With all the BIG moves this offseason, do we expect improvements?

[TimmayLake]

Signing Rodgers
Re-uping Watt to the biggest contract ever for a non-QB
Getting Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith
Drafting a Najee replacement

For the Steelers these are earth-shattering moves. The question is do we still expect 10-7, 9-8 WC and first round playoff exit? Or might we expect a deep playoff run and possible SB appearance?

[Works At A Bank]

Doesn’t matter who is on the roster. Until Tomlin and Deuce are gone I won’t expect anything better than NHALS and ass beatings in playoff games.

[.Kodiak]

Desperate moves trying to win a playoff game.

I don't really have a reason to expect Rodgers to be an upgrade over Wilson, unless Rodgers is secretly OC now. Has the rest of the roster been improved? Not really.

No one does less with more than Mediocre Mike. NHALS is pretty much his resume, at this point. It's been, what, 18 years? He's not changing his approach. It will only be by pure luck they don't get embarrassed in the playoffs again. Tomlin probably has a better chance of being here in 2026 if they go 9-8 and just miss the playoffs.

[Steelafan77]

The obvious goal is to win at least a post season game to end their embarrassing drought.

Beyond that I agree with Kodiak, it’ll take some luck getting anything more.

When you look at our roster you’ll see a group of long in the tooth F/A players. Significantly More than they’ve had in past seasons.

I believe they are in Must Win Now Mode. Will certainly make for an interesting season going forward.

Getting the older F/A players to buy in and gel with the fraudlin locker room will be an indictment of fraudlin’s coaching prowess.

This is all for legacy at this point. No coach wants to end a career with a 8+ in a row post season loss record. Arrogance and vanity.

The one good thing I believe we can conclude is the fraudlin's NHALS era of Steelers football is coming to an end.

When? Hopefully much sooner than later and still Anyone’s guess!

[CzechSteeler]

Signing Rodgers
Re-uping Watt to the biggest contract ever for a non-QB
Getting Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith
Drafting a Najee replacement

For the Steelers these are earth-shattering moves. The question is: do we still expect 10-7, 9-8 WC and first round playoff exit? Or might we expect a deep playoff run and possible SB appearance?

9:8 and first round playoff exit is most likely (after ass beating, of course). Missing play-off completely is also serious option. Deep playoff run under Tomlin? No way.

[TTP]

I think it depends on 4 things, which all have to happen:

1. Rodgers isn't washed. He hasn't a good season since 2021. Can Rodgers be somewhere between MVP form of 20/21 and mediocre/injured form of 22-24?
2. The tackles are serviceable or better. Jones has been a bust so far and Fautanu is a rookie. Can these guys keep Rodgers intact all season and allow time to consistently get the ball downfield to Metcalf?
3. If 1 and 2 are true, does Tomlin/Smith run an offense that has a reasonable chance to succeed. Does they open things up a bit and stop being so conservative (e.g., more aggressive on 1st down and 2nd and long, pass over the middle, take more chances in FG range, etc).
4. On defense, it's more about health. The D is old and it's best players are all on the downside of their careers. Can these guys remain healthy all season? If so, I think this could be a top 5 defense with an elite pass rush AND coverage.

If all 4 of these things happen, I could envision a better than NHALS season but no threat of a SB. 3 or even 2 out of 4 is NHALS. 1 or less is death to NHALS and a high draft pick.

[Deebo]

I think it depends on 4 things, which all have to happen:

1. Rodgers isn't washed. He hasn't a good season since 2021. Can Rodgers be somewhere between MVP form of 20/21 and mediocre/injured form of 22-24?
2. The tackles are serviceable or better. Jones has been a bust so far and Fautanu is a rookie. Can these guys keep Rodgers intact all season and allow time to consistently get the ball downfield to Metcalf?
3. If 1 and 2 are true, does Tomlin/Smith run an offense that has a reasonable chance to succeed. Does they open things up a bit and stop being so conservative (e.g., more aggressive on 1st down and 2nd and long, pass over the middle, take more chances in FG range, etc).
4. On defense, it's more about health. The D is old and it's best players are all on the downside of their careers. Can these guys remain healthy all season? If so, I think this could be a top 5 defense with an elite pass rush AND coverage.

