Tag Archives: Mitch Trubisky

Steelers 2026 Draft Needs at Tight End: Time to Tighten Up Depth

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Tight end was supposed to be a position of strength in the Steelers 2025 offense.

Instead it was a source of frustration, for the most part. Two of the four tight ends from the Steelers 2025 roster are gone – Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington remain while Connor Heyward left in free agency and Jonnu Smith got his walking papers.

So Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy will have to add someone, but how urgent of a need is tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers going into the 2026 NFL Draft?

This is the latest article in our Steelers 2026 Draft series.

Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward during the Steelers 2025 win over the Miami Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium.

Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward celebrate a touchdown. Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images via A to Z Sports.

The Steelers Tight End Depth Chart Entering the 2026 NFL Draft – The Starters

We will not remember Kevin Colbert’s final drafts fondly. But he clearly made the right pick when he drafted Pat Freiermuth in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Pat Freiermuth won the starting job as a rookie and has appeared in all but five games since then. Far more importantly, Pat Freiermuth has been the most consistent player on the Pittsburgh Steelers offense during that entire span.

When Ben Roethlisberger, Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers have absolutely needed to complete a pass, they’ve looked Pat Freiermuth’s way. Hence, the frustration in 2025 when Arthur Smith gave playing time to Jonnu Smith at Freiermuth’s expense.

One player who the Steelers did look to involve whenever possible was Darnell Washington. You can see for yourself:

The Steelers drafted Darnell Washington in the 4th round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and the prospect of a 6’7” 264 pound (that’s his weight listed in Pro Football Reference. Yeah, right) tight end captivated the imagination of Steelers Nation.

Washington’s overall numbers as a pass catcher are not terribly impressive, but his role has grown on the offense every year, and he continues to improve. More importantly, as the clip above reveals, Washington has potential as a weapon in the passing game that goes well beyond what’s stats measure.

Oh, and Washington enough of an asset as a blocker that veteran Steelers scribe Jim Wexell thinks he may one day follow in Larry Brown’s footsteps and transition to tackle.

Larry Brown, Super Bowl IX

Larry Brown catches a touchdown in Super Bowl XI. Photo Credit, Twitter, Vintage Steelers

Pat Freiermuth already has 5 years of experience under his belt and is just 28 years and remains under contract through the 2028 season.

Darnell Washington is 24, and although he’s only got one year remaining on his rookie contract, the Steelers have already indicated that re-upping him is one of this summer’s priorities.

The Steelers Tight End Depth Chart Entering the 2026 NFL Draft – The Backup

If the Steelers have two solid starters at tight end, the cupboard behind them is pretty bare. The only other tight end they have is JJ Galbreath. JJ Galbreath played at South Dakota was part of the Steelers 2025 undrafted rookie free agent class.

At the time, Steel City Insider’s Roy Coutryman described him this way:

He possesses an enticing build (6-3, 231) with solid length (32 arms) that needs more bulk to withstand the rigors of the next level. However, his athletic testing speaks for itself with a 4.67 40, 38 inch vertical, and agility times (4.20 short shuttle and 6.82 3-cone) that put him on par with some of the best in the league.

Galbreath is an ideal candidate to squirrel away on the practice squad for a year while he adds the necessary strength and bulk to contribute in the run game. His athleticism and prowess as a pass-catcher alone make him enough of a talent that deserves monitoring during training camp.

The Steelers did cut him at the end of the summer and put him on the practice squad, but his stint there was short, as they released him on mid-September, but did sign him to a futures contract in January.

Steelers 2026 Draft Needs at Tight End

And the Steelers resigned Connor Heyward their draft need at tight end would be Fair and possibly trending towards Low.

But they let Heyward walk, and the only other tight end they have on their roster was a guy who they didn’t deem worthy of a practice squad spot beyond week 2.

The Pittsburgh Steelers draft needs scale

They’re set at starter with Freiermuth and Washington as their starters. And, assuming they can sign Washington and both enjoy good health the Steelers shouldn’t have toe worry about finding starter-capable or future starting tight end for at least a season or two.

