Pickens to Cowboys

[Scunge]

So amusing to see the national media pundits proclaim the Cowboys won this trade. They are so ignorant and know nothing of Steelers history.

Raiders traded a 3rd round pick to the Steelers for Martavius Bryant.
Raiders traded a 3rd and 5th for Antonio Brown
Bears traded a 2nd round pick for Chase Claypool.
Carolina traded Donte Jackson and swapped a later pick for Diontae Johnson.

And now the Cowboys have traded a 3rd round pick and swapped their 5th round pick (2027) for our 6th round pick (2027). Don’t discount these swapping of picks, when you factor in the comp picks at the end of the round, the Steelers could move up as much as 40, 50, 60 picks from where they were going to draft at that 6th round selection. I will explain this later on in more detail.

When we did that pick swap in the Johnson trade with Carolina, we swapped our 7th round pick (240) for their 6th round pick which was pick 178. That is moving up 62 spots. I believe that 6th rounder from Carolina was actually a pick that they in turn got in a trade. Omar and the Steelers do these pick swaps and it looks to be where they tell Carolina or Dallas, hey give us a pick swap, give us your highest pick in this round and we will give you our lowest pick in the next round. So, that is how you are able to move up 62 spots.

Going back to the 5th round/6th round swap in 2027 as part of the Pickens trade, maybe Dallas does some trades in the 2026 draft, maybe they acquire an extra 5th round pick for 2027 that is much higher than their normal 5th round pick. Say they make the playoffs and win a game in the post season and are picking at slot 26 in the 2027 draft. If Omar and the Steelers have it in the trade that the Cowboys have to swap their highest pick, say the Jets gave them a 5th round pick and they are picking 8th in the 5th round. Say we are picking 22 in round 6 .

If we use this past 2025 draft as an example, there were eight 5th round comp picks at the end of the round. In my scenario above if Dallas had to trade an early 5th round pick to us for our 6th round pick, that would mean that we moved up 57 spots. I love these pick swaps, the opposing team doesn’t feel like they are giving up too much, just moving down the draft board some. But for us we get to move up drastically and you never know what player you may obtain.

I have seen and heard all of the scenarios that people envisioned for a Metcalfe and Pickens duo this year but I don’t see how it would have worked. First, yes, I do think that George would have done a sit in and not practiced during training camp and the preseason games. If we do sign Aaron Rodgers how the hell would him and Pickens have gotten productive reps together??

All you have to do is look how Rodgers and Mike Williams didn’t get along with the JETs. Rodgers wants discipline and for you to be on the same page as a WR and he and Williams didn’t gel at all. Williams is on the backend of his career but there are a lot of similarities in how he and Pickens are as WRs.

I view Pickens as a one trick pony, I don’t see how he is so gifted. He is very awkward in the short and intermediate game. He tip toes and jogs inside the hashes. When tasked with clearing out areas he often jogged and half-assed those assignments. If the ball was not coming to him, he pouted and didn’t put forth full effort. As a blocker he was soft and only did these sucker punch type of blocks when he could catch a CB unaware. Can you imagine how much worse he will be once he gets paid? Good Riddance.

This other narrative is how much worse the Steelers WR crew is, how they are back to square one. How they have DK and nobody else. I just disagree. DK is a more complete WR than Pickens. Runs more routes, is more polished, better blocker, actually has speed to take a 5 yard pass and outrun everybody for a TD. More physical, can overpower, bitch slap defenders, run through arm tackles easily. Arthur Smith has an AJ Brown for his offense like he did in Tennessee.

A year ago we did not know if Calvin Austin could be a #3 WR. Now we do and he can keep building off of that and he is in a contract year and motivated to cash in next offseason.

I point to Austin’s development as hope that Roman Wilson can do the same, remember Austin had his rookie year wiped out due to injury. And here is the thing, players can and will develop beyond their rookie year. Wilson ran a 4.39 at the combine, he was a 3rd round pick. I think that if Wilson had been in this 2025 draft class, which was weaker than normal, he might have been a 2nd round pick.

When I look at this 2025 draft class, I put in three asterisk players, two players that had their 2024 rookie years wiped out because of injury and one player that we got in a trade.

1 Derrick Harmon DE/DT
1* Troy Fautanu RT
2* DK Metcalfe WR
3 Kaleb Johnson RB
3* Roman Wilson WR
4 Jack Sawyer OLB
5 Yahya Black DE/DT
6 Will Howard QB
7 Carson Bruener ILB/ST
7 Donte Kent CB/PR

UDFAs
Sebastian Castro S/ST
JJ Galbreath TE
DJ Turner-Jones FB/ST

That is what this new class coming in truly is, we spent a 2nd round pick for DK, we have Fautanu and Roman Wilson ready to see the field. I think Bruener and Kent are probably heading to the practice squad but I think this may be one of the best undrafted free agent classes we have had in a long time.

One last thing before I wrap this post up, why the hate for Jack Sawyer?? One of the things that has driven me crazy these past 4-5 years is us wasting draft picks and money on the 3rd-4th OLB. So last year it was Preston Smith, the year before that it was Markus Golden, Taco Carlton, Malik Reed, Melvin Ingram, etc, etc. Often times we were sending a 5th, 6th, 7th to pick up these one year rentals, and many of them had years left on their contract and we were only using them as one year, or half year rentals. Preston Smith for example got cut because he was due some $13 million for 2025. And many of these older prospects were one-dimensional, situational pass rushers, did not play special teams, might even be deactivated for some games because the team needed more bodies for special teams.

