Pickens being traded to Dallas?

[Fiji Mariner]

that is not what they are doing, or Watt, Minkah and especially Heyward would have been moved prior to the draft.

And there would be a new HC/OC/DC

Nothing close to a rebuild, you nailed that!

This is simply another in a long line of cases of a coach not knowing how to keep a team in line/disciplined…so talent walks out the door cuz the coach can’t reach players.

Tomlin’s not a disciplinarian, he’s not a tactician, he’s not an innovator in regards to in game coaching…at this point I really don’t see what message of any value he brings beyond stability.

The problem is that stability is firmly planted quite well in mediocrity.

Expect more of the same, unmotivated performances and talented players that know they can just wiggle their way out of his dumpster should they just be a pointy enough thorn in his side.

At least it is an ever so slightly above average shiny dumpster and not a full blown Cleveland Stains dumpster fire. The new age Steelers standard “at least we’re not the Browns”

They’ll just tape this together with: one less talented receiver, an easily schemed out of the game generational LB, a fringe of HOF DE on his last leg and a potential impact player 20 yards away from the LOS all while using the same dog schemes and “hope it works better” this time.

One of these seasons it’s bound to work, right?

 

[Confluence]

the standard is substandard

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

I doubt money will be what makes Arch Manning decide to stay or leave. He's already made millions. If he has a good enough season to leave early, it's because he's seen as a top 5 pick.

I bet he will look at the teams with the top picks. If they think he'll go to a solid organization, he'll leave. If he sees the Jets lurking, he'll stay in school.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

Well, we're not playing so pick one.

1.Wish they win
2. Hope they win

yes

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

I think we are dooming the kid with hype when he has barley seen the field. He could flop. Who knows. Someone none of us are talking about could be the top pick. It is a crap shoot completely.

It’s not a crap shoot.

There’s good scouting and bad scouting.

There’s teams that will provide the right environment for a 1st round QB and there’s teams that will make it very hard prosper due to the environment. All the more reason to hope Tomlin retires after this year before we draft another 1st round QB

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Just a question here Tape. I’ve read several times how they have the ammo now to move up in the draft. And while I realize it’s a year away…..I certainly think we need a hell of a lot more than a bunch of 3rds to move up. I have no idea how this season will go,but assuming we draft anywhere from 15-21st. I’m not a college football guy. I hear a lot about Manning and hey….maybe he goes #1. But the guy has thrown for 94 passes in his career and would be nuts to declare in my humble opinion. Especially with the financial security now available in the college market. And for us to move up that far would take multiple firsts. So I am also assuming there are multiple QB’s with potential to be drafted in say the top 20. I know you’ve got your finger on the pulse of college football. I know it’s early,but who should we be looking at in the upcoming season. Unbiased of course

The biggest difference with the 26 class compared to 25 is the 25 class really only had 3 guys with actual 1st round talent. Ward, Dart, Milroe. With Milroe being a project, he fell a bit.

The 26 class looks to have a bunch of guys with much higher upside. Early mocks i've seen have 5 QBs in the top 20.

The most common names at the top are
Arch Manning Texas - most think he will stay another year
Drew Allar Penn State
Cade Klubnik Clemson
Garrett Mussmeier LSU

Lanorris Sellers South Carolina is likely the all or nothing high upside guy.

Here's a PFF article with top 10 to watch

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-10-quarterbacks-to-know-2026-nfl-draft

 

[ExUSAF]

The biggest difference with the 26 class compared to 25 is the 25 class really only had 3 guys with actual 1st round talent. Ward, Dart, Milroe. With Milroe being a project, he fell a bit.

The 26 class looks to have a bunch of guys with much higher upside. Early mocks i've seen have 5 QBs in the top 20.

The most common names at the top are
Arch Manning Texas - most think he will stay another year
Drew Allar Penn State
Cade Klubnik Clemson
Garrett Mussmeier LSU

Lanorris Sellers South Carolina is likely the all or nothing high upside guy.