If all 4 of these things happen, I could envision a better than NHALS season but no threat of a SB. 3 or even 2 out of 4 is NHALS. 1 or less is death to NHALS and a high draft pick.

Good summary.

I was going to post about Cam and Watt being healthy but your #4 addressed that.
How likely is it that both these dudes play the majority of the season? I'd put those odds at 50/50

[Gonzo]

No

[Gonzo]

I think it depends on 4 things, which all have to happen:

1. Rodgers isn't washed. He hasn't a good season since 2021. Can Rodgers be somewhere between MVP form of 20/21 and mediocre/injured form of 22-24?
2. The tackles are serviceable or better. Jones has been a bust so far and Fautanu is a rookie. Can these guys keep Rodgers intact all season and allow time to consistently get the ball downfield to Metcalf?
3. If 1 and 2 are true, does Tomlin/Smith run an offense that has a reasonable chance to succeed. Does they open things up a bit and stop being so conservative (e.g., more aggressive on 1st down and 2nd and long, pass over the middle, take more chances in FG range, etc).
4. On defense, it's more about health. The D is old and it's best players are all on the downside of their careers. Can these guys remain healthy all season? If so, I think this could be a top 5 defense with an elite pass rush AND coverage.

If all 4 of these things happen, I could envision a better than NHALS season but no threat of a SB. 3 or even 2 out of 4 is NHALS. 1 or less is death to NHALS and a high draft pick.

Good summary.

I was going to post about Cam and Watt being healthy but your #4 addressed that.
How likely is it that both these dudes play the majority of the season? I'd put those odds at 50/50

i think the most likely scenario is only one of those things will be true and it is likely #2

people keep forgetting how rodgers has played recently - and his last playoff game in GB he was quite unimpressive

i think there is zero chance of #3 - they only want rodgers to not throw INTs and not take sacks …. at all costs.

all that said - i do expect rodgers to do the job they want him to do - no INTs, quick passes … lobs, TEs short and dump off. i don’t think he will play all 17 games but do expect the Tomlin Plan to achieve e 9-8 but i don’t think they will make the playoffs as i expect the bengals, broncos, chargers and one surprise team to be better this year

[anpsteel]

Seemingly, I am a special kind of moron

I actually think there’s a good chance The tiger is going to change his stripes.

As I’ve stated before- I don’t think there’s any chance Aaron Rodgers would sign with the Steelers if he thought they were going to be running the same offense they ran last year and the three years prior

I also don’t think the team would go to the lengths they have gone to bring in high dollar free agents if they were just going to "run it back".

With all that being said, can we trust dopey the owl, not to interfere and not to revert to his bonehead tendencies, and brain dead strategy of playing not to lose?

Also, while I have no significant concern about Aaron Rodgers physical capacity to still be a top level quarterback; I do seriously question his mental state

If you’ve ever gone through burnout, then you know it is virtually impossible to overcome just by will.

One of the most important components of change, is personal motivation.

Is Mike Tomlin motivated to win, enough so that he has come to the realization he needs to get out of his own way?

Is Aaron Rodgers desire to end his career on a winning note enough to motivate him to stay engaged through the season?