The solution is to have cheap 4th round picks, that can backup and be part of a rotation AND be great special teams players. Sawyer is going to fit right in as a Steeler, his arms are longer than Woodley and Golden, there were power edges, they got along fine. Instead of these one year rentals we now have quality depth that will put in a tour of duty for 4 years.

This past draft was an ‘eat your vegetables’ draft.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Steelers are setting up to trade their entire draft for a QB next year.

All picks round 1-7 to move into the top 5. Then they will still have 5 comp/trade picks to use for extra players.

I’m for it. Fuck Rodgers or adding another WR. Ride Rudolph into a 6 win season and rebuild. Let Hayward mentor the young guys for one year then cut him.

I don’t mind the strategy, but I would not want to come here as a QB.

What about the Eli Manning scenario that we make this big draft capital maneuver in 2026 and the QB says the Steelers offense is a train wreck and a graveyard for QBs. GO FISH! If I was an agent, based on past behavior this plot could work for a QB drafted in Pittsburgh.

I really think they need to spruce up the complex and coaching personnel to have a better “total recruiting package” for this draft prospect.

Let's be real, a top QB in the draft would much rather come to an organization like Pittsburgh than the f'n Jets, or Browns, or Jags, or whoever the f else is always picking at the top of the draft. We haven't had a top 10 pick on our own accord since Plax was drafted (hopefully that streak ends this year).

I agree and this is a low odds scenario and it would take a ballsy QB and agent (just what you want to get Tomlin fired and what you want in an FQB), but San Diego wasn’t the Jets, Jags or Browns during that time period. There will also be a Manning again.

It is not that big of a stretch. Marty was the coach. Many here call Tomlin, Marty 2. They had a pretty decent QB and RB. Unsure if bad QB situation is better to have than a good QB situation, but San Diego was not that bad of team at that point. They were not chopped liver.

____________________

Eli Manning finally reveals why he refused to play for Chargers after they took him with the top pick in 2004
​
Summarize
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By John Breech Oct 7, 2021 at 12:43 pm ET • 3 min read

It's been 17 years since the Chargers made Eli Manning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, and to this day, the two-time Super Bowl winner has never really explained why he didn't want to play for them, but that changed this week.

During an interview on the "10 Questions with Kyle Brandt" podcast, Eli finally revealed why he refused to play for the Chargers, who were then located in San Diego.

"It was my decision having talked with my agent, coaches, [general managers] and owners," Manning said. "Going through the draft process, I was just worried about the Chargers organization at the time. I felt it was the right decision and I had a little pull. I quietly tried to say 'Hey, please don't draft me, it can be our secret,' and they didn't keep the secret part very well."

At the time, Manning was represented by Tom Condon, who also represented the Chargers coach at the time (Marty Schottenheimer), the quarterback at the time (Drew Brees) and the team's star running back (LaDainian Tomlinson), so Condon likely had a good feeling for how Manning would have fit it in. Back in 2004, the Chargers also were gaining a reputation as a place young quarterbacks should avoid: Drew Brees had a rough first two seasons in San Diego and that came shortly after the team's debacle with Ryan Leaf, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft.

Due to those two things plus a few other factors, Eli felt that San Diego was a less than ideal landing spot.

Manning had plenty of opportunities to explain why he didn't want to play for the Chargers during his career. For instance, before the Giants played in San Diego in 2013, Eli was asked why he didn't want to play for the Chargers.

His answer?

"I forgot."

Now that he's retired, he's clearly not worried about offending anyone, which is likely one reason why he was willing to open up about the subject now. Over the years, the belief was that his dad, Archie Manning, talked him out of going to the Chargers, but Eli says that simply wasn't the case.

"It wasn't my Dad. He was trying to take the heat off of me, he knew I was going to get criticized," Eli Manning told Brandt. "After that, the Chargers turned it around, they got Shawne Merriman, then Drew Brees started playing great, then Philip (Rivers) started playing great, they went to AFC Championship games, they're making playoffs and turned things around."

The 2004 draft ended up being one of the most dramatic ones in NFL history. Just days before the draft, Manning's agent (Condon) told the Chargers that Eli would sit out the entire 2004 season if the team drafted him with the first overall pick.

The Chargers ended up ignoring the threat and they decided to take Eli with the top pick anyway. Although Manning would get traded to the Giants less than an hour later, he did end up posing for what will likely go down as the most awkward draft day photo in NFL history.

eli-chargers-nfl-draft-06-27-16.jpg
Eli Manning definitely didn't want to play for the Chargers. Chris Trotman, Getty Images
That's the closest thing to a hostage photo that we'll probably ever see at the NFL Draft.

Shortly after the photo was taken, Manning was traded to the Giants. In the deal, the Giants got Manning while the Chargers received Rivers, a 2004 third-round pick (that turned into kicker Nate Kaeding), a 2005 first-round pick (used on linebacker Shawne Merriman) and a 2005 fifth-round pick.

One twist in this story is that Eli actually kept his Chargers jersey, which is a piece of information he revealed back in 2018.

In a sweet bit of irony, the Chargers ended up as one of two teams that Eli faced but never beat during his 16-year career. Manning went 0-4 against the Chargers and 0-4 against the Colts (He also never beat the Giants, but he never faced them since he spent his entire career in New York).

[anpsteel]

Why did this happen now and not before the draft?

Did George do something bad? LOL.

What a trainwreck.

