"Pittsburgh Is A B-Minus Team"

Oh boy, second to last paragraph will raise the hackles of a few posters here.

NFL execs unfiltered on free agency: Thoughts on Maxx Crosby controversy and all AFC teams - The Athletic

Pittsburgh Steelers
Added: $45.0M (17th) | Lost: $25.5M (25th) | Differential: $19.5M (12th)

Fans who had grown weary of the good-not-great status quo under former coach Mike Tomlin will have to find someone else to blame if nothing changes this season.

Is there reason to believe anything will change?

“What is the plan? What is the vision?” one exec asked.

For the second offseason in a row, the Steelers are waiting for Aaron Rodgers to decide when he wants to sign with the team and lead the offense. Also, for the second season in a row, the Steelers acquired a veteran receiver by trade: DK Metcalf from Seattle last year, Michael Pittman Jr. from Indianapolis this year. The compensation for Pittman was lower. Has the ceiling gotten higher?

“They got slower,” another exec said of the Pittman addition. “Rico Dowdle is a comfort signing for Mike McCarthy, who had him in Dallas. Mike knows what he’s getting. Pittsburgh, until they figure out who is going to pull the trigger, is a B-minus team.”

It’s going to be Rodgers, almost certainly.

“Nothing flashy,” another exec said of the Steelers’ free agency. “The thing that people may or may not realize, and you’ll see, is that the head coach really kept that thing afloat. Tomlin was able to cover up some deficiencies and get them going. They have some receivers that should be an upgrade. Defensively, when those guys stay healthy, they can play well.

“Are they a Super Bowl-talented team? They can battle for the playoffs, but I do not think they are a Super Bowl team.”

 

i think being a B- team without a QB is a pretty good starting point. i also think that if true of MT and that he kept it afloat, he also was part of the problem as well in many ways, so it's a push.

addition by subtraction also comes into the equation. seomalu was oft injured and playing that way the last couple of years. i don't think he ever fully healed. j. smith was pretty bad for us as well. austin and loudermilk i believe are easily upgradeable. same with heyward. that is 5 guys on the gameday roster that can be upgraded for the better. we also won't have slay for 2/3's of the season this year. elliott back helps right off the bat.

 

if we start a QB not named old man Rodgers or Mason. We might get a better grade, but it is the qb position holding us back.cmon a 42 -43-year-old man or a back-up no way get real. try Howard get a younger free agent do something draft someone Rodgers wont win us a Superbowl.

 

I have a hard time worrying about what people I’ve never met have to say about the team.

 

This right here. And good point on the QB. Get that right and does it turn them into an "A"?

 

It is somewhat likely the QB will be AR who is still a B-

At least to start camp

 

That’s a good way to put it. I agree that MT gave us some advantages but he was part of the problem too. Well put.

 

Last sentence is correct IMO and has been for a long time. Maybe since Bell sat out.

A team that can compete for a playoff spot. But no real chance to do much else.

 

We have some talent on the o line, TE position, and parts of the defense, with no solid Qb, its a good grade.

i dont think Tomlin particularly kept them afloat, they were a 9-8 to 11-6 team with an outside shot to get past the WC round based on their talent. Im hoping the new coaching staff will upgrade a few spots and better utilize the talent with their offensive play calling and defensive philosophy.

Challenge will be who will play Qb (43 year old AR?) and Watt continues to get older and probably less productive.

 

The Steelers have been the Charlotte Bobcats of the 2000's the last decade.