on the season imo.

 

This.

 

Id add to this but you said it perfectly. The homers are truly Stevie Wonder Blind on this one. Not even close to a SB challenger the quicker they realize that and start making moves for the future the better off we are.

 

Canada’s biggest challenge is to fix the running game well......

They have no starting RBs they have a horrible and aging OLine they have no money to spend in FA and they have a QB who can’t get under center with 0 mobility. We don’t need an OC we need a damn magician. As I stated in another post we would need about 5 first round picks to fix all that ails us in 1 year.

 

There is no reason to burn this team to the ground and rebuild it. For 11 weeks this was the best team in the NFL.

We need to draft a running back first and foremost. I will get blasted everytime I say this, but Etienne or Harris in the 1st round would be a smart move.

We need Ben to play under center a lot more often. The O line was pitiful, but I dont blame them. The offense was terrible at the end of the year. You can't run the football consistently from the shotgun. Running a more conventional offense will help the O line immensely, even if the same 5 guys were to start.

The other change that needs to be made, is that Ben should no longer be permitted to play through injuries. If he is so banged up that his play is hurting the team, then Rudolph should play until he is healthy enough to play at a high level. Having a healthy Ben come playoff time is more important than having a healthy Ben in week 9. Rudolph may not be the QB of the future but he is better than we fans give him credit for.

Dont blow it up. Tweak it and fix obvious problems. I do not see the 2021 Steelers as Super Bowl contenders. But I definitely think they are a playoff team that will compete to win the AFCN again.

 

Solid post and good points but if you agree we are not good enough to be championship contenders what’s the point? Struggle to 10 wins and get blown out in WC round? To me this city and team used to be about championships. Sad state of affairs with the current owner. This team will be worse next year by sheer loss of free agents than the team that just gave up 50 to Cleveland.

 

They already are in rebuild mode. They, like the Pirates, just aren’t calling it that.

 

I am expecting an 8-8 season of the likes we haven't seen since, well 2019. 8-8 will be a miracle season based on the issues this team has. Steelers don't rebuild, they reload, but sometimes the popcorn machine is low on oil.

 

I have not seen a single post advocating for your first sentence. Your second sentence is false; the record was best, the team clearly not.

Call it a reload or retool if you prefer; a mini rebuild. The team will have many changes.

 

Unfortunately, Rooney feels the same.

 

You're gonna be in big trouble when Stevie sees this!

 

Then you are not reading that many posts.

11-0 record wasn't a lie. Fully healthy this team was playing better than anyone, and I am including the Chiefs in that.

If you think there are going to be "many" changes, you are going to be disappointed. There are going to be "subtle" changes. I'm not saying it's right or wrong. It just is what it is.

 

The Steelers may just surprise us. If they can stay healthy on defense that would go a long way toward us making a more serious playoff push.

Think about the approach the Broncos took during Peyton Manning's last year. A similar approach could work with Ben.

 

History states. If you make it 2 the playoffs you are a SB challenger. Since every playoff spot has won one.

 

Who? I mean what?

 

I think the injuries point is a very important one. Their depth all over the field is going to be decimated with all these guys leaving. I think they can put a competitive team on the field next season but they won’t be able to handle an injury crisis without falling apart again. They really did have wretched luck with injuries in recent years.

There is a world where they have the luck with injuries, great draft class, Ben plays well and they manage to get better on the offensive line and running game. That could be a very good team. Too many things need to go in their favour to be hopeful though, especially with the toughest schedule in the league to contend with.

If you look at the Bills this year they were fully healthy and rolling coming down the stretch, Allen and Diggs having career years. The Steelers would need a season like that if they are to be a playoff team and a serious contender

 

11-0 was a mirage but believe as you wish. In the next 12 months, we're moving on from Ben, Pouncey, AV, Conner, Ebron, Vance, probably Haden, at least one of Bud and Juju, likely one of Sutton and Hilton, possibly Nelson, hopefully Edmunds, and a few others. That sure counts as "many" to me.

 

Like I said you are going to be disappointed.

We are not moving on from Ben. He is coming back. My guess is Pouncey does as well. Ebron isn't going anywhere. I'm not even sure why you would mention him. Fact is, most of the guys you just mentioned will be back.

 

With the exception of moving on from the Ben part most likely.

 

Can't blow this team up yet, they only need 12 players, and a real coach from winning it all, maybe even repeat 4 times. They went 11-0 against the 2nd easiest schedule, and got lucky in most of them, THEY'RE FOR REAL!!! If it wasn't for Bud's injury our high powered offense would've scored 90 points a game.

 

You don't know if they will lose 18 free agents, the salary cap could be higher than expected, which would allow them to retain some of their free agents.

 

Okay HeinzMustard , that's why they have the draft, they will find a starting RB. You don't need first round picks to fill all your needs, last year they had no first round pick and got three future starters in Claypool, Dotson, and Highsmith.

 

I'm not claiming them to be a top Super Bowl contender, but I think they could be a playoff team, they just need to reload.

 

I mean..


None of us knows what the cap will be. For that matter, that information will not be available to the public until mid March at the earliest.