They couldn’t get enough in return

aaaand

I imagine they were hoping Pickens would grow up, so they could utilize his skills for one more season.

Once it became apparent that wasn’t going to happen …

Eh...Pickens did nothing that we know of to spur on this trade after the draft. And according to media reports, he was fine accepting his role on the team for another year to my own surprise.

The reality is they just didn't get the offer they wanted until after the draft.

I don't mind the timing of it. I'd rather save that third for next year when they are taking a QB.

I firmly believe they'll fuck things up, but on paper they are doing the right thing loading up for next year.

That we know of


Reports are that this was initiated by Tomlin. Which if true, makes me believe Pickens was being a serious problem

[swissvale72]

So amusing to see the national media pundits proclaim the Cowboys won this trade. They are so ignorant and know nothing of Steelers history.

Raiders traded a 3rd round pick to the Steelers for Martavius Bryant.
Raiders traded a 3rd and 5th for Antonio Brown
Bears traded a 2nd round pick for Chase Claypool.
Carolina traded Donte Jackson and swapped a later pick for Diontae Johnson.

And now the Cowboys have traded a 3rd round pick and swapped their 5th round pick (2027) for our 6th round pick (2027). Don’t discount these swapping of picks, when you factor in the comp picks at the end of the round, the Steelers could move up as much as 40, 50, 60 picks from where they were going to draft at that 6th round selection. I will explain this later on in more detail.

When we did that pick swap in the Johnson trade with Carolina, we swapped our 7th round pick (240) for their 6th round pick which was pick 178. That is moving up 62 spots. I believe that 6th rounder from Carolina was actually a pick that they in turn got in a trade. Omar and the Steelers do these pick swaps and it looks to be where they tell Carolina or Dallas, hey give us a pick swap, give us your highest pick in this round and we will give you our lowest pick in the next round. So, that is how you are able to move up 62 spots.

Going back to the 5th round/6th round swap in 2027 as part of the Pickens trade, maybe Dallas does some trades in the 2026 draft, maybe they acquire an extra 5th round pick for 2027 that is much higher than their normal 5th round pick. Say they make the playoffs and win a game in the post season and are picking at slot 26 in the 2027 draft. If Omar and the Steelers have it in the trade that the Cowboys have to swap their highest pick, say the Jets gave them a 5th round pick and they are picking 8th in the 5th round. Say we are picking 22 in round 6 .

If we use this past 2025 draft as an example, there were eight 5th round comp picks at the end of the round. In my scenario above if Dallas had to trade an early 5th round pick to us for our 6th round pick, that would mean that we moved up 57 spots. I love these pick swaps, the opposing team doesn’t feel like they are giving up too much, just moving down the draft board some. But for us we get to move up drastically and you never know what player you may obtain.

I have seen and heard all of the scenarios that people envisioned for a Metcalfe and Pickens duo this year but I don’t see how it would have worked. First, yes, I do think that George would have done a sit in and not practiced during training camp and the preseason games. If we do sign Aaron Rodgers how the hell would him and Pickens have gotten productive reps together??

All you have to do is look how Rodgers and Mike Williams didn’t get along with the JETs. Rodgers wants discipline and for you to be on the same page as a WR and he and Williams didn’t gel at all. Williams is on the backend of his career but there are a lot of similarities in how he and Pickens are as WRs.

I view Pickens as a one trick pony, I don’t see how he is so gifted. He is very awkward in the short and intermediate game. He tip toes and jogs inside the hashes. When tasked with clearing out areas he often jogged and half-assed those assignments. If the ball was not coming to him, he pouted and didn’t put forth full effort. As a blocker he was soft and only did these sucker punch type of blocks when he could catch a CB unaware. Can you imagine how much worse he will be once he gets paid? Good Riddance.

This other narrative is how much worse the Steelers WR crew is, how they are back to square one. How they have DK and nobody else. I just disagree. DK is a more complete WR than Pickens. Runs more routes, is more polished, better blocker, actually has speed to take a 5 yard pass and outrun everybody for a TD. More physical, can overpower, bitch slap defenders, run through arm tackles easily. Arthur Smith has an AJ Brown for his offense like he did in Tennessee.

A year ago we did not know if Calvin Austin could be a #3 WR. Now we do and he can keep building off of that and he is in a contract year and motivated to cash in next offseason.

I point to Austin’s development as hope that Roman Wilson can do the same, remember Austin had his rookie year wiped out due to injury. And here is the thing, players can and will develop beyond their rookie year. Wilson ran a 4.39 at the combine, he was a 3rd round pick. I think that if Wilson had been in this 2025 draft class, which was weaker than normal, he might have been a 2nd round pick.

When I look at this 2025 draft class, I put in three asterisk players, two players that had their 2024 rookie years wiped out because of injury and one player that we got in a trade.

1 Derrick Harmon DE/DT
1* Troy Fautanu RT
2* DK Metcalfe WR
3 Kaleb Johnson RB
3* Roman Wilson WR
4 Jack Sawyer OLB
5 Yahya Black DE/DT
6 Will Howard QB
7 Carson Bruener ILB/ST
7 Donte Kent CB/PR

UDFAs
Sebastian Castro S/ST
JJ Galbreath TE
DJ Turner-Jones FB/ST

That is what this new class coming in truly is, we spent a 2nd round pick for DK, we have Fautanu and Roman Wilson ready to see the field. I think Bruener and Kent are probably heading to the practice squad but I think this may be one of the best undrafted free agent classes we have had in a long time.

