Isn't It The Right Time

[blu]

To trade TJ for 2026 &/or 2027 draft picks which can be used for a better chance at drafting a franchise QB. He may be a future HOF'er but ....

[LakecrestSteeler]

To trade TJ for 2026 &/or 2027 draft picks which can be used for a better chance at drafting a franchise QB. He may be a future HOF'er but ....

SDT was early on this as we all know.

I am ready to abandon the whole dominant edge, lopside your defensive philosophy.

Work on the spine as someone said in a different thread.

They are going to be awful to watch this year. I would have tried to deal him before the draft for 2026 picks or a replacement Safety this year.

It wouldn’t bother me if they traded him for a proper compensation.

[955876]

A legit contender in dire need of a pass rusher might give us something good at the deadline.

Buuuuutt, Jibba Jabber and the Dunce will be clutching their pearls by that time hoping to slide in as the 7th seed and won’t want to jeopardize that.

Can we unload Minkah too?

[Deebo]

Tomlin will never take away from his precious defense.

Just look at the trade last offseason: A WR2 out for a CB2 in.

First pick of the draft was...a DL.

Tomlin favors defense. He won't give up Watt or Minkah (they should)

[LakecrestSteeler]

Tomlin will never take away from his precious defense.

Just look at the trade last offseason: A WR2 out for a CB2 in.

First pick of the draft was...a DL.

Tomlin favors defense. He won't give up Watt or Minkah (they should)

and when you think you are ahead with Pickens and DK…gone. And I bet the pick will be for defense as you point out. Difficult to isolate for next year to prove the point, but I know in my heart it will be the case.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Can we unload Minkah too?

Troy P. was the most proactive offensive minded defender maybe ever.

Neutered Minkah is now the most reactive defensive defender ever.

Defensive secondary will always be on its heels, below the Alcoa sign, with this type of mindset.

[jebrick]

not with AR2 at the helm. This is a family business and it will be run in a nice way.

[Deebo]

not with AR2 at the helm. This is a family business and it will be run in a nice way.

Yup.
Feelings/loyalty over results.

Not saying loyalty should never be rewarded, but we are too far on that side of the spectrum.

[.Kodiak]

Tomlin will never take away from his precious defense.

Just look at the trade last offseason: A WR2 out for a CB2 in.

First pick of the draft was...a DL.

Tomlin favors defense. He won't give up Watt or Minkah (they should)

Something like 2-12 without TJ. Never gonna happen.

[gojira5150]

A legit contender in dire need of a pass rusher might give us something good at the deadline.

Buuuuutt, Jibba Jabber and the Dunce will be clutching their pearls by that time hoping to slide in as the 7th seed and won’t want to jeopardize that.

Can we unload Minkah too?

This would be a perfect time to get Detroit & Packers in a bidding war for TJ. He could tip the scales for either team. I am pretty sure Packers would not want TJ teamed up with Aiden.

[955876]

A legit contender in dire need of a pass rusher might give us something good at the deadline.

Buuuuutt, Jibba Jabber and the Dunce will be clutching their pearls by that time hoping to slide in as the 7th seed and won’t want to jeopardize that.

Can we unload Minkah too?

This would be a perfect time to get Detroit & Packers in a bidding war for TJ. He could tip the scales for either team. I am pretty sure Packers would not want TJ teamed up with Aiden.

Ya but then they can’t gaslight the fans into believing they are a play here and a play there from being a legit contender.

I I see the Packers coming out on top of that trade deal as no way would Jibbs & Dunce unload TJ to the Lions before we play them on 12/21.

[franco32]

I really hope Minkah has been playing hurt the last couple years because he was playing a step slow. I don't care where he was lined up. He simply didn't have the burst of old Minkah. If that's gone for good, we are FCKed with his salary and we aren't getting draft capital.

[955876]

I really hope Minkah has been playing hurt the last couple years because he was playing a step slow. I don't care where he was lined up. He simply didn't have the burst of old Minkah. If that's gone for good, we are FCKed with his salary and we aren't getting draft capital.

It’s why you don’t trade for a freaking safety just to preserve NHALS.

[CzechSteeler]

Can we unload Minkah too?

He can even stay on his private Hawaiian island.

[Thrillsseeker]

Tomlin will never take away from his precious defense.

Just look at the trade last offseason: A WR2 out for a CB2 in.

First pick of the draft was...a DL.

Tomlin favors defense. He won't give up Watt or Minkah (they should)

Something like 2-12 without TJ. Never gonna happen.

Would be great to dump him for draft capital and then go 2-15. Absolutely great.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Tomlin will never take away from his precious defense.

Just look at the trade last offseason: A WR2 out for a CB2 in.

First pick of the draft was...a DL.

Tomlin favors defense. He won't give up Watt or Minkah (they should)

Something like 2-12 without TJ. Never gonna happen.

I actually thought this was a possibility but you are correct on this assertion!

[steelmann58]

I think this is Fitz last year here especially underperforming again for another Year. As per Watt I seriously thinking about putting him on the block especially if the cowboys sign parsons first.

[cop1211]

Trade both at the deadline.

[steelmann58]

I would put it out their just to see

[langer]

They could have traded away Ben to maximize return but didn't.

These guys don't maximize value.

TJ is due for an injury that will reduce his value. He might have a banner year this season or start to show his age. Wonder if camp reports will be accurate if something happens, or will they be censored.