By they must add depth behind Freiermuth and Washington, so the Steelers need at tight end going into the 2026 NFL Draft must be considered as Moderate.

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Steelers Free Agency: Should Pittsburgh Re-Sign Connor Heyward?

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“Bloodlines are important to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.”

We heard it when they drafted Terrell Edmunds. A year later we heard it again when Kevin Colbert traded up to get Devin Bush Jr.. The words were ringing in our ears when they signed Derek Watt in free agency yet another year later.

By the time they drafted Connor Heyward in 2022, the phrase had almost become passé.

Yet neither Terrell Edmunds, nor Devin Bush, nor Derek Watt stuck around long-term in Pittsburgh. As Connor Heyward reaches free agency, will he be the exception?

Connor Heyward, Connor Heyward 1st touchdown, Steelers vs Falcons

Connor Heyward scores his first touchdown. Photo Credit: Post-Gazette.com

Capsule Profile of Connor Heyward’s Career with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Kevin Colbert drafted Connor Heyward in the 6th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Heyward was a roster-bubble baby to begin with, but made the team officially as a reserve tight end, with the understanding that his role would be as a hybrid tight end/full back.

After seeing spot duty early in the season, Connor Heyward made his first highlight-worthy play when he caught a field-flipping 45 yard pass from Mitch Trubisky at set up Chase Claypool’s touchdown in the Steelers upset of Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Six weeks later he scored his first touchdown, on a 17-yard strike from Kenny Pickett, giving the Steelers their only touchdown in a 19-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

In 2023 Heyward’s role grew in the offense, as his nearly doubled his catch and target total from the previous year. He only made 45 catches over his first two years, but 14 of those converted first downs and Heyward appeared to be building a niche for himself in the Steelers’ offense….

….And then Arthur Smith arrived.

At first glance Smith’s hire seemed like it might be a boon for Connor Heyward, as his offense feature tight ends. Indeed, they do. So much that Smith had a hand in bringing MyCole Pruitt and Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh.

  • And both players got playing time at Connor Heyward’s expense.

Heyward got 12 targets and 9 catches in 2024 and 2025, combined – or fewer than his rookie season. During 2024 Connor Heyward did earn role as the ball carrier on the Steel City Shove.

Connor Heyward scores a touchdown during the 2025 Steelers win over the Ravens at Acrisure.

Connor Heyward ties the game on the Steel City Shove. Photo Credit: Taylor Ollason, Steelers.com

He rushed the ball 15 times for 45 yards, 11 first downs and 2 touchdowns, including the Steelers first in Mike Tomlin’s final career win.

The Case for the Steelers Re-Signing Connor Heyward

Connor Heyward has delivered excellent value as a 6th round pick. He’s proven to be versatile, both as a blocker, receiver and rusher. Connor Heyward is never going to be the kind of player that opposing defensive coordinators lose sleep game planning against, nor is he ever going to give defenders 2nd thoughts about tackling him the way Darnell Washington will.

But in four years, Connor Heyward has shown he is the kind of player who you delivers when you call his number.

He’s the kind of player who makes plays that help win football games that don’t always show up in the stat sheet.

The Case Against the Steelers Re-Signing Connor Heyward

In four years has Connor Heyward done anything that an undrafted rookie free agent couldn’t do? Sure, Arthur Smith favored his former players at Heyward’s expense, but contrast Connor Heyward’s contributions with Derek Watt’s, a niche player who did deliver a difference.

Derek Watt, Steelers vs Eagles

Derek Watt catches a touchdown. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

The Steelers were 7-1 when Derek Watt got a carry. Can anyone look at the last two years and argue:

You know, what the missing link for Steelers offense has been? They never let Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers let it rip to Connor Heyward.

Yeah, right.