Here's a PFF article with top 10 to watch

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-10-quarterbacks-to-know-2026-nfl-draft

I'm not sold on Allar. Physically he has the tools but he just seems to be off and makes bone-headed decisions at critical times. Maybe it's coaching but if it's coaching he needs, the last place he needs to come to is Pittsburgh.

 

[SteelerFan448]

The biggest difference with the 26 class compared to 25 is the 25 class really only had 3 guys with actual 1st round talent. Ward, Dart, Milroe. With Milroe being a project, he fell a bit.

The 26 class looks to have a bunch of guys with much higher upside. Early mocks i've seen have 5 QBs in the top 20.

The most common names at the top are
Arch Manning Texas - most think he will stay another year
Drew Allar Penn State
Cade Klubnik Clemson
Garrett Mussmeier LSU

Lanorris Sellers South Carolina is likely the all or nothing high upside guy.

Here's a PFF article with top 10 to watch

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-10-quarterbacks-to-know-2026-nfl-draft

He may get selected in the first, but I don't see Klubnik as first-round talent. We need guys like Sellers, Iamaleava, and other physically gifted QBs to step up this season.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

It’s not a crap shoot.

There’s good scouting and bad scouting.

There’s teams that will provide the right environment for a 1st round QB and there’s teams that will make it very hard prosper due to the environment. All the more reason to hope Tomlin retires after this year before we draft another 1st round QB

Drafting a QB is an absolute crap shoot. It is the hardest position to draft and the highest rate of busts. There are only a handful of franchise QBs in the league. Hell, there are not even 32 true starting QBs in the league. No coach is winning a Super Bowl without a top QB and some luck.

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

Drafting a QB is an absolute crap shoot. It is the hardest position to draft and the highest rate of busts. There are only a handful of franchise QBs in the league. Hell, there are not even 32 true starting QBs in the league. No coach is winning a Super Bowl without a top QB and some luck.

Hurts isn’t a top QB. A good coach can make it work with a good, not great QB.

Everything you say is just a thinly veiled excuse set up for Tomlin. If we drafted Hurts he’d be on the scrap heap by now because Tomlin can’t provide an environment for a QB to succeed now that he fully controls the offensive philosophy in the post Ben era

 

[SteveA]

RYAN CLARK SAID ON FIRST TAKE "I talked to George Pickens a number of times"...

Stephen A pushed him on why Ryan Clarks influence didn't change Pickens He started to say he wouldn't listen but he caught himself...

Pickens is soley responsible for George Pickens being gone...He will realize it in about 15 years

 

[SteveA]

Hurts isn’t a top QB.

In what way? Skill? Arm strength? Not the most accurate passer? The QB is the LEADER of the team...And is responsible more than any other player on the field for Wins & Losses

Hurts' College QB record as a starter 38-4
His NFL QB record as a starter 46-20
Plus throw in a 6-3 Play-Off Record...

With the Playoffs & he is 90-27 & a he is a Super Bowl winning QB...

How can a Quarteback with a 90-27 record not be a Top QB?

 

[KentuckySteeler]

Hurts isn’t a top QB. A good coach can make it work with a good, not great QB.

Everything you say is just a thinly veiled excuse set up for Tomlin. If we drafted Hurts he’d be on the scrap heap by now because Tomlin can’t provide an environment for a QB to succeed now that he fully controls the offensive philosophy in the post Ben era

Even Metcalf will want out after a year or two of Tomlin. Tomlin being the coach makes Rooney feel warm and fuzzy inside. The once vaunted franchise has been destroyed because Rooney wants to “do his part”. Ill just leave it at that.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I wonder how well BEN ROETHLISBERGER would have done had the Tomlin been his drafting coach.???

I’m not talking 2004, I’m talking currently.



Salute the nation

 

[diver]

I wonder how well BEN ROETHLISBERGER would have done had the Tomlin been his drafting coach.???

I’m not talking 2004, I’m talking currently.



