Sans KP, Steelers the worse for wear....

[Parkview57]

I always root for Pitt players and root for the Steelers. I was not really gung-ho on the Steelers drafting Kenny Pickett in the first round. I was pulling for he and the Steelers but some of the worse fears became realized for many reasons already discussed in these parts.

The issue that lingers now, IMO, is that the Steelers are in a really bad place, in large part for giving up on a late round number 1 too early. Nothing was gained and the choices are now too costly to even get back to square one. Trying to go forward without trading quality for draft choices and "rebuilding" is going to be painful.

 

[wbrpanther]

I always root for Pitt players and root for the Steelers. I was not really gung-ho on the Steelers drafting Kenny Pickett in the first round. I was pulling for he and the Steelers but some of the worse fears became realized for many reasons already discussed in these parts.

The issue that lingers now, IMO, is that the Steelers are in a really bad place, in large part for giving up on a late round number 1 too early. Nothing was gained and the choices are now too costly to even get back to square one. Trying to go forward without trading quality for draft choices and "rebuilding" is going to be painful.

Again, Kenny Pickett gave up on himself. Get over it.

 

[pittiswhereiamfrom2]

Again, Kenny Pickett gave up on himself. Get over it.

He quit football?

 

[303vND]

Again, Kenny Pickett gave up on himself. Get over it.

I swear I saw Kenny throwing touchdowns for the Eagles.

 

[Pittisit4me]

I always root for Pitt players and root for the Steelers. I was not really gung-ho on the Steelers drafting Kenny Pickett in the first round. I was pulling for he and the Steelers but some of the worse fears became realized for many reasons already discussed in these parts.

The issue that lingers now, IMO, is that the Steelers are in a really bad place, in large part for giving up on a late round number 1 too early. Nothing was gained and the choices are now too costly to even get back to square one. Trying to go forward without trading quality for draft choices and "rebuilding" is going to be painful.

I'm ready for the pain! This shitshow must be ended immediately. The longer it continues, the pain will grow to be too excruciating for most fans to stand.

 

[Burgh15]

I swear I saw Kenny throwing touchdowns for the Eagles.

So was Tanner McKee. It pays to have deep, talented rosters and quality coaching.

The Steelers situation isn't as dire as people make it out to be, but it's not good either until they get a QB. Right now, the biggest issue is Tomlin is willing to do whatever it takes to win and it's come at the expense of actually developing a sound philosophy and allowing his young players to develop. I'll be completely stunned if they can ever legitimately compete again while he's head coach.

 

[303vND]

So was Tanner McKee. It pays to have deep, talented rosters and quality coaching.

The Steelers situation isn't as dire as people make it out to be, but it's not good either until they get a QB. Right now, the biggest issue is Tomlin is willing to do whatever it takes to win and it's come at the expense of actually developing a sound philosophy and allowing his young players to develop. I'll be completely stunned if they can ever legitimately compete again while he's head coach.

That has nothing to do with the statement about Kenny quit on himself. And agree - the Steelers are also rans.

 

[NCanton Panther]

That has nothing to do with the statement about Kenny quit on himself. And agree - the Steelers are also rans.

Ok does it make you feel better to more appropriately say he quit on the Steelers

 

[pittbb80]

So was Tanner McKee. It pays to have deep, talented rosters and quality coaching.

The Steelers situation isn't as dire as people make it out to be, but it's not good either until they get a QB. Right now, the biggest issue is Tomlin is willing to do whatever it takes to win and it's come at the expense of actually developing a sound philosophy and allowing his young players to develop. I'll be completely stunned if they can ever legitimately compete again while he's head coach.

I honestly don’t think their greatest need is at Qb. In order of priority I think they need

1. A legit OL coach. It’s not surprising that a guy like Dotson blossomed when he left and Green was serviceable. Will be intersting to see how Moore plays elsewhere

2. More talent on the OL. I’m not totally sold that they have a top of the league OL. No Qb can play well when he’s running for his life half the plays

3. Huge upgrade to the Wr corps. When a one trick pony Pickens is your #1 wr and the rest of the WRs are #3 or #4 at best you have a huge issue. Not to mention the TE position is mediocre as well

4. A new DC. They have more than enough talent on the defensive side of the ball but the defensive scheme is so conservative. It’s all about not giving up the big play and not dictating to the offense.

IMO Qb is well down the list. I think they could have won with KP and can win with Russ as well. KP would have been the far cheaper option heading into next year. IMO where Russ has more experience and throws a better deep ball he’s a midget and doesn’t have the wheels any more. I don’t think there’s a huge difference between the two

 

[MajorMajors]

I’d add a new OC - but Tomlin is plain awful at picking OCs. Tomlin is just too darn conservative and the league, especially the teams with creative offenses, has moved past him, IMHO…

 

[Parkview57]

I honestly don’t think their greatest need is at Qb.