If I were a Vegas oddsmaker, I would give this a 30% to 40% chance of working

As a special kind of retard and a lifelong Steeler fan, who wants something to root for on Sundays, I am optimistically giving this a 60% to 70% chance

Like I said, I’m a fucking moron

[Thrillsseeker]

I think it depends on 4 things, which all have to happen:

1. Rodgers isn't washed. He hasn't a good season since 2021. Can Rodgers be somewhere between MVP form of 20/21 and mediocre/injured form of 22-24?
2. The tackles are serviceable or better. Jones has been a bust so far and Fautanu is a rookie. Can these guys keep Rodgers intact all season and allow time to consistently get the ball downfield to Metcalf?
3. If 1 and 2 are true, does Tomlin/Smith run an offense that has a reasonable chance to succeed. Does they open things up a bit and stop being so conservative (e.g., more aggressive on 1st down and 2nd and long, pass over the middle, take more chances in FG range, etc).
4. On defense, it's more about health. The D is old and it's best players are all on the downside of their careers. Can these guys remain healthy all season? If so, I think this could be a top 5 defense with an elite pass rush AND coverage.

If all 4 of these things happen, I could envision a better than NHALS season but no threat of a SB. 3 or even 2 out of 4 is NHALS. 1 or less is death to NHALS and a high draft pick.

Good summary.

I was going to post about Cam and Watt being healthy but your #4 addressed that.
How likely is it that both these dudes play the majority of the season? I'd put those odds at 50/50

i think the most likely scenario is only one of those things will be true and it is likely #2

people keep forgetting how rodgers has played recently - and his last playoff game in GB he was quite unimpressive

i think there is zero chance of #3 - they only want rodgers to not throw INTs and not take sacks …. at all costs.

all that said - i do expect rodgers to do the job they want him to do - no INTs, quick passes … lobs, TEs short and dump off. i don’t think he will play all 17 games but do expect the Tomlin Plan to achieve e 9-8 but i don’t think they will make the playoffs as i expect the bengals, broncos, chargers and one surprise team to be better this year

The jets have been a hot mess of epic proportions. The last few games for Rogers there were good for him. I believe after getting past the Achilles is a direct reflection of those last games he played there. I think he’s going to be better than people believe. Can that change with a sack? Absolutely. He’s old and could easily get hurt.

I also believe this offense will be opened up with him at the helm. I do not believe He’ll have free rein and call his own plays every game but I do believe it will be better all around than the slop and slather they’ve put out. Breyer than slightly better. Fraudlins ineptitude has been the main reason our offense has sucked the last few years. He should be accountable. I love any heat this pos takes from the media, need more and more negativity put out on this fraud. That is why I believe he will let Rogers have more freedom to run some of his stuff and not completely neuter the offense yet again.

[CzechSteeler]

Seemingly, I am a special kind of moron.

I actually think there’s a good chance The tiger is going to change his stripes.

As I’ve stated before- I don’t think there’s any chance Aaron Rodgers would sign with the Steelers if he thought they were going to be running the same offense they ran last year and the three years prior.

Somebody on this forum posted (and I agree with him) that our offense will look like last years of Ben. No audibles, no between the hashmarks passes etc. And if we are just a few points behind after 3rd quarter, we´re going no huddle offense. Rogers will call his plays time from time.

But seriously - I would like to be a fly on the wall seeing and hearing Rogers´ reaction when Tomlin explains U-shaped offense for the 1st time to him.

[Gonzo]

Seemingly, I am a special kind of moron

I actually think there’s a good chance The tiger is going to change his stripes.

As I’ve stated before- I don’t think there’s any chance Aaron Rodgers would sign with the Steelers if he thought they were going to be running the same offense they ran last year and the three years prior

I also don’t think the team would go to the lengths they have gone to bring in high dollar free agents if they were just going to "run it back".

With all that being said, can we trust dopey the owl, not to interfere and not to revert to his bonehead tendencies, and brain dead strategy of playing not to lose?

Also, while I have no significant concern about Aaron Rodgers physical capacity to still be a top level quarterback; I do seriously question his mental state

If you’ve ever gone through burnout, then you know it is virtually impossible to overcome just by will.

One of the most important components of change, is personal motivation.

Is Mike Tomlin motivated to win, enough so that he has come to the realization he needs to get out of his own way?

Is Aaron Rodgers desire to end his career on a winning note enough to motivate him to stay engaged through the season?