One last thing before I wrap this post up, why the hate for Jack Sawyer?? One of the things that has driven me crazy these past 4-5 years is us wasting draft picks and money on the 3rd-4th OLB. So last year it was Preston Smith, the year before that it was Markus Golden, Taco Carlton, Malik Reed, Melvin Ingram, etc, etc. Often times we were sending a 5th, 6th, 7th to pick up these one year rentals, and many of them had years left on their contract and we were only using them as one year, or half year rentals. Preston Smith for example got cut because he was due some $13 million for 2025. And many of these older prospects were one-dimensional, situational pass rushers, did not play special teams, might even be deactivated for some games because the team needed more bodies for special teams.

The solution is to have cheap 4th round picks, that can backup and be part of a rotation AND be great special teams players. Sawyer is going to fit right in as a Steeler, his arms are longer than Woodley and Golden, there were power edges, they got along fine. Instead of these one year rentals we now have quality depth that will put in a tour of duty for 4 years.

This past draft was an ‘eat your vegetables’ draft.

Hope the fuck you're right, Scunge.

Listened to a piece from aditi whatshername from ESPN yesterday. She's now been around awhile and thinks the Steelers absolutely got the best of the deal. She said she's NEVER seen a player require as much constant attention on the sideline during the course of a game than GP...that his teammates and coaches were forever encouraging him to keep his head in the game, focus, etc.

[Ice]

They couldn’t get enough in return

aaaand

I imagine they were hoping Pickens would grow up, so they could utilize his skills for one more season.

Once it became apparent that wasn’t going to happen …

Eh...Pickens did nothing that we know of to spur on this trade after the draft. And according to media reports, he was fine accepting his role on the team for another year to my own surprise.

The reality is they just didn't get the offer they wanted until after the draft.

I don't mind the timing of it. I'd rather save that third for next year when they are taking a QB.

I firmly believe they'll fuck things up, but on paper they are doing the right thing loading up for next year.

That we know of


Reports are that this was initiated by Tomlin. Which if true, makes me believe Pickens was being a serious problem

Yeah, read the Tomlin bit earlier this morning. He wouldn't have put NHALS on the line (again no WR2, maybe affects QB decisions, etc.) if there weren't big issues. It's the sand his HOF-adjacent castle is built on.

Also, that was a tremendously positive post @Scunge and it hit the spot this morning.

[Professor Half Wit]

Eh...Pickens did nothing that we know of to spur on this trade after the draft. And according to media reports, he was fine accepting his role on the team for another year to my own surprise.

The reality is they just didn't get the offer they wanted until after the draft.

I don't mind the timing of it. I'd rather save that third for next year when they are taking a QB.

I firmly believe they'll fuck things up, but on paper they are doing the right thing loading up for next year.

That we know of


Reports are that this was initiated by Tomlin. Which if true, makes me believe Pickens was being a serious problem

Yeah, read the Tomlin bit earlier this morning. He wouldn't have put NHALS on the line (again no WR2, maybe affects QB decisions, etc.) if there weren't big issues. It's the sand his HOF-adjacent castle is built on.

Also, that was a tremendously positive post @Scunge and it hit the spot this morning.

I had to rub my eyes three times before being certain I just read a post in which someone is not complaining.

[gojira5150]

So amusing to see the national media pundits proclaim the Cowboys won this trade. They are so ignorant and know nothing of Steelers history.

Raiders traded a 3rd round pick to the Steelers for Martavius Bryant.
Raiders traded a 3rd and 5th for Antonio Brown
Bears traded a 2nd round pick for Chase Claypool.
Carolina traded Donte Jackson and swapped a later pick for Diontae Johnson.

And now the Cowboys have traded a 3rd round pick and swapped their 5th round pick (2027) for our 6th round pick (2027). Don’t discount these swapping of picks, when you factor in the comp picks at the end of the round, the Steelers could move up as much as 40, 50, 60 picks from where they were going to draft at that 6th round selection. I will explain this later on in more detail.

When we did that pick swap in the Johnson trade with Carolina, we swapped our 7th round pick (240) for their 6th round pick which was pick 178. That is moving up 62 spots. I believe that 6th rounder from Carolina was actually a pick that they in turn got in a trade. Omar and the Steelers do these pick swaps and it looks to be where they tell Carolina or Dallas, hey give us a pick swap, give us your highest pick in this round and we will give you our lowest pick in the next round. So, that is how you are able to move up 62 spots.

Going back to the 5th round/6th round swap in 2027 as part of the Pickens trade, maybe Dallas does some trades in the 2026 draft, maybe they acquire an extra 5th round pick for 2027 that is much higher than their normal 5th round pick. Say they make the playoffs and win a game in the post season and are picking at slot 26 in the 2027 draft. If Omar and the Steelers have it in the trade that the Cowboys have to swap their highest pick, say the Jets gave them a 5th round pick and they are picking 8th in the 5th round. Say we are picking 22 in round 6 .

If we use this past 2025 draft as an example, there were eight 5th round comp picks at the end of the round. In my scenario above if Dallas had to trade an early 5th round pick to us for our 6th round pick, that would mean that we moved up 57 spots. I love these pick swaps, the opposing team doesn’t feel like they are giving up too much, just moving down the draft board some. But for us we get to move up drastically and you never know what player you may obtain.