Having Connor Heyward as Cam Heyward’s little brother in Pittsburgh has given the franchise a feel good story. But he’s had four years to prove he can be a difference maker and four years later, the Steelers offense is still struggling.

It is unduly harsh to charge Connor Heyward with being part of the problem, but he’s done scant little to suggest he’s earned the right to be part of the solution.

The Curtain’s Call on Connor Heyward and Steelers

Connor Heyward is the type of player you want to have on your team. He’s always going to be one of the guys on the roster bubble, but one of the tricks to making a championship run is to get roster bubble guys who give you a little something extra.

The Steelers have two solid tight ends in Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Connor Heyward gives them a versatile 3rd option who can line up in the backfield in a pinch. Mike McCarthy once went into a regular season carrying 5 tight ends on his roster.

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The Pros and Cons of the Steelers Re-signing Aaron Rodgers in 2026

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Aaron Rodgers has yet to decide if he wants to play in 2026, but if are Mike McCarthy, Omar Khan and Art Rooney II right to welcome him back?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have no long-term answer at quarterback and haven’t since Ben Roethlisberger threw out his arm in 2019.

  • That’s not for lack of trying.

They’ve attempted quarterback-reclamation projects, signing not one but three former first-round picks. Two flamed out and Dwayne Haskins, God rest his soul, passed way. They’ve tried investing a first-round pick and, if nothing else, proved Pittsburgh can embrace the “fail fast principle” when warranted.

They’ve also tried what Jim Wexell termed as the Bobby Layne approach, signing an aging franchise QB. Twice. Results have been a bit better, but neither veteran has improved the Steelers post-season prospects.

With that backstory in mind, we look at the Pros and Cons of resigning Aaron Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers vs Dolphins, Steelers vs Dolphins MNF

Aaron Rodgers flicks it as Minkah Fitzpatrick can only watch. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Capsule Profile of Aaron Rodgers’ Career with the Steelers

IF Pittsburgh Magazine did a “Person of the Year” award for the city of Pittsburgh then Aaron Rodgers would have won hands down. He dominated Steelers storylines for months – even before he made his covert stop at the South Side in April.

When he signed in June, the narrative on the off season shifted from “the franchise is in intentional tank” mode to “We’re All In!”

Neither proved to be true, but Rodgers did mesh well with the team, and proceeded to start 16 of 17 games for the Steelers in the regular season. His record was 10-6, he threw498 passes for 327 completions on 498 attempts, for 3322 yards with 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

He was 0-1 in the playoffs, where he barely completed 50% of his passes and had 2 defensive scores.

The Case for the Steelers Resigning Aaron Rodgers in 2026

The case for the Steelers resigning Aaron Rodgers in 2026 proceeds from the speicifc to the general.

Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen (you forgot about him, didn’t you?), Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers have all thrown passes for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Everyone but Allen has started multiple games for the franchise.

Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, Steelers 2022 quarterback competition

Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph. Photo Credit: Brandon Sloter / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images and The Athletic.)

Aaron Rodgers gave the Steelers their best quarterbacking they’ve enjoyed since Roethlisberger retired. And its not even close.

Yes, you can quibble as Joe Starkey did that Russell Wilson had a better passer rating by a hair. Yeah, and Walter Abercrombie had a better career rushing average then Jerome Bettis….

Seriously, the reason why the Steelers closed the season strong in 2025 while sputtering in 2024 was because Aaron Rodgers elevated his play and the team in ways that Wilson tried and failed to do.

Beyond that, there is also the inconvenient truth that, the Steelers long term answer at quarterback probably isn’t out there to be found in the 2026 off season. Even if he is out there in the draft or already on the roster in the form of Will Howard, Rodgers would serve as a mentor.

Then, there’s the question of cost. Assuming Rodgers is open to playing at the salary level he played at in 2025, the Steelers will never get that level of play at quarterback for that salary cap from another NFL veteran.

  • Finally, there’s the question of Aaron Rodgers and his relationship with Mike McCarthy.