Salute the nation

He would have done well. I really believe that. Great players, all of them, have to overcome coaching to some degree.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

In what way? Skill? Arm strength? Not the most accurate passer? The QB is the LEADER of the team...And is responsible more than any other player on the field for Wins & Losses

Hurts' College QB record as a starter 38-4
His NFL QB record as a starter 46-20
Plus throw in a 6-3 Play-Off Record...

With the Playoffs & he is 90-27 & a he is a Super Bowl winning QB...

How can a Quarteback with a 90-27 record not be a Top QB?

What was Stetson Bennett’s record in college?

Here’s some other SB winning QBs. Jeff Hostetler, Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson, Joe Flacco, Nick Foles,

Sometimes a great team lifts up a mediocre QB. Eagles would have beaten the chiefs if Pickett started that game.

Hurts was benched by Alabama during the Championship game. He’s a perfect fit in Philly because they do a lot of RPO so it fits his skill set and hides his weaknesses. Carson Wentz was going to win league MVP before he was injured and Foles took over and won the SB.

I’m not saying Hurts stinks but he’s not a top 10 QB. If he was on Tenn last year, he would have stunk. Few QBs would have done well there.

QB I’d rather have start right now over Hurts, in no order
Mahomes
allen
Burrow
Stroud
Jayden Daniels
Lamar
Stafford
Herbert
Baker Mayfield
Kyler Murray
Rodgers if he’s still playing

Hurts would start over the following guys today but if I was drafting for the future, I’d draft ahead of Hurts
Bo Nix, Jordan Love, Drake Maye, Caleb Williams,

Hurts doesn’t stink but He’s not a top QB. He’s a guy on a really good team, with a great OL, run game and defense who fits the scheme. He’s like Goff.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

It's a sad reality that this conversation is focusing on 2026.

 

[bigben]

Hurts isn’t a top QB. A good coach can make it work with a good, not great QB.

Everything you say is just a thinly veiled excuse set up for Tomlin. If we drafted Hurts he’d be on the scrap heap by now because Tomlin can’t provide an environment for a QB to succeed now that he fully controls the offensive philosophy in the post Ben era

You don't need a top QB When you are elite everywhere outside of kicker with the Best RB in the league putting up historic numbers. No Barkley, No superbowl. simple as that.
Unlike the Giants and Steelers the Eagles recognize the power of a generational talent and pay accordingly.

 

[diver]

It's a sad reality that this conversation is focusing on 2026.

It's not a sad reality is it really? This is what we want I thought. I read a lot here how we are willing to endure a rough year or two to get that QB, for example.

I actually took heart out of the draft this year. I thought if they took a QB high, they weren't learning anything. Drafting the way they have, building the lines (if it works out) gives me some hope. Getting rid of Pickens gives me some hope. I'm tired of watching talented 14 year olds running around out there.

 

[Drink IRON City]

It's not a sad reality is it really? This is what we want I thought. I read a lot here how we are willing to endure a rough year or two to get that QB, for example.

I actually took heart out of the draft this year. I thought if they took a QB high, they weren't learning anything. Drafting the way they have, building the lines (if it works out) gives me some hope. Getting rid of Pickens gives me some hope. I'm tired of watching talented 14 year olds running around out there.

Many screamed “oh my gosh this or oh my gosh that”, when the trade of Pickens was m add public. Oh they could have gotten way better, why didn’t they do it before the draft…………..

The best offer they had PRE-draft was a 4th rounder. That right there tells me us fans have him over-valued.

We got a 3rd and a 5th, seems about right. He is a head case, came out of college with the entire NFL GMs saying that if someone could do anything with him, it would have to be Coach Tomlin (the whisperer).

Having him gone now, forces us to get his replacement ready. He wasn’t a WR1, DK is a WR1. Woods / Wilson / CA3 can tag team the #2 & 3 WR positions for now.

Lunar’s White Castle and Home Depot girls can also be tagged teamed.



Salute the nation

 

[jitter77]

What was Stetson Bennett’s record in college?

