The Offseason is On now!

[madinsomniac]

What do you think we are gonna do:

Current Cap Space :
41 million and change

Reworkable contracts:
TJ, Mincah, Cam, Freirmuth, Highsmith, Queen, Seamalu

Guys probably getting cut: (freed cap space)
Cole Holcomb (+6,000,000)
Preston Smith (+13,400,000)
Larry Ogunjobi (+7,000,000)
Cordarelle Patterson (2,700,000)
(A couple extra million could be freed cutting seveal of these guys post June 1st and splitting half their dead money into next season)

Free agents:
Quarterback
Russell Wilson 36
Justin Fields 26
Kyle Allen 28

Running Back
Najee Harris 26
Jaylen Warren*** RFA 26

Wide Receiver
Van Jefferson 28
Mike Williams 30
Scott Miller 28
Ben Skowronek 27

Tight End
MyCole Pruitt 32

Offensive Tackle
Dan Moore Jr. 26
Calvin Anderson 28
Center
Ryan McCollum *** ERFA 26

Guard
James Daniels 27
Nate Herbig 26
Max Scharping 28

Defensive Line
Isaiahh Loudermilk 27

Edge Rusher
Jeremiah Moon *** ERFA 25

Inside Linebacker
Elandon Roberts 30
Tyler Matakevich 32

Safety
Damontae Kazee 31

Cornerback
Donte Jackson 29
Cameron Sutton 29
C.J. Henderson 26
James Pierre 28

-----------------------
Draft picks:
Round 1, Pick 21

Round 2, Pick 52

Round 3, Pick 83

Round 4, Pick 122

Round 5, Pick 157 (from LAR)

Round 7, Pick 223 (from NO)

Round 7, Pick 229 (from ATL)

Round 7, Pick 242 (from WAS)

 

[BLITZ]

resign Fields, Harris, DJ(CB), kazee, roberts.

Hope Dan Moore gets a huge contract
hope Wilson gets a huge contract( i mean he was in the pro bowl!)

resign Daniels??

 

[ZonaBurgh]

What do you think we are gonna do:

1. Draft undersized but quick players at no particular position.
2. Wait until free agency is over, or very close to it, and choose from the scrap heap.
3. Start out 6-1 and end up 9-8.
4. Posting here next year at this time wondering what they will do.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Great write up. Very organized and efficiently tells the situation. There is an easy 28 million in the top 4. Preston Smith might be tge easiest decision cut in the history of football. Those cuts should cover the Q. They will get. I'd bring back Warren, Skoronek and maybe Jackson. Not really anyone else unless we are talking lowball money. I like Roberts, but he is pretty limited in pass. You'd be better off getting a true nose and keeping Queen and the other kid in.
It's gonna be a hard sell saying we wouldn't play Fields when the team was clearly leaking oil and making him a 30 million starter. I got a feeling it will be Russ.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

What I think they will do?!?!

I heard Lowe’s is running a sale square pegs!!!

I saw Steelers brass racing down there at about 120 mph to go scoop em up before they sell out.

QB-
Bring Cousins in on a deal where Falcons pay 80% of the freight
Resign Allen for “continuity” in the room

RB-
Pair Warren with a draft pick (5th round) and square peg FA from the sale down at Lowe’s

WR-
Pickens plays out last year then comp pick
Resign Van cuz he’ll be cheap
Resign Skowronek
Bring in Square Peg FA from the scrap heap
Draft WR in round 2
Pray Roman Wilson doesn’t suck
Pray CA3 makes a leap

TE-
Pruitt/square peg FA/ or 7th rnd flyer added to
Muth and Washington

OL-
Does it even matter with Meyer?
Let Moore Walk McCullom returns as RFA
Bring back Daniels if he’ll take a cheap 1-2 prove it deal coming off injury
A square peg FA and/or possible late round flyer (7th) completes the room

DL-
1st round addition to pair with Benton and Cam
Cut Larry let Loudermilk walk
Add a 3rd-4th rounder in draft as well
May need to paste a square peg from the sale in here too