The last time the Steelers had a new head coach, Twitter did not even exist and Facebook’s biggest competitor was probably “MySpace.” Mike Tomlin’s thumbprint is deeply engrained on the fabric of the franchise.

Mike McCarthy is going to do things differently. And even if those changes will be for the better, they’re bound to create tension. Having Aaron Rodgers in the locker room can ensure that that tension is directed constructively.

The Case Against the Steelers Resigning Aaron Rodgers in 2026

Going from general to specific, the case against the Steelers resigning Aaron Rodgers in 2026 starts with the fact that the team continues to kick the quarterback can down the road.

The Steelers have had at least three chances for a “clean” reset since Ben Roethlisberger’s injury in 2019, and each time they’ve focused on the here and now. How many more band aids can the franchise apply?

Aaron Rodgers safety, Khalil Mack, Aaron Rodgers, Steelers vs Chargers, Steelers vs Chargers SNF,

Khalil Mack sacks Aaron Rogers for a safety. Photo Credit: IMAGN Images, via Tribune-Review

And while Aaron Rodgers may have been a “good” quarterback and played “well” at times in 2025 there’s a harsh reality hiding behind some of those numbers: Rodgers struggled against defenses with elite pass rushes. Worse than struggling, he looked skittish, kinda like a 42 year old man who was rapidly tiring of getting hit by 250 to 300 pound 20 somethings.

Sure, the offensive line can mature and build on the improvements it showed during the course of 2025. But overall that’s not a tendency that will improve.

The Curtain’s Call on the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers in 2026

The ball is in Aaron Rodgers’ court. Art Rooney, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy all say that Aaron Rodgers wants back.

  • When he was in New York, Rodgers said he’d be open to playing for McCarthy again.

By all accounts Rodgers liked the team and the city. Assuming Rodgers is willing to play for the same type of salary he played at in 2026 there’s every reason why the Steelers should and will welcome him back.

Regardless, Rodgers has to make a choice and he must do it before free agency. Neal Coolong has suggested that Rodgers may wait to see if Minnesota is interested – that’s his prerogative, but the Steelers cannot wait.

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Mike Tomlin Steelers Legacy: 19 Years of Winning in Pittsburgh

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Mike Tomlin left the Pittsburgh Steelers the same way he arrived – unheralded and unanticipated.

When Bill Cowher called it a day after the Steelers 2006 season, everyone knew either Russ Grimm or Ken Whisenhunt would get the job. Art Rooney II admitted that he didn’t expect to hire yet Mike Tomlin when he walked in the door, but Tomlin knocked his and Dan Rooney’s socks off.

By the same token, Art Rooney wasn’t expecting Mike Tomlin to step away following the loss to the Texans. But step away he has. Here we review Mike Tomlin’s full legacy as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, balancing his accomplishments and shortcomings, all framed within their historical context.

Mike Tomlin, Mike Tomlin Franco Harris Jersey, Steelers vs Raiders

Mike Tomlin wearing a Franco Harris jersey. Photo Credit: Fred Vuich, AP via St. Albert Gazette

2007 – 2010: Cementing the Franchise Legacy

Few NFL coaches get handed the keys to a Super Bowl team.

If you think that winning is “simple” for them then please Google Phil Bengtson, Ray Handley and Richie Petitbon. A coach who takes the reins of a Super Bowl-caliber team must do much more than “not mess up.”

As Willie Colon explains, “It’s hard to grab the keys to the Porsche and not crash it.”

In his first season, Mike Tomlin took an underperforming team that had gone 8-8 in 2006 and led them to a 10-6 record and an AFC North Championship.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Ben Roethlisberger connected with Heath Miller to bring the Steelers within 5 points. Mike Tomlin went for two. Roethlisberger hit Hines Ward bringing narrowing the difference to three.

Except Sean Mahan got flagged for holding. Tomlin didn’t bat an eye and went for two again. But this time, Roethlisberger couldn’t connect.

  • The Steelers did score again. But so did the Jaguars who won the game 31 to 29.