If I were a Vegas oddsmaker, I would give this a 30% to 40% chance of working

As a special kind of retard and a lifelong Steeler fan, who wants something to root for on Sundays, I am optimistically giving this a 60% to 70% chance

Like I said, I’m a fucking moron

I hope you are right

I have zero hope Tomlin will change and we have been doing this dance for 10 years at least
I believe he views Rodger’s as simply being a better tool to run his/smiths O than Wilson, fields, Rudolph or Pickett or he’ll even Ben. In fact Rodger’s at this stage/age may well be the perfect tool for that. They want to limit sacks and TOs and maximize TOP. Rodger’s can do that … as it’s more than just getting rid of the ball quick … it’s doing it quick, accurate and reading it right to avoid major negative plays. Drop, make the read and get rid of the ball. And if they are behind late maybe he can still make plays without turning it over. Jonnu smith is also the perfect match.

They aren’t going to change anything …. Your hope lies in Rodger’s like Ben being able to bail them out. They are going to play close, slow, TOP games … ain’t a chance in hell they are ‘opening’ things up until there is absolutely no other choice. Why now with Tomlin ? While I agree he has a mandate to win or else … I do not believe anyone is dictating to him the Plan of how to do it or telling him to change his equation …. He won’t.

[Gonzo]

Seemingly, I am a special kind of moron.

I actually think there’s a good chance The tiger is going to change his stripes.

As I’ve stated before- I don’t think there’s any chance Aaron Rodgers would sign with the Steelers if he thought they were going to be running the same offense they ran last year and the three years prior.

Somebody on this forum posted (and I agree with him) that our offense will look like last years of Ben. No audibles, no between the hashmarks passes etc. And if we are just a few points behind after 3rd quarter, we´re going no huddle offense. Rogers will call his plays time from time.

But seriously - I would like to be a fly on the wall seeing and hearing Rogers´ reaction when Tomlin explains U-shaped offense for the 1st time to him.

I agree 100%

[anpsteel]

Seemingly, I am a special kind of moron.

I actually think there’s a good chance The tiger is going to change his stripes.

As I’ve stated before- I don’t think there’s any chance Aaron Rodgers would sign with the Steelers if he thought they were going to be running the same offense they ran last year and the three years prior.

Somebody on this forum posted (and I agree with him) that our offense will look like last years of Ben. No audibles, no between the hashmarks passes etc. And if we are just a few points behind after 3rd quarter, we´re going no huddle offense. Rogers will call his plays time from time.

But seriously - I would like to be a fly on the wall seeing and hearing Rogers´ reaction when Tomlin explains U-shaped offense for the 1st time to him.

This is why I believe the reality of the situation is about a 30%-40% chance of working

Rodgers is going to mail it in on several occasions, but more importantly, Tomlin is absolutely going to implement a "time pressure" game plan, and Rodgers is going to go off the reservation over it.

[anpsteel]

Seemingly, I am a special kind of moron

I actually think there’s a good chance The tiger is going to change his stripes.

As I’ve stated before- I don’t think there’s any chance Aaron Rodgers would sign with the Steelers if he thought they were going to be running the same offense they ran last year and the three years prior

I also don’t think the team would go to the lengths they have gone to bring in high dollar free agents if they were just going to "run it back".

With all that being said, can we trust dopey the owl, not to interfere and not to revert to his bonehead tendencies, and brain dead strategy of playing not to lose?

Also, while I have no significant concern about Aaron Rodgers physical capacity to still be a top level quarterback; I do seriously question his mental state

If you’ve ever gone through burnout, then you know it is virtually impossible to overcome just by will.

One of the most important components of change, is personal motivation.

Is Mike Tomlin motivated to win, enough so that he has come to the realization he needs to get out of his own way?

Is Aaron Rodgers desire to end his career on a winning note enough to motivate him to stay engaged through the season?