LB-
Obviously Moon returns as he’s cheap
Preston cut if he doesn’t restructure
Try to bring back Robert’s if he’s cheap

DBs-
Resign action Jackson
Draft a slot guy (3rd-4th)
Square peg boundary FA CB

No need to restructure Minkah-still plenty of room under cap
Draft a S late (7th) for depth
Square peg FA safety from scrap heap

Hopefully get more than 1-2 punts from the overpaid Punter this season
Watch Boz repeat as MVP

Presto no real chango and strive for 9-8

These are not the moves endorsed by Fiji or those views represented by any sane Steeler fan but simply what I think they will do in the quest for mediocrity…aka “the standard”

 

[Drink IRON City]

Russ Wilson will NOT be back, ruffled to many internal feathers.

The play is for Justin Fields, a possible high draft pick / draft pick regardless, and quite possible lowball FA or Allen.

Cut Harris & draft 4/5th round RB

I see an attempt to sign Moore for to much $$$ and Broderick has to earn the job, another failed year,
Broderick needs to show up with muscle & not blubber.

First three rounds (not in order, but VALUE has to be there). WR / DL / CB

Keep Loudermilk for cheap depth

No matter what, do NOT bring Sutton back for any reason. If he forgot his wallet in his locker…… mail it to him

Kazee low ball, need someone who can ****-ing hit

Bring BEN in for training camp to work with QBs coach

FIRE Meyers before the ink dries on this post

Hire Fiji to be Lowe’s complete fire sale peg representative, he answers to no one…. Not even Art 2

My two cents


Salute the nation

 

[madinsomniac]

My guess
Cut the guys I listed
Extend TJ out

Who i think they will Resign:
Skowronek (as a ST ace)
Warren ( RFAs never leave unless the team doesnt want them)
McCollum- the backup C
Calvin Andersen- the backup T
Herbig- a good backup interior lineman
Loudermilk- backup rotational DL
Matakevich ( another ST ace)
DJ (the cb)- ultimately he may be CB3
Roberts ( they need a third semi starter level ILB and he is cheaper than Holcomb and better at runstuffing
At QB, who knows... the guys who usually read the tea leaves right say Wilson, but the loudest group of fans abd media wants Fields...

Whichever it is will be for too much...

Guys I'm mostly hoping they dont resign:

pruitt- id rather find a young guy with more upside
Sutton- good gosh he looked like toast
Pierre- we always have too many ST aces and not a big enough return on that investment... just get another young cb with upside
Van Jefferson .. if you dont give the OC a blocking only wr, he might use one that actually makes plays downfield...
Kazee.. i loved the guy, but he is a heavy hitting soon to be 32 year old safety.. just give Bishop his role ... if you want an older safety/ slot cb, just sign Hilton again...

The rest are take it or leave it... id probably rather have a cheap young RB than an expensive Najee, but im not opposed to him coming back if the price is right... which it wont be...

 

[SteelerSask2]

I thought watching that lard *** Patterson run back kicks was the most entertaining aspect. Like it epitomized everything. Like if you can't see the other teams are purposely forcing him to return the ball.......what more needs to be said.

 

[Litos]

I thought watching that lard *** Patterson run back kicks was the most entertaining aspect. Like it epitomized everything. Like if you can't see the other teams are purposely forcing him to return the ball.......what more needs to be said.

didn't it remind you of Dump Davenport returning kicks?