The move was controversial at the time, but with social media in its infancy the fan rage muted by 2026 standards.

But by doubling down in going for 2, Mike Tomlin established his legacy as a head coach who would put games in the hands of his players and trust them to deliver with the game on the line.

With the Arizona Cardinals threatening to take the lead as the first half closed, James Harrison, granted the freedom to freelance by Tomlin and Dick LeBeau, audibled out of his pass rush assignment and dropped into coverage. 100 yards later Harrison authored the longest run in Super Bowl history, putting the Steelers up 17 to 7.

james harrison, super bowl xliii, interception, record, pick six

James Harrison’s dramatic interception in Super Bowl XLIII

By the time more points were needed to put Pittsburgh back in the lead, the culture of trust and confidence in one another Tomlin had built proved to be the difference maker, as observed at the time:

the Steelers poise and camaraderie were consistent for four quarters. The men in Black and Gold never lost their belief in themselves nor their faith in one another. When faced with adversity, they persevered, they remained determined. And they did it together. That’s been the case all season.

And that’s what made them Super Bowl champions.

The Steelers 2009 season will and should be remembered for the Super Bowl hangover Tomlin tried and failed to avoid.

  • But 2009 revealed something important about Tomlin: His ability to rally a down team.

Memories have faded, but Tomlin’s Steelers never looked worse than they did during 2009’s 5-game losing streak. Yet, Tomlin rallied them for 3 straight wins.

In 2010, the Steelers suffered one of their worst off seasons ever as the word “Midgeville” entered the vernacular. Willie Colon was lost for the season in June. With Ben Roethlisberger suspended for 4 games, Tomlin brought Byron Leftwich back to Pittsburgh. Leftwich broke his leg in preseason.

By week, 2 Mike Tomlin was playing Charlie Batch, effectively his 4th string quarterback, and traveling to Tennessee, starting UDFA Steve McLeodon over Casey Hampton and authoring arguably the greatest defensive performance in franchise history.

  • By the time 2010 ended, the Steelers were in their 3 Super Bowl in 6 years.

Super Bowl XLV ended with a loss , but that didn’t change the fact that as new decade began, it was no longer a question of 4 Super Bowls for Chuck Noll and 1 for Bill Cowher, it was 6 Super Bowls for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as Kevin Colbert observed.

2011 – 2017: The Under Appreciated Rebuild

Mike Tomlin isn’t the only coach to take over a Super Bowl team and win another Lombardi. But continuing to win for more a couple-of-three seasons is much more challenging.

  • Just ask Barry Switzer or Mike Martz.

Yet, despite the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement leaving the Steelers in Salary Cap purgatory, Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert managed .500 seasons in 2012 and again in 2013 – after a 2-4 start no less. The 2012 season stands out for one simple reason – it contains the only Mike Tomlin-coached game where the Steelers were eliminated from playoff contention.

  • By 2014 the Steelers returned to the playoffs, as they did in 2015 and 2016.

As observed elsewhere on this site, the Steelers Killer Bees were too true to their name. Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown only played 3 of a possible 7 playoff games together.

Steelers Killer Bees, Steelers Killer Bs, Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell

The Steelers Killer Bees were too true to their name. Photo Credit: pegitboard.com

(Rhetorical question “How might Chuck Noll have fared had Bradshaw, Franco, Swann and Stallworth been similarly unavailable for his playoff runs?”)

Injuries aside, by the time the Steelers reached the 2016 AFC Championship game, the only three players who remained from the 2008 Super Bowl squad were James Harrison, Ben Roethlisberger and long snapper Greg Warren.

Yes, Tom Brady seared the Steelers that night in New England, but the fact that Mike Tomlin got his team there with three rookies defensive starters, without Cam Heyward in the lineup and with Robert Golden logging 36% of the defensive snaps speaks volumes about his coaching acumen.