If I were a Vegas oddsmaker, I would give this a 30% to 40% chance of working

As a special kind of retard and a lifelong Steeler fan, who wants something to root for on Sundays, I am optimistically giving this a 60% to 70% chance

Like I said, I’m a fucking moron

I hope you are right

I have zero hope Tomlin will change and we have been doing this dance for 10 years at least
I believe he views Rodger’s as simply being a better tool to run his/smiths O than Wilson, fields, Rudolph or Pickett or he’ll even Ben. In fact Rodger’s at this stage/age may well be the perfect tool for that. They want to limit sacks and TOs and maximize TOP. Rodger’s can do that … as it’s more than just getting rid of the ball quick … it’s doing it quick, accurate and reading it right to avoid major negative plays. Drop, make the read and get rid of the ball. And if they are behind late maybe he can still make plays without turning it over. Jonnu smith is also the perfect match.

They aren’t going to change anything …. Your hope lies in Rodger’s like Ben being able to bail them out. They are going to play close, slow, TOP games … ain’t a chance in hell they are ‘opening’ things up until there is absolutely no other choice. Why now with Tomlin ? While I agree he has a mandate to win or else … I do not believe anyone is dictating to him the Plan of how to do it or telling him to change his equation …. He won’t.

Like I said, that's the view through my Steelers Homer glasses.... the reality vision is much different.

Hopefully it makes the season more enjoyable than the past 3 or 4 years, irrespective.

[tbsteel]

Hopefully not.

[Steelafan77]

I may get hate mail for this.

Would be so interesting to see the season unfold where a certain starter was taken out of the game by say game 3, at worst by game 5.

Insert the back up player to this position and watch a few squeak by wins followed by humiliating gut wrenching losses.

Insert a certain 6th RND rookie by default seeing what you got in him real time evaluating whether you even need to draft a player at this position.

Now, imagine for a moment you didn’t have to use premium draft picks to move up to draft for this position?

I know I’m living in fantasy land. Don’t eat the brown acid,… all that rhetorical scarca.

[Gonzo]

no hate mail from me !!
that would accomplish everything
likely lead to tomlins removal
get a good QB
and we have an ass ton of picks to build around the young players
add trading watt metcalf and highsmith

[anpsteel]

I may get hate mail for this.

Would be so interesting to see the season unfold where a certain starter was taken out of the game by say game 3, at worst by game 5.

Insert the back up player to this position and watch a few squeak by wins followed by humiliating gut wrenching losses.

Insert a certain 6th RND rookie by default seeing what you got in him real time evaluating whether you even need to draft a player at this position.

Now, imagine for a moment you didn’t have to use premium draft picks to move up to draft for this position?

I know I’m living in fantasy land. Don’t eat the brown acid,… all that rhetorical scarca.

What would make that perfect, is if the implosion resulted in Tomlin being fired

[CoolShades]

I may get hate mail for this.

Would be so interesting to see the season unfold where a certain starter was taken out of the game by say game 3, at worst by game 5.

Insert the back up player to this position and watch a few squeak by wins followed by humiliating gut wrenching losses.

Insert a certain 6th RND rookie by default seeing what you got in him real time evaluating whether you even need to draft a player at this position.

Now, imagine for a moment you didn’t have to use premium draft picks to move up to draft for this position?

I know I’m living in fantasy land. Don’t eat the brown acid,… all that rhetorical scarca.

What would make that perfect, is if the implosion resulted in Tomlin being fired

I support this result.

I don’t really care about anything else at this point. Tomlin is a cancer. This team is nowhere close to a Super Bowl, and this offseason has been a desperate attempt to get him a playoff win to stop the complaining and Marvin Lewis comparisons. The only way that happens is if Rodgers stays healthy and calls his own plays.

They are throwing shit at the wall now, seeing what will stick.

[Who Dee Knee]

Signing Rodgers
Re-uping Watt to the biggest contract ever for a non-QB
Getting Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith
Drafting a Najee replacement

For the Steelers these are earth-shattering moves. The question is do we still expect 10-7, 9-8 WC and first round playoff exit? Or might we expect a deep playoff run and possible SB appearance?