What is your answer at QB. Will the long(and accurate) list you presented be affordable if you keep Wilson? Does it seem plausible to keep the OC and Fields when that offense is not the type of attack devoted to his skill set? Perhaps QB is not the greatest need but it still presents a huge dilemma, unless you go with youth and give up on Watt, etc.al. with a total rebuild.

 

[wbrpanther]

I swear I saw Kenny throwing touchdowns for the Eagles.

He saw competition in Pittsburgh and begged out. I assume you aren’t stupid. You knew what I meant.

 

[Parkview57]

I'm ready for the pain!

Right.
My last sentence was not clear. It will be painful if the Steelers do not rebuild, and just go on with this "skim into the play-offs only to be curbed stomped on day 1" level of performance.

 

[Pittisit4me]

Again, Kenny Pickett gave up on himself. Get over it.

Cool story bro! He did himself a huge favor getting himself away from a rudderless franchise where quarterbacks go to die. With their backward philosophy, this would be the last place I would want to be drafted if I were a top college QB!

 

[blairdawg]

He saw competition in Pittsburgh and begged out. I assume you aren’t stupid. You knew what I meant.

Or you could argue the Steelers quit on him. Just as much evidence to say that. They brought in Wilson, told KP it would be an open competition and then said Wilson would be the starter before they ever stepped on the practice field. I am a Steeler fan as well and I don't understand how each side digs in so much. The Steelers didn't think KP was their future QB and KP wanted a fresh start somewhere else. Why is it so important to have to place blame on either side? Each side did what they felt was best. Would have been a great story if it had worked out for Pitt/Steelers fans but time to let it go and move on.

 

[303vND]

He saw competition in Pittsburgh and begged out. I assume you aren’t stupid. You knew what I meant.

Man...how many times do we have to go over this - let me type this slowly so you can keep up THERE WAS NO COMPETITION. It was Russ' job the minute Tomlin, Minkah, Cam and TJ dropped to their knees to beg him to come here.

And all they got was an Angry Dragon!

 

[Fk_Pitt]

So was Tanner McKee. It pays to have deep, talented rosters and quality coaching.

The Steelers situation isn't as dire as people make it out to be, but it's not good either until they get a QB. Right now, the biggest issue is Tomlin is willing to do whatever it takes to win and it's come at the expense of actually developing a sound philosophy and allowing his young players to develop. I'll be completely stunned if they can ever legitimately compete again while he's head coach.

Tanner McKee has looked great. What’s the point?

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

KP was smart to get out of the dysfunctional Steeler franchise.

 

[Pittisit4me]

KP was smart to get out of the dysfunctional Steeler franchise.

Dysfunctional indeed. All you need to do is look across town to the Pens who have kept the same coach and same players for far too long. They too no longer win playoff games or even make it there. The Steelers are following the same blueprint for the most part. They are both dead-end franchises. Until they blow it up, get new leadership, and get draft picks that can move the needle, they will remain the definition of Dysfunctional.

 

[Burgh15]

Tanner McKee has looked great. What’s the point?

That third-string players can look good when surrounded by talented players and coaches?

 

[Franb]

Man...how many times do we have to go over this - let me type this slowly so you can keep up THERE WAS NO COMPETITION. It was Russ' job the minute Tomlin, Minkah, Cam and TJ dropped to their knees to beg him to come here.

And all they got was an Angry Dragon!

Do you really believe that any NFL coach would guarantee a starting job to a player who has just been signed as a free agent, over the incumbent starter, without ever seeing him actually practice and play? That makes no sense, and goes against every coaching principle that jobs have to be earned. Signing Wilson was a no-brainer - the Steelers got him for nothing. By contrast, they invested a first-round pick in Pickett, and made him the starter half way through his first season.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Do you really believe that any NFL coach would guarantee a starting job to a player who has just been signed as a free agent, over the incumbent starter, without ever seeing him actually practice and play?

Seriously? Yeah, I believe it.

To be fair though, the only reason why I believe it is because it happens all over the NFL, literally every year.

Just about all big name free agents sign in a place where they have been guaranteed that they will start. Without ever practicing or playing for their new team.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

That third-string players can look good when surrounded by talented players and coaches?

That’s cool and all but I don’t think anyone really debated that. This whole thing has never really been about Kenny…it’s about the Steelers being a mess and the Eagles being essentially the gold standard.

And that’s what has been proven through him.