 

[MT~Forged]

What do you think we are gonna do:

WHAT I WOULD DO

Current Cap Space :
41 million and change

Reworkable contracts:
TJ, Mincah, Cam, Freirmuth, Highsmith, Queen, Seamalu

Extend, Extend, Stand, Stand, Stand, Stand, Cut

Guys probably getting cut: (freed cap space)
Cole Holcomb (+6,000,000)
Preston Smith (+13,400,000)
Larry Ogunjobi (+7,000,000)
Cordarelle Patterson (2,700,000)
(A couple extra million could be freed cutting seveal of these guys post June 1st and splitting half their dead money into next season)

All correct moves

Free agents:
Quarterback
Russell Wilson 36
Justin Fields 26
Kyle Allen 28

Thanks for your service
Sign a B/U Deal plus incentives to pay as the highest
Sign a B/U Deal plus incentives to pay as the highest

Running Back
Najee Harris 26
Jaylen Warren*** RFA 26

Offer slightly more than his 5th year option, but less than he wants on a 3 year deal
Offer a new deal with incentives

Wide Receiver
Van Jefferson 28
Mike Williams 30
Scott Miller 28
Ben Skowronek 27

Pass
Offer cheap 2 year deal
Pass
Resign 3 years

Tight End
MyCole Pruitt 32

Pass

Offensive Tackle
Dan Moore Jr. 26
Calvin Anderson 28
Center
Ryan McCollum *** ERFA 26

Pass
Pass
Offer cheap 3 year deal

Guard
James Daniels 27
Nate Herbig 26
Max Scharping 28

Pass
Pass
Pass

Defensive Line
Isaiahh Loudermilk 27

Pass

Edge Rusher
Jeremiah Moon *** ERFA 25

Offer cheap 4 year deal

Inside Linebacker
Elandon Roberts 30
Tyler Matakevich 32

Resign, hopefully a fair $ 3 year deal
Pass

Safety
Damontae Kazee 31

Pass

Cornerback
Donte Jackson 29
Cameron Sutton 29
C.J. Henderson 26
James Pierre 28

Try to resign 2-3 year deal
Pass
Pass
Pass

-----------------------
Draft picks:
Round 1, Pick 21

DT or DT

Round 2, Pick 52

WR or CB

Round 3, Pick 83

CB or WR

Round 4, Pick 122

OG or CB

Round 5, Pick 157 (from LAR)

QB if #4-7 are still an option

Round 7, Pick 223 (from NO)

Round 7, Pick 229 (from ATL)

Round 7, Pick 242 (from WAS)

BPA last 3-4 picks

UDFA - 2 QB’s

 

[Confluence]

Trade Minkah

 

[TDX27]

Just a thought on Pickens - does anyone really think the diva will show up or will he hold out. I definitely think he holds out for a new contract. If they do get through this season and decide to tag him, he will definitely hold out then. You either think he is so good that they can deal with his nonsense and sign him to a huge contract or you trade him for maybe a 3rd round pick if you are lucky.

 

[BLITZ]

With all the other teams watching how dominate the eagles front 4 is, I am afraid 31 other teams draft dlinemen earlier than normal. Steeler need to dbl dip at the position

 

[insaniti]

Just a thought on Pickens - does anyone really think the diva will show up or will he hold out. I definitely think he holds out for a new contract. If they do get through this season and decide to tag him, he will definitely hold out then. You either think he is so good that they can deal with his nonsense and sign him to a huge contract or you trade him for maybe a 3rd round pick if you are lucky.

If he doesn't want to be here long term, why would he hold out? That's what a lot of people are speculating anyway. I just don't get all the hate he's getting right now. He's only 23 years old (he'll be 24 in March), this will be his 4th year in the league. He's been on a team with Canada as an OC, and now Smith but questions at QB. The fans are so frustrated that they are buying billboards, but Pickens isn't allowed to be frustrated. He only had two games all year where he was targeted over 10 times, once with Fields once with Wilson. Compare that to Justin Jefferson, he had 4 games over 11 targets, and 5 more at 9. Pickens isn't the issue he's made out to be, he's the only WR on the roster. Even Austin's "breakout" year is barely WR3 numbers. Get him a legit WR2 and watch how different things will be.

He's not costing us games (unlike what the media is trying to spew), he's not causing off field issues, he doesn't have legal issues... Just look at the interviews he's had, the media baits him over and over and over again. He's eccentric, he's colorful, he's a character, and he's LOADED with talent. Talent that's being wasted as much as TJ Watt. Another thing he hasn't done, demanded a trade...something we've seen and seeing now throughout the league.