I have seen and heard all of the scenarios that people envisioned for a Metcalfe and Pickens duo this year but I don’t see how it would have worked. First, yes, I do think that George would have done a sit in and not practiced during training camp and the preseason games. If we do sign Aaron Rodgers how the hell would him and Pickens have gotten productive reps together??

All you have to do is look how Rodgers and Mike Williams didn’t get along with the JETs. Rodgers wants discipline and for you to be on the same page as a WR and he and Williams didn’t gel at all. Williams is on the backend of his career but there are a lot of similarities in how he and Pickens are as WRs.

I view Pickens as a one trick pony, I don’t see how he is so gifted. He is very awkward in the short and intermediate game. He tip toes and jogs inside the hashes. When tasked with clearing out areas he often jogged and half-assed those assignments. If the ball was not coming to him, he pouted and didn’t put forth full effort. As a blocker he was soft and only did these sucker punch type of blocks when he could catch a CB unaware. Can you imagine how much worse he will be once he gets paid? Good Riddance.

This other narrative is how much worse the Steelers WR crew is, how they are back to square one. How they have DK and nobody else. I just disagree. DK is a more complete WR than Pickens. Runs more routes, is more polished, better blocker, actually has speed to take a 5 yard pass and outrun everybody for a TD. More physical, can overpower, bitch slap defenders, run through arm tackles easily. Arthur Smith has an AJ Brown for his offense like he did in Tennessee.

A year ago we did not know if Calvin Austin could be a #3 WR. Now we do and he can keep building off of that and he is in a contract year and motivated to cash in next offseason.

I point to Austin’s development as hope that Roman Wilson can do the same, remember Austin had his rookie year wiped out due to injury. And here is the thing, players can and will develop beyond their rookie year. Wilson ran a 4.39 at the combine, he was a 3rd round pick. I think that if Wilson had been in this 2025 draft class, which was weaker than normal, he might have been a 2nd round pick.

When I look at this 2025 draft class, I put in three asterisk players, two players that had their 2024 rookie years wiped out because of injury and one player that we got in a trade.

1 Derrick Harmon DE/DT
1* Troy Fautanu RT
2* DK Metcalfe WR
3 Kaleb Johnson RB
3* Roman Wilson WR
4 Jack Sawyer OLB
5 Yahya Black DE/DT
6 Will Howard QB
7 Carson Bruener ILB/ST
7 Donte Kent CB/PR

UDFAs
Sebastian Castro S/ST
JJ Galbreath TE
DJ Turner-Jones FB/ST

That is what this new class coming in truly is, we spent a 2nd round pick for DK, we have Fautanu and Roman Wilson ready to see the field. I think Bruener and Kent are probably heading to the practice squad but I think this may be one of the best undrafted free agent classes we have had in a long time.

One last thing before I wrap this post up, why the hate for Jack Sawyer?? One of the things that has driven me crazy these past 4-5 years is us wasting draft picks and money on the 3rd-4th OLB. So last year it was Preston Smith, the year before that it was Markus Golden, Taco Carlton, Malik Reed, Melvin Ingram, etc, etc. Often times we were sending a 5th, 6th, 7th to pick up these one year rentals, and many of them had years left on their contract and we were only using them as one year, or half year rentals. Preston Smith for example got cut because he was due some $13 million for 2025. And many of these older prospects were one-dimensional, situational pass rushers, did not play special teams, might even be deactivated for some games because the team needed more bodies for special teams.

The solution is to have cheap 4th round picks, that can backup and be part of a rotation AND be great special teams players. Sawyer is going to fit right in as a Steeler, his arms are longer than Woodley and Golden, there were power edges, they got along fine. Instead of these one year rentals we now have quality depth that will put in a tour of duty for 4 years.

This past draft was an ‘eat your vegetables’ draft.

Wow. You put such thought and research into your posts. Bravo. Amazing post. This O is turning into the Artie Titans O which I'm perfectly fine with. IF this O can win TOP, this will keep TJ and others not as burned out at the end of the year.

[Mick]

People suggesting the steelers time dumping WRs well, so maybe ‘won’ the trade. For me, i don’t know that the cowboys ‘won’, but i know we lost.

Antonio brown trade seems nicely timed on paper, but…

In his last 5 seasons with the steelers, we didn’t finish worse than the 7th best offense in the NFL a single time.

In six years since the trade, we haven’t finished higher than…23rd?

I get that he went downhill quickly, but we took what was more or less one of the best offenses in the league and turned it into pretty close to the worst overnight with a single move. And people will try to argue that it was a good move.

[bradshaw2ben]

The Steelers had to know they are moving on from GP and you just went through a 2024 without finding a true 2. And to boot you don’t draft a Wr at all. Don’t understand what is going on with this franchise

Half measures. They'll pay a shitload of money to Watt, probably will trade for some C- tier WR, and sign Rodgers.

They want to try and rebuild but can't fully commit to it.

All half measures are all half-assed.

I fail to see why Rodgers would agree to come or how on earth his style of play would be even halfway compatible with Tomlin’s strategic choices or Arthur Smith’s fraudulent scheme.

I think the play for Rodgers is to sit and wait for some true contending team to suffer a QB injury or poor QB play.

[Gonzo]

sayin we "won" this trade is short-sighted
won a battle but losing the war
the same philosophical problem exists and is un-phased by this trade or really by anything at all
the team on-field bland play, strategy/tactic failures, playoff performances, developmental failures, team culture on and off field ... are all part of the same underlying problem -- a flawed and (IMO) lazy approach to success that 2-3 people in charge are too afraid, or too personally tied to, to change.