Here’s some other SB winning QBs. Jeff Hostetler, Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson, Joe Flacco, Nick Foles,

Sometimes a great team lifts up a mediocre QB. Eagles would have beaten the chiefs if Pickett started that game.

Hurts was benched by Alabama during the Championship game. He’s a perfect fit in Philly because they do a lot of RPO so it fits his skill set and hides his weaknesses. Carson Wentz was going to win league MVP before he was injured and Foles took over and won the SB.

I’m not saying Hurts stinks but he’s not a top 10 QB. If he was on Tenn last year, he would have stunk. Few QBs would have done well there.

QB I’d rather have start right now over Hurts, in no order
Mahomes
allen
Burrow
Stroud
Jayden Daniels
Lamar
Stafford
Herbert
Baker Mayfield
Kyler Murray
Rodgers if he’s still playing

Hurts would start over the following guys today but if I was drafting for the future, I’d draft ahead of Hurts
Bo Nix, Jordan Love, Drake Maye, Caleb Williams,

Hurts doesn’t stink but He’s not a top QB. He’s a guy on a really good team, with a great OL, run game and defense who fits the scheme. He’s like Goff.

I agree with most of these, but Stroud declined a bit so the book is still out on him. I would take Hurts every day over the last 3.

 

[NorthernBlitz]

I doubt money will be what makes Arch Manning decide to stay or leave. He's already made millions. If he has a good enough season to leave early, it's because he's seen as a top 5 pick.

I bet he will look at the teams with the top picks. If they think he'll go to a solid organization, he'll leave. If he sees the Jets lurking, he'll stay in school.

Seems to me like he'll come out if he's the clearly 1OA pick. Otherwise, stay in school.

 

[steel dino]

For all you “youth challenged”individuals out there…
This Pickens ordeal reminds me a whole lot of the Roy Jefferson ordeal back in the day..
Story of these two former very talented Steeler wideouts is eriely similar ..
Btw.. Roy went on the have a pretty darn
Good career, and would of made mucho deniro in todays NFL..
For all you born post 1980.. Crank up the google machine on Roy Jefferson !

 

[SteveA]

QB I’d rather have start right now over Hurts, in no order
Mahomes
allen
Burrow
Stroud
Jayden Daniels
Lamar
Stafford
Herbert
Baker Mayfield
Kyler Murray
Rodgers if he’s still playing

Hurts doesn’t stink but He’s not a top QB. He’s like Goff.

Naw your 10 are based on talent alone, not being an elite QUARTERBACK that knows how to WIN and LEAD....Huge difference...really huge

I love Baker but no ...Stroud absolutely not...Kyler Murray ? No chance....Herbert is one game over .500 and isn't clutch at all....Talented yes but as a winner hasn't shown it at all....Those 4 gotta go...GOFF is ahead of all of them too...

And you would take Rodgers over Hurts under center for us? I can't believe I just read that...You would want Rodgers over Hurts under center for the Steelers right now?

Not seeing that at all...

 

[diver]

Many screamed “oh my gosh this or oh my gosh that”, when the trade of Pickens was m add public. Oh they could have gotten way better, why didn’t they do it before the draft…………..

The best offer they had PRE-draft was a 4th rounder. That right there tells me us fans have him over-valued.

We got a 3rd and a 5th, seems about right. He is a head case, came out of college with the entire NFL GMs saying that if someone could do anything with him, it would have to be Coach Tomlin (the whisperer).

Having him gone now, forces us to get his replacement ready. He wasn’t a WR1, DK is a WR1. Woods / Wilson / CA3 can tag team the #2 & 3 WR positions for now.

Lunar’s White Castle and Home Depot girls can also be tagged teamed.



Salute the nation

I know some people are mad at Kahn for whatever reason, but I think the last 3 drafts might be an indication of an increase of the influence of guys like Kahn and Weidl and a little less of Tomlin. I think that is important. I don't think he is the horrible coach others do...I would have moved on, but I don't blame him for everything from the Titanic to 911...but I'm glad maybe his influence is a little less when shopping.