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They signed Cignetti!!!!!

slashsteel said:
Anywho A I’s take on the hire:

I totally get why fans are looking at the Frank Cignetti Jr. hire with a raised eyebrow. It feels a bit like a "mystery box" compared to the high-profile coordinators, but when you look at how Mike McCarthy is building this staff, Cignetti is actually the "glue guy."

Here is the breakdown of why fans are skeptical, and why it actually makes sense for the 2026 Steelers:

1. Why the fans are "Meh" (The Skepticism)​

  • The "Nepo" Vibe: He is the brother of Curt Cignetti (who just won the National Championship with Indiana) and the son of a legendary local coach. Fans often worry that "local ties" are being prioritized over "best fit."
  • The Recent Pitt Stint: Cignetti was the Offensive Coordinator at Pitt in 2022-23. While he had success there in the past, his last stint was polarizing, and some fans feel he’s a "college-level" thinker.
  • The "Retread" Label: He’s 60 years old and has bounced around a lot. For fans wanting a 30-year-old "wunderkind" like Sean McVay, this feels like moving backward.

2. My Take: Why this is a "Safety Net" Hire​

I don’t think you should be concerned, and
  • The "Local Knowledge": He knows the Pittsburgh landscape and the facilities. In a year where everything is changing (New HC, New GM, New QB), having a veteran who knows how to navigate the city
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None of us should underestimate the value in the “local knowledge”..
Pittsburgh is very unique and somewhat maze like when it comes from going from one part of the city to the other.
I know if you’ve never lived in Pittsburgh. That’s somewhat difficult to understand but it’s a very real thing believe me.
 
steel dino said:
None of us should underestimate the value in the “local knowledge”..
Pittsburgh is very unique and somewhat maze like when it comes from going from one part of the city to the other.
I know if you’ve never lived in Pittsburgh. That’s somewhat difficult to understand but it’s a very real thing believe me.
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Been here in Pittsburgh about 15 years I believe. I am a transplant . Always learning new things about the Burgh definitely..
 
slashsteel said:
Anywho A I’s take on the hire:

I totally get why fans are looking at the Frank Cignetti Jr. hire with a raised eyebrow. It feels a bit like a "mystery box" compared to the high-profile coordinators, but when you look at how Mike McCarthy is building this staff, Cignetti is actually the "glue guy."

Here is the breakdown of why fans are skeptical, and why it actually makes sense for the 2026 Steelers:

1. Why the fans are "Meh" (The Skepticism)​

  • The "Nepo" Vibe: He is the brother of Curt Cignetti (who just won the National Championship with Indiana) and the son of a legendary local coach. Fans often worry that "local ties" are being prioritized over "best fit."
  • The Recent Pitt Stint: Cignetti was the Offensive Coordinator at Pitt in 2022-23. While he had success there in the past, his last stint was polarizing, and some fans feel he’s a "college-level" thinker.
  • The "Retread" Label: He’s 60 years old and has bounced around a lot. For fans wanting a 30-year-old "wunderkind" like Sean McVay, this feels like moving backward.

2. My Take: Why this is a "Safety Net" Hire​

I don’t think you should be concerned, and here’s why:

  • The Aaron Rodgers Factor: Cignetti was the Packers' QB Coach in 2018 under McCarthy. He and Aaron Rodgers have a direct, successful history. If the plan is to give Rodgers a "time frame" to return, hiring one of the few coaches he truly respects and has worked with is a brilliant strategic move.
  • The "McCarthy Translator": McCarthy and Cignetti have worked together three times (Saints, Packers, and now Steelers). Cignetti knows exactly what McCarthy wants before he even says it. As a "Senior Offensive Assistant," he can help Scott Tolzien (the new, younger OC) translate McCarthy’s old-school West Coast principles into a modern game plan.
  • The "Local Knowledge": He knows the Pittsburgh landscape and the facilities. In a year where everything is changing (New HC, New GM, New QB), having a veteran who knows how to navigate the city and the organization adds a level of stability that shouldn't be overlooked.

The "Mysterious" Role​

The reason it feels mysterious is that the Steelers haven't given him a traditional title like "Quarterbacks Coach" (since they kept Tom Arth). He’s likely going to be a "Senior Offensive Assistant" or "Passing Game Coordinator." > The Verdict: He’s essentially the "Consultant" on the staff. He isn’t there to call the plays; he’s there to watch the film, find the flaws, and make sure McCarthy and Tolzien are on the same page.

It’s definitely not a "flashy" hire, but for a team trying to win a Super Bowl with a veteran QB window, he's the kind of experienced "extra set of eyes" that keeps a season from spiraling.
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My take... old and older.

Where's the soup???
 
bermudasteel said:
Horrible idea...
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Yeah, I’m not a big fan of it either unless it’s Mendoza and that would be very difficult to pull off
I’m just saying it seems that way to me with the direction they’re going with loading up offensively on the staff
 
Badcat said:
This guy is not his father, and he certainly isn't his brother. He's the Jeb Bush of the family. He's had 20 different positions in 36 years of coaching ping ponging from college, to the pros, and back to college again, never serving as a head coach at either level. I don't know what his official title will be, but it had better be a QB coach of some sort because as an OC, he blows chunks. He was OC for the Rams and only made it 12 games before he was fired. The Rams ranked 31st in yards per game, 32 in passing yards per game, and 30th in offensive touchdowns.
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Getting excited for Cignetti is the equivalent to pounding you're chest after you're team drafts Luke Mccaffrey:ROFLMAO:
 
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