If you think our offense is better off for 2026 than last year - with or without Rodgers -- your nuts. This is all just rearranging chairs on the titanic.

[bradshaw2ben]

I think GP is going to have a huge season. I don't support his antics but I do totally understand why the situation made drove him insane. It has to be the worst of all possible situations for a WR in the NFL. There was ZERO reason to run the ball as much as they did, particularly on early downs when passing and getting open is much easier, especially when you have a human mismatch like Pickens. Secondly, his route tree was by design limited to like three routes, none of which put him downfield between the numbers. Whoever here said it was like seeing Michelangelo making grade school clay projects nailed it.

[955876]

I think GP is going to have a huge season. I don't support his antics but I do totally understand why the situation made drove him insane. It has to be the worst of all possible situations for a WR in the NFL. There was ZERO reason to run the ball as much as they did, particularly on early downs when passing and getting open is much easier, especially when you have a human mismatch like Pickens. Secondly, his route tree was by design limited to like three routes, none of which put him downfield between the numbers. Whoever here said it was like seeing Michelangelo making grade school clay projects nailed it.

Ya this.

Momma says stupid is as stupid does. That’s our offense under Jibba Jabber

[Steelafan77]

Seeing some click bait out there suggesting the Steelers go back to negotiations with San Fran and try to get Aiyuk…. Thoughts?

[JackLambert58]

I think GP is going to have a huge season. I don't support his antics but I do totally understand why the situation made drove him insane. It has to be the worst of all possible situations for a WR in the NFL. There was ZERO reason to run the ball as much as they did, particularly on early downs when passing and getting open is much easier, especially when you have a human mismatch like Pickens. Secondly, his route tree was by design limited to like three routes, none of which put him downfield between the numbers. Whoever here said it was like seeing Michelangelo making grade school clay projects nailed it.

Pickens was a nut job diva, but man he could make plays. The organization subscribes to a prehistoric offense. Art II and Tomlin are the problem. They think you can still win games with grahnd and pahnd.

[K_C_]

I think GP is going to have a huge season. I don't support his antics but I do totally understand why the situation made drove him insane. It has to be the worst of all possible situations for a WR in the NFL. There was ZERO reason to run the ball as much as they did, particularly on early downs when passing and getting open is much easier, especially when you have a human mismatch like Pickens. Secondly, his route tree was by design limited to like three routes, none of which put him downfield between the numbers. Whoever here said it was like seeing Michelangelo making grade school clay projects nailed it.

Pickens has all the talent in the world, but there is absolutely no fucking question he is NUTS and I believe by the end of next season, when Dallas has to decide whether to pay Pickens 30 million + per year or let him move on, I think they're going to let Crazy George test the market.

No question Pickens was misused in Pittsburgh and I think things will go fine for him early, but being in the same division as the Eagles and Commanders and with Dak literally the king of coming up small when it matters, George will go nuts a few times. CeeDee Lamb got a 4 year $136 million dollar extension last August. That works out to $34 million per year.

I do not think George is going to get a contract like that from Dallas.

[tbsteel]

The Steelers had to know they are moving on from GP and you just went through a 2024 without finding a true 2. And to boot you don’t draft a Wr at all. Don’t understand what is going on with this franchise

Half measures. They'll pay a shitload of money to Watt, probably will trade for some C- tier WR, and sign Rodgers.

They want to try and rebuild but can't fully commit to it.

All half measures are all half-assed.

I fail to see why Rodgers would agree to come or how on earth his style of play would be even halfway compatible with Tomlin’s strategic choices or Arthur Smith’s fraudulent scheme.

I think the play for Rodgers is to sit and wait for some true contending team to suffer a QB injury or poor QB play.

That's a best-case scenario.

The Steelers as an organization look like clowns and get dragged through the mud by the media and have to roll with Mason or *gulp* trade for the ghost of Kirk Cousins.

And we are in a better position to lose even more games next year.

[Scunge]

Listened to a piece from aditi whatshername from ESPN yesterday. She's now been around awhile and thinks the Steelers absolutely got the best of the deal. She said she's NEVER seen a player require as much constant attention on the sideline during the course of a game than GP...that his teammates and coaches were forever encouraging him to keep his head in the game, focus, etc.

Yeah, funny how everybody just forgets that on a game by game basis Pickens had his former Georgia Teammates, Darnell Washington and Broderick Jones, constantly talking to him to try and keep him under control. It almost looked like they were tasked to 'babysit' him throughout each game.

In watching Fields and Wilson play last year at QB, man, some are quick to say Pickens will shine with Dak Prescott now throwing to him. I think Dak is going to sadly find out what Fields and Wilson experienced. What I saw was an entitled WR who did not run his routes with conviction, sometimes you are not the primary target, sometimes it is your responsibility to clear out an area, to move that safety, to give your QB more of a window to throw to someone else. I saw many examples of big plays that didn't happen, or interceptions even, because Pickens failed to be a team player, play within the offense, do his part. He is a limited WR, he is a #2 WR, a contested catch, deep threat. I don't see a high volume, #1 WR who can do everything, line up everywhere.

I will say this too about our new #1 WR Metcalf and our new #1 RB Kaleb Johnson. I love their demeanor on a play by play basis. They may make a big play, or even a routine play, and I saw countless times where they hand the ball to the ref, aren't demonstrative in terms of celebrating after the catch or run. With George Pickens he might make a good catch along the sideline and he has to celebrate and pose for the camera. How about acting like you have done it before?? I don't understand these players anymore that seem to get more joy out of the celebration once the play is over, rather than the play itself, if that makes any sense?