IF they trade him, and we only get a 3rd for him, we were robbed.

I just don't get it. NO ONE is AB. Just forget how he left things, you can't even compare DJ to AB. They are all different.

 

[BLITZ]

If he doesn't want to be here long term, why would he hold out? That's what a lot of people are speculating anyway. I just don't get all the hate he's getting right now. He's only 23 years old (he'll be 24 in March), this will be his 4th year in the league. He's been on a team with Canada as an OC, and now Smith but questions at QB. The fans are so frustrated that they are buying billboards, but Pickens isn't allowed to be frustrated. He only had two games all year where he was targeted over 10 times, once with Fields once with Wilson. Compare that to Justin Jefferson, he had 4 games over 11 targets, and 5 more at 9. Pickens isn't the issue he's made out to be, he's the only WR on the roster. Even Austin's "breakout" year is barely WR3 numbers. Get him a legit WR2 and watch how different things will be.

He's not costing us games (unlike what the media is trying to spew), he's not causing off field issues, he doesn't have legal issues... Just look at the interviews he's had, the media baits him over and over and over again. He's eccentric, he's colorful, he's a character, and he's LOADED with talent. Talent that's being wasted as much as TJ Watt. Another thing he hasn't done, demanded a trade...something we've seen and seeing now throughout the league.

IF they trade him, and we only get a 3rd for him, we were robbed.

I just don't get it. NO ONE is AB. Just forget how he left things, you can't even compare DJ to AB. They are all different.

All that being said, if someone offers a 1st rd pick they should jump on it

 

[Coryea]

If he doesn't want to be here long term, why would he hold out? That's what a lot of people are speculating anyway. I just don't get all the hate he's getting right now. He's only 23 years old (he'll be 24 in March), this will be his 4th year in the league. He's been on a team with Canada as an OC, and now Smith but questions at QB. The fans are so frustrated that they are buying billboards, but Pickens isn't allowed to be frustrated. He only had two games all year where he was targeted over 10 times, once with Fields once with Wilson. Compare that to Justin Jefferson, he had 4 games over 11 targets, and 5 more at 9. Pickens isn't the issue he's made out to be, he's the only WR on the roster. Even Austin's "breakout" year is barely WR3 numbers. Get him a legit WR2 and watch how different things will be.

He's not costing us games (unlike what the media is trying to spew), he's not causing off field issues, he doesn't have legal issues... Just look at the interviews he's had, the media baits him over and over and over again. He's eccentric, he's colorful, he's a character, and he's LOADED with talent. Talent that's being wasted as much as TJ Watt. Another thing he hasn't done, demanded a trade...something we've seen and seeing now throughout the league.

IF they trade him, and we only get a 3rd for him, we were robbed.

I just don't get it. NO ONE is AB. Just forget how he left things, you can't even compare DJ to AB. They are all different.

no one said he's not allowed to be frustrated, but no one else is half assing it on the field like he does, no one else is saying I didn't want to try because I didn't want to get hurt, no one else is blaming the snow.

 

[insaniti]

All that being said, if someone offers a 1st rd pick they should jump on it

If someone offers a 1st, absolutely jump on it. But then you also create another big hole in the process. And you better draft two stud WR's, AND trade for/sign a non scrap heap type guy.

 

[insaniti]

no one said he's not allowed to be frustrated, but no one else is half assing it on the field like he does, no one else is saying I didn't want to try because I didn't want to get hurt, no one else is blaming the snow.

You keep referencing things from LAST YEAR. This half assing BS is just that too. I can go team to team, if a run play is set up to run to the right, and the WR on is on the left, they do the same thing. The media has made him a focal point, and you buy into it. You are latching on to false narratives on the guy.

His actual quotes on the snow:

"Conditions played a huge, huge part in today's game," Pickens said. "I don't really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions kind of saved them today."

"The snow, the conditions were so bad," he said. "I don't even think the QB could see sometimes. And when you got conditions like that, at the opponents' home field, it kind of plays in their favor."