You forgot Metcalf and Harmon.

[.Kodiak]

desperate attempt to get him a playoff win to stop the complaining and Marvin Lewis comparisons.

Fun fact: Mike Tomlin would hold the record for consecutive playoff losses (9 and counting) if he hadn't beaten Marvin Lewis - the current holder at 8 - in the playoffs nearly a decade ago. A win that was, let's be honest, practically stolen in one of the most amazing playoff collapses in history. Buckner-esque.

[955876]

desperate attempt to get him a playoff win to stop the complaining and Marvin Lewis comparisons.

Fun fact: Mike Tomlin would hold the record for consecutive playoff losses (9 and counting) if he hadn't beaten Marvin Lewis - the current holder at 8 - in the playoffs nearly a decade ago. A win that was, let's be honest, practically stolen in one of the most amazing playoff collapses in history. Buckner-esque.

Our new SB is hoping for more Mike Tomlin playoff losses so that someday soon he can own (likely forever) that record.

But he’s a master of escaping by the hairs on his chinny chin chin.

He most likely squeaks out a playoff win to avoid owning that pathetic record by one game.

And if he does I GUARANTEE this and will bet any amount of money on it.

Once Mike Tomlin finally wins aolayoff game again (if he ever does) this team is going to come out sooooo flat and unprepared the following week it’ll be embarrassing.

They are going to celebrate that wildcard round playoff win like they just 3-peated as SB champs..

[steelmann58]

This team has one shot before a blowup and nabbing your franchise QB

[CzechSteeler]

desperate attempt to get him a playoff win to stop the complaining and Marvin Lewis comparisons.

Fun fact: Mike Tomlin would hold the record for consecutive playoff losses (9 and counting) if he hadn't beaten Marvin Lewis - the current holder at 8 - in the playoffs nearly a decade ago. A win that was, let's be honest, practically stolen in one of the most amazing playoff collapses in history. Buckner-esque.

Once Mike Tomlin finally wins a playoff game again (if he ever does) this team is going to come out sooooo flat and unprepared the following week it’ll be embarrassing.

And once he gets that elusive win, Rooney will sign him to 3 year extension almost immediately.

[Steeldrama]

There's A LOT that bothers me about Mike Tomlin, but what REALLY has me extra annoyed on this the final round of The Open is NOW Tomlin is finally all in to win a playoff game.

Like Cool Shades was perfectly content to lose 8 straight, but now that he'll set some sort of record for playoff futility he's all in???

Fuck that guy.

I'm not one to openly root against my once beloved Steelers, but man a twisted part of me soooo wants this all to blow up in Tomlin's face.

Is that shit-off stupid strength coach still with the team?

Have Rodgers push some sleds around and that guy could put us all out of our misery before August hits.

[Obviously]

Doesn’t matter who is on the roster. Until Tomlin and Deuce are gone I won’t expect anything better than NHALS and ass beatings in playoff games.

The correct answer.

Johnny Unitas circa 1965, Jim Brown circa 1962, Jerry Rice circa 1989 and the '76 Steel Curtain Defense on the Steelers would only achieve NHALS with Cool Shades at the helm

[Obviously]

This team has one shot before a blowup and nabbing your franchise QB

See my post above.

[Obviously]

Again, while Cool Shades can only take the Steelers so far because he is Cool Shades, the real root cause is Art II like the Pirates is nutting and the Penguins is Fenway Group. With the Steelers, Art II is stuck on "The Steelers' Way" and optics. He could fire Cool Shades tomorrow and guaranteed he'd hire a head coach with the exact football philosophy as Tomlin or damned close to it which would like gain playoff success in 1975 but not today. The optics that Art II is in love with more than Lombardi trophies is "Three Head Coaches since 1969" and, of course "NHALS." And while many may disagree, Art II knows full well the backlash he would receive from the national sports media for parting ways with an African-American head coach who has NHALS. You know it's true.