Anybody remember that play where DK and Seattle were playing the Arizona Cardinals and Buddha Baker intercepted the pass at the 5 yard line and was streaking for a pick six, but Metcalf showed off that, true, world class speed and ran him down and tackled him at the other 5 yard line. Think George Pickens could do that? Or would have the want to, the desire, the passion to do that??

Many talk of how DK is a head case, look at all the penalties, leads the NFL over the past few years, etc. Me? Penalties can be both good and bad, depending on the context. Is DK really hurting his team, or is he using that 6'3" 240 pound body to occasionally straddle that line? If he is physical and imposing his will on a defense, getting into occasional dustups, then that is fine by me. When was the last time we had a true WR that scared defenses physically? A real tone setter?? Someone that would get defenses, cornerbacks, safeties, linebackers to have their heads on a swivel, not knowing if they were going to have a hit delivered on them??

Kaleb Johnson. I watch all of his snaps and somebody, correct me if I'm wrong, but I did not see him try to hurdle or leap over anybody. Running Back is real simple, and I think you either have it or you don't. Kaleb knows how to run with the football, knows how to read blocks. He is not robotic at all like Najee. Harris would rarely see the cutback, see that lane where all had to do was put your foot down and make a cut, burst through to daylight. I read that Kaleb was 235 at his pro day, but was 224 at the combine. Wonder what his true weight was at Iowa last year.

I do see him as a perfect fit for Arthur Smith's running game. When you look at him, he does have a burst, but doesn't have that sustained long speed. Yet he did break off long runs, when you watch him run, he is what I call a glider, just a smooth effortless gait. It is an upright running style but I saw him able to make subtle cuts.

Contrast that with Najee Harris who would chop his feet, come to a stop, delusional at times, fancying himself as a nimble scatback. He would even leave his feet, jump, try to hurdle players, just ridiculous. A player that looked like Tarzan and played like Jane, and cried like a woman too much too. Signs a free agent contract, just a one year deal with the Chargers and then gives an interview saying how he didn't have any leaders, anybody to turn to in Pittsburgh. Hey, Asshole, you were supposed to be that leader, you were supposed to be the bell cow, you were supposed to be the core of the team, that is why they spent a 1st round pick on you, chose you as the first RB taken.

This team is better because we had two players in Najee Harris and George Pickens that were not team players, did not truly behave like cornerstones of a franchise is supposed to behave, both on the field, off the field and in the locker room. Metcalfe and Kaleb Johnson will be much better in my opinion and are more in line of what you want in cornerstone players on offense.

[jebrick]

https://www.si.com/nfl/teams-laughed-id ... s-steelers

Lucky to get a 3rd. Thanks Jerry

[jebrick]

Seeing some click bait out there suggesting the Steelers go back to negotiations with San Fran and try to get Aiyuk…. Thoughts?

Why would you pick up his contract? Sure is fine this year but not 2 years out and he might not play this year. I would let SF eat that contract.

[bradshaw2ben]

Listened to a piece from aditi whatshername from ESPN yesterday. She's now been around awhile and thinks the Steelers absolutely got the best of the deal. She said she's NEVER seen a player require as much constant attention on the sideline during the course of a game than GP...that his teammates and coaches were forever encouraging him to keep his head in the game, focus, etc.

Yeah, funny how everybody just forgets that on a game by game basis Pickens had his former Georgia Teammates, Darnell Washington and Broderick Jones, constantly talking to him to try and keep him under control. It almost looked like they were tasked to 'babysit' him throughout each game.

In watching Fields and Wilson play last year at QB, man, some are quick to say Pickens will shine with Dak Prescott now throwing to him. I think Dak is going to sadly find out what Fields and Wilson experienced. What I saw was an entitled WR who did not run his routes with conviction, sometimes you are not the primary target, sometimes it is your responsibility to clear out an area, to move that safety, to give your QB more of a window to throw to someone else. I saw many examples of big plays that didn't happen, or interceptions even, because Pickens failed to be a team player, play within the offense, do his part. He is a limited WR, he is a #2 WR, a contested catch, deep threat. I don't see a high volume, #1 WR who can do everything, line up everywhere.

I will say this too about our new #1 WR Metcalf and our new #1 RB Kaleb Johnson. I love their demeanor on a play by play basis. They may make a big play, or even a routine play, and I saw countless times where they hand the ball to the ref, aren't demonstrative in terms of celebrating after the catch or run. With George Pickens he might make a good catch along the sideline and he has to celebrate and pose for the camera. How about acting like you have done it before?? I don't understand these players anymore that seem to get more joy out of the celebration once the play is over, rather than the play itself, if that makes any sense?

Anybody remember that play where DK and Seattle were playing the Arizona Cardinals and Buddha Baker intercepted the pass at the 5 yard line and was streaking for a pick six, but Metcalf showed off that, true, world class speed and ran him down and tackled him at the other 5 yard line. Think George Pickens could do that? Or would have the want to, the desire, the passion to do that??

Many talk of how DK is a head case, look at all the penalties, leads the NFL over the past few years, etc. Me? Penalties can be both good and bad, depending on the context. Is DK really hurting his team, or is he using that 6'3" 240 pound body to occasionally straddle that line? If he is physical and imposing his will on a defense, getting into occasional dustups, then that is fine by me. When was the last time we had a true WR that scared defenses physically? A real tone setter?? Someone that would get defenses, cornerbacks, safeties, linebackers to have their heads on a swivel, not knowing if they were going to have a hit delivered on them??