I don't see what he said that was wrong. This was also the game where the DB's were allowed to grab, pull, hold, and tackle him all game without a single penalty. Newsome grabbed him and pulled him from the 10 out of the back of the endzone on the games final hail mary attempt. A game that Herbig was held blatantly as Winston walked in for the game sealing TD. That game was a mess from multiple standpoints. But sure, keep piling on Pickens.

 

[BLITZ]

You keep referencing things from LAST YEAR. This half assing BS is just that too. I can go team to team, if a run play is set up to run to the right, and the WR on is on the left, they do the same thing. The media has made him a focal point, and you buy into it. You are latching on to false narratives on the guy.

His actual quotes on the snow:

"Conditions played a huge, huge part in today's game," Pickens said. "I don't really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions kind of saved them today."

"The snow, the conditions were so bad," he said. "I don't even think the QB could see sometimes. And when you got conditions like that, at the opponents' home field, it kind of plays in their favor."

I don't see what he said that was wrong. This was also the game where the DB's were allowed to grab, pull, hold, and tackle him all game without a single penalty. Newsome grabbed him and pulled him from the 10 out of the back of the endzone on the games final hail mary attempt. A game that Herbig was held blatantly as Winston walked in for the game sealing TD. That game was a mess from multiple standpoints. But sure, keep piling on Pickens.

Nothing against Pickens. I just think if someone offers a lot of draft capital, they should jump on it before he gets away for nothing, or he is paid a lot of $$$ to stay

 

[Coryea]

You keep referencing things from LAST YEAR. This half assing BS is just that too. I can go team to team, if a run play is set up to run to the right, and the WR on is on the left, they do the same thing. The media has made him a focal point, and you buy into it. You are latching on to false narratives on the guy.

His actual quotes on the snow:

"Conditions played a huge, huge part in today's game," Pickens said. "I don't really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions kind of saved them today."

"The snow, the conditions were so bad," he said. "I don't even think the QB could see sometimes. And when you got conditions like that, at the opponents' home field, it kind of plays in their favor."

I don't see what he said that was wrong. This was also the game where the DB's were allowed to grab, pull, hold, and tackle him all game without a single penalty. Newsome grabbed him and pulled him from the 10 out of the back of the endzone on the games final hail mary attempt. A game that Herbig was held blatantly as Winston walked in for the game sealing TD. That game was a mess from multiple standpoints. But sure, keep piling on Pickens.

I'm not buying into any narrative I watch the games, the guy takes alot of plays off, not just on runs to the opposite side of the field, the guy can be a hell of blocker, but he doesn't want to, there's a reason they took him off the field alot of the second half of the season on running downs. Yes I'm bringing up a play from last year, when did you ever hear any player say, "well I didn't want to get hurt, so I didn't try" they were at the goal line trying to score a TD, they were 7-6 coming off two bad losses to Arizona and NE, that's beyond ridiculous. The KC game, on a passing play he didn't even run a route, he just jogged 4 yards downfield. That's the issue, he only wants to when it's good for him.

 

[insaniti]

I'm not buying into any narrative I watch the games, the guy takes alot of plays off, not just on runs to the opposite side of the field, the guy can be a hell of blocker, but he doesn't want to, there's a reason they took him off the field alot of the second half of the season on running downs. Yes I'm bringing up a play from last year, when did you ever hear any player say, "well I didn't want to get hurt, so I didn't try" they were at the goal line trying to score a TD, they were 7-6 coming off two bad losses to Arizona and NE, that's beyond ridiculous. The KC game, on a passing play he didn't even run a route, he just jogged 4 yards downfield. That's the issue, he only wants to when it's good for him.

I watch the games too, clearly you're seeing what you want to see. He didn't get taken off the field more in the second half of the season for run plays, that was happening ALL YEAR, and it's a big reason the offense was so predictable. Oh ****, Muth, Pickens, and Warren aren't on the field, it's Washington, Najee, Van Jefferson, and Skowroneck...I wonder if this is a run play.