[Mick]

The right time to trade anybody is when you get a good return for them. I would have been happy to trade pickens if we could have gotten a good pick for him.

I’d guess right now we could get a 2026 2nd rounder for TJ, and a 6th for minkah if we agree to pay part of his salary. Either of those very exciting? More likely assuming minkah repeats his 2024 campaign he gets cut in february.

[bradshaw2ben]

The right time to trade anybody is when you get a good return for them. I would have been happy to trade pickens if we could have gotten a good pick for him.

I’d guess right now we could get a 2026 2nd rounder for TJ, and a 6th for minkah if we agree to pay part of his salary. Either of those very exciting? More likely assuming minkah repeats his 2024 campaign he gets cut in february.

TJ is worth at least a 1st to a contender. These kinds of trades don't happen a lot and TJ is 30, but he's at minimum a top 3 player at a position viewed as top 2 or 3 most valuable by every team.

[K_C_]

They could have traded away Ben to maximize return but didn't.

These guys don't maximize value.

TJ is due for an injury that will reduce his value. He might have a banner year this season or start to show his age. Wonder if camp reports will be accurate if something happens, or will they be censored.

Late in Dan Marino's career, when the Steelers were a QB away from winning Super Bowls (they literally had every other piece) the Steelers tried hard to pry Pittsburgh native Marino away from the Dolphins, but they wouldn't budge. They wanted Marino to retire a Dolphin, no matter how bad the team was or how much Marino himself was struggling.

The Steelers, I'm sure, felt the same way about Ben. It's rare teams trade legendary QB's and situations like San Fran's, when they traded Montana because they had Steve Young waiting in the wings, are rare. The Steelers had no one waiting in the wings at the end of Ben's career...and neither did the Dolphins, when Marino hung 'em up. I believe the great Jay Fiedler took over after Marino.

As for trading Watt, I wouldn't be adverse to trading TJ at this juncture, but as someone above said....it isn't going to happen. Trading Watt guarantees no NHALS. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

[Charles Demarr]

It was time a year ago...

Loyalty trumps winning. Not going to happen.

[K_C_]

It was time a year ago...

Loyalty trumps winning. Not going to happen.

I don't think not trading Watt has anything to do with loyalty to him.

Tomlin okaying a trade of Watt for a few high draft choices 1) ends the only thing that allows Mike Tomlin to hang his hat on: the NHALS and 2) trading Watt signals a rebuild. Mike Tomlin has zero interest in any rebuild.

[Deebo]

It was time a year ago...

Loyalty trumps winning. Not going to happen.

I don't think not trading Watt has anything to do with loyalty to him.

Tomlin okaying a trade of Watt for a few high draft choices 1) ends the only thing that allows Mike Tomlin to hang his hat on: the NHALS and 2) trading Watt signals a rebuild. Mike Tomlin has zero interest in any rebuild.

It can be both: loyalty to Watt (as he's shown to be a Tomlin puppet) and the consequence of not having NHALS.
Which means it's a lock it'll never happen.

[Steelafan77]

While many of us realize this is a logical football move to benefit from.

Letting players go before they decline is ideal and a proven business savvy tactic.

When has Pittsburgh ever demonstrated this mentality? Pickens?

That said, Watt will likely get an extension saving some cap space. Yay!

Meanwhile, other players could become candidates for contract restructure saving even more cap space.

Preparation for the long awaited A-A-Ron signing?

At least they have all their draft picks signed…..

[CKSteeler]

While many of us realize this is a logical football move to benefit from.

Letting players go before they decline is ideal and a proven business savvy tactic.

When has Pittsburgh ever demonstrated this mentality? Pickens?

That said, Watt will likely get an extension saving some cap space. Yay!

Meanwhile, other players could become candidates for contract restructure saving even more cap space.

Preparation for the long awaited A-A-Ron signing?

At least they have all their draft picks signed…..

It's funny because the Steelers in a lot of ways were doing just that. When Belichick interviewed for jobs, he cited the Steelers as an example of how to do things from roster construction standpoint. Let guys go before its too late.

It's only really as Tomlin and Art II put their stamp on the team that they seem to have become far more sentimental about holding onto veterans past their prime.

I'd trade Watt at this stage for his own sake, but I have no faith in this regime to make use of the resources they'd gain.

Look at the recent first rounders. Look at their QB evaluations since 2004. I mean, they're going to have to take another swing at it, but why as a fan should I care or have faith? I'd rather see Watt and be marginally entertained. He's like the lone bright spot on this team on Sundays.

It's a shitty mindset to have, but it's just where I'm at.

[Steel Bingo]

Watt makes plays, regardless of if it is the final play of the game. Cannot imagine the Steelers trading an elite pass rusher. Those are too valuable.

There are only so many roster spots to put rookies into anyway, and Pittsburgh is predicted to have something like 12 draft picks in the ’26 draft.
There’s a real good chance that 12 rookies cannot make the final roster.

[Charles Demarr]

Watt makes plays, regardless of if it is the final play of the game. Cannot imagine the Steelers trading an elite pass rusher. Those are too valuable.

There are only so many roster spots to put rookies into anyway, and Pittsburgh is predicted to have something like 12 draft picks in the ’26 draft.
There’s a real good chance that 12 rookies cannot make the final roster.

Can you envision paying an aging/declining player $40 million year? I love TJ, all time great Steeler, but it's a wise business decision. Time to move on.