Kaleb Johnson. I watch all of his snaps and somebody, correct me if I'm wrong, but I did not see him try to hurdle or leap over anybody. Running Back is real simple, and I think you either have it or you don't. Kaleb knows how to run with the football, knows how to read blocks. He is not robotic at all like Najee. Harris would rarely see the cutback, see that lane where all had to do was put your foot down and make a cut, burst through to daylight. I read that Kaleb was 235 at his pro day, but was 224 at the combine. Wonder what his true weight was at Iowa last year.

I do see him as a perfect fit for Arthur Smith's running game. When you look at him, he does have a burst, but doesn't have that sustained long speed. Yet he did break off long runs, when you watch him run, he is what I call a glider, just a smooth effortless gait. It is an upright running style but I saw him able to make subtle cuts.

Contrast that with Najee Harris who would chop his feet, come to a stop, delusional at times, fancying himself as a nimble scatback. He would even leave his feet, jump, try to hurdle players, just ridiculous. A player that looked like Tarzan and played like Jane, and cried like a woman too much too. Signs a free agent contract, just a one year deal with the Chargers and then gives an interview saying how he didn't have any leaders, anybody to turn to in Pittsburgh. Hey, Asshole, you were supposed to be that leader, you were supposed to be the bell cow, you were supposed to be the core of the team, that is why they spent a 1st round pick on you, chose you as the first RB taken.

This team is better because we had two players in Najee Harris and George Pickens that were not team players, did not truly behave like cornerstones of a franchise is supposed to behave, both on the field, off the field and in the locker room. Metcalfe and Kaleb Johnson will be much better in my opinion and are more in line of what you want in cornerstone players on offense.

Kaleb is definitely an upgrade over Harris but DK is roughly a wash from Pickens and DK will also likely to be driven crazy by poor QB play and asinine gameplans. It got him upset enough to want to get out of Seattle, and both his QB and his OC were better than what he will be working with now.

[Burgh Nike]

I will say this too about our new #1 WR Metcalf and our new #1 RB Kaleb Johnson. I love their demeanor on a play by play basis. They may make a big play, or even a routine play, and I saw countless times where they hand the ball to the ref, aren't demonstrative in terms of celebrating after the catch or run. With George Pickens he might make a good catch along the sideline and he has to celebrate and pose for the camera. How about acting like you have done it before?? I don't understand these players anymore that seem to get more joy out of the celebration once the play is over, rather than the play itself, if that makes any sense?

From Brown, to JuJu, to Claypool to Pickens. For at least the last 7 or 8 seasons 'post catch showmanship' was passed from one WR to the next, and has been a significant part of the WR crew's antics.

Roman Wilson was not around last season to pick that up, not that he would have anyway. Calvin Austin III never really did.

[Steel Bingo]

The constant self promotion after a first down was excessive, and the choreographed celebrations on offense got to be a bit over the top, too.

But if a 160lb, 4.2 running guy like CAIII wants to raise the roof, pump up his sneakers or strike a bodybuilder pose like Mike Wallace used to after a TD from time to time after a score, that is all in good fun to me.

The game should be enjoyed, and not be all business all the time. YMMV.

[Steelafan77]

Why would you pick up his contract? Sure is fine this year but not 2 years out and he might not play this year. I would let SF eat that contract.

Dumber things have happened in the nfl….right?

Think Aiyuk is over rated anyways.

Better off with developing Wilson and younger talent on the roster now.

[Havoc]

The local radio yahoo's here are excited to have Pickens on the Cowboys, excited about what their offense might look like with Lamb & Pickens on the field.

Tomlin failed to get thru to Pickens. Tomlin is no different than any other "good" coach having to get rid of the malcontents.

I don't blame Pickens for being frustrated playing for a dismal organization on offense, an organization without a great offensive mind anywhere that matters.

[tbsteel]

My heart screams for Pickens to get hurt this year. Bad. A gruesome injury. Something that scars all of us forever. And for the Cowboys to suck.

My head says it's better for the needed cleansing of the Steelers for Pickens to be awesome and for us to get embarrassed over and over and over again by how good he is next year while we suck.

My penis says "Howdy doody Mr. Poody, let me in!"

My balls say "AAhhh we're drowning in jizzism aaahhh gargle..."

My butthole says "Who farted? Oh yeah, it was me!!"

My brain tumor says "This sure is tasty! Nom noms!"

My peehole says "Hey, how did this fishhook get here? Woah it's starting to pull awAYYY AAHHHHH!!!

And my soul says "Release me, please."

[langer]

Marty Jr has to deal with this dude.

Can you imagine if Mike McCarthy were still there.

Hold on tight Jerruh. The first time Pickens tries to start a fight on the field will be must-see TV.

[Deebo]

https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story ... 570967007/

[langer]

I need a translator.

"They the cheapest organization. Ain’t no stacking year after year they gone let them (expletive) go too soon as it’s time Lmaoo."

[Havoc]

https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story ... 570967007/

Not a good look for Pickens, to say the least.

[drmalba]

https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story ... 570967007/

Not a good look for Pickens, to say the least.

This guy is proving to me he is.an absolute fucking chucklehead, but imagine if we had given him an actual NFL OC for his first season instead of Blame Canada. We might have only been easing into the mental case hijinks just this year.