And for the last time, this is the actual quote from Pickens on the blocking.

George Pickens on why he didn’t block for Warren: “I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to (him). I ain't want to get an injury. When you stay on the block too low, you can get ran up on very easily.”​

This was the Bell injury, literally the week before.

 

[Coryea]

I watch the games too, clearly you're seeing what you want to see. He didn't get taken off the field more in the second half of the season for run plays, that was happening ALL YEAR, and it's a big reason the offense was so predictable. Oh ****, Muth, Pickens, and Warren aren't on the field, it's Washington, Najee, Van Jefferson, and Skowroneck...I wonder if this is a run play.

And for the last time, this is the actual quote from Pickens on the blocking.

George Pickens on why he didn’t block for Warren: “I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to (him). I ain't want to get an injury. When you stay on the block too low, you can get ran up on very easily.”​

This was the Bell injury, literally the week before.

so, then why are they taking him off the field so much on running downs?

Then don't play football, every Olinemen shouldn't block to long then because they get rolled up on more than anyone.

And way more fans feel the same way I do about him, so everyone must just be seeing what they want.

 

[insaniti]

so, then why are they taking him off the field so much on running downs?

Then don't play football, every Olinemen shouldn't block to long then because they get rolled up on more than anyone.

And way more fans feel the same way I do about him, so everyone must just be seeing what they want.

Why are they taking Muth off on running downs? Why don't they throw to Najee that much anymore (he has a 74 catch season)? We could ask all the questions in the world that don't make sense, but this is Tomlin's world. Has nothing to do with Pickens.

edit: Bell was rolled up on by an OL. That's what Pickens was referencing. OL are MUCH bigger than WR, and will absolutely cause more damage...And there are just as many fans that think Wilson should be resigned to be our QB, so I wouldn't hang my hat on that.

 

[Coryea]

Why are they taking Muth off on running downs? Why don't they throw to Najee that much anymore (he has a 74 catch season)? We could ask all the questions in the world that don't make sense, but this is Tomlin's world. Has nothing to do with Pickens.

edit: Bell was rolled up on by an OL. That's what Pickens was referencing. OL are MUCH bigger than WR, and will absolutely cause more damage...And there are just as many fans that think Wilson should be resigned to be our QB, so I wouldn't hang my hat on that.

If you're afraid to get hurt then he's in the wrong line of work, when is the last time you heard a player openly say, I stopped because I didn't want to get hurt, I'm sure his teammates loved hearing that.
There's not many fans that want Wilson back.
Najee's 74 catch season was due to who was throwing the ball that year.

If you're such a Pickens fan, and there's nothing wrong with that, why would you want him to stay here? Hell, Watt is my favorite player, and I feel bad for him most of the time.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Just a thought on Pickens - does anyone really think the diva will show up or will he hold out. I definitely think he holds out for a new contract. If they do get through this season and decide to tag him, he will definitely hold out then. You either think he is so good that they can deal with his nonsense and sign him to a huge contract or you trade him for maybe a 3rd round pick if you are lucky.

If I were a betting man, which I am I’d say…

He will not hold out.
He will likely skip all voluntary stuff and may have trouble showing up on time for OTAs. Heck he may skip all preseason with a mystery owwie.

Why would he hold out for a contract from a team he doesn’t want to resign with?

That just doesn’t make sense. He wants his sentence to be over as soon as possible and then the hostage can finally walk out a free man. Free from the shackles of Mike Tomlin, free from the dumbass local Pittsburgh media and their search for clickbait, free from the fanbase that doesn’t appreciate him. Free, free as a bird.

He is an elite talent and needs a fresh start away from the toxic Pittsburgh dumpster fire. Will media and refs still have a bias towards him in his new home? Very likely, until he gives them a reason not to.

He is currently a 1 year rental and then a comp pick following his 1 year rental where he will indeed be playing not to get hurt imho.

If they can get a 2nd for him it is the best play for the Steelers at this point. A third and they have to weigh if his production is worth the distractions he will bring.