Steelers vs Patriots, Steelers vs Patriots 2016 AFC Championship, Javon Hargrave, Tom Brady

Javon Hargrave sacks Tom Brady early in the ’16 AFC Championship. Photo Credit: Charles Krupa, AP via Mercury News.

As badly as another AFC Championship loss to the Patriots stung, the Steelers seemed to be back.

Alas, tragedy would close the Super Bowl window that Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert had re-opened 12 games later, when Ryan Shazier fell to the turf paralyzed from the waist down at Paul Brown Stadium.

From there on out, Mike Tomlin would be forced to do more with less.

Interlude: Tomlin’s Warts — Assistant Coaches and Talent Evaluation

And there’s a reason why Tomlin had to do more with less. As Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher did before him, Mike Tomlin had his flaws.

The infamous post-penalty 2-point conversion foreshadowed one of them. Sean Mahan was called for holding, and he’d been hand-picked by Mike Tomlin from Tampa Bay. Mahan traded away at a fire-sale price next September.

  • That raised the question on why Tomlin chose to bring Mahan to Pittsburgh in the first place.

Yes, Mike Tomlin managed to pluck Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt at the bottom of the first round. He and his scouts found gems like Antonio Brown and Kelvin Beachum in the 6th and 7th rounds.

But as the Steelers struggled to Re-Load for Ben Roethlisberger, they swung and missed badly as any sober evaluation of their 2018, 2019, and 2020 draft classes reveals. 2021 wasn’t much better, but Salary Cap Armageddon, combined with injuries and surprise retirements, forced them  to reach to fill needs.

D.K. Metcalf, Terrell Edmunds, Steelers vs Seahawks

D.K. Metcalf burns Terrell Edmunds for a touchdown. Photo Credit: Yahoo.com

This isn’t the sole responsibility of Mike Tomlin, but his voice was at the ver least, the first among equals in the draft war room.

  • In contrast, Mike Tomlin did have a free hand in picking assistant coaches.

Let’s be objective and acknowledge Mike Munchak, Danny Smith, Karl Dunbar, Richard Mann, Al Everest and, arguably, Todd Haley as good hires.

But those were balanced out by the Bob Ligasheskys, Amos Joness, Carnell Lakes and Joey Porter Sr’s (anyone notice how Bud Dupree blossomed when Keith Butler returned to the linebackers room?) Tomlin changed offensive line coaches not named Munchak the way everyone else changes underwear.

His signature attempt to cultivate an innovative coaching talent was Matt Canada. Canada holds the infamous distinction of being the only Steelers coordinator to be fired mid-season in the modern era.

Selecting assistant coaches wasn’t Tomin’s strength, and this weakness weighed him down.

2018 – 2025 – Doing More with Less

The post-Shazier/playoff drought phase of Tomlin tenure will remain a lightning rod for generations. So be it.

  • Here the focus is on what Mike Tomlin achieved as instead of what he failed to achieve.

Three examples highlight Tomlin’s skill as both a leader and as a football tactician: Quarterbacks, the 2021 season and the 2025 season.

Quarterbacks

The Steelers franchise deserves all the criticism it gets for bungling the post-Roethlisberger transition. I can’t prove it, but I suspect Mike Tomlin wanted to draft Lamar Jackson but got beaten to the punch.

Be that as it may, following Roethlisberger’s injury in 2019, Mason Rudolph, Devlin Hodges, Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers all started for the Steelers.

Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, Steelers 2022 quarterback competition

Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph. Photo Credit: Brandon Sloter / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images and The Athletic.)

Do Coach-quarterback records say more about the coach or the QB? Who knows? Either way they yield valuable insights such as:

  • Don Shula reached a Super Bowl with David Woodley – Score one for Shula.
  • Bill Belichick’s record without Tom Brady is piss poor – draw your own conclusions.
  • Joe Gibbs won three Super Bowls with three different QBs – Yeah Joe is underrated.
  • Noll & Malone beat Walsh & Montana. Twice – Score one for The Emperor.

Rudolph, Hodges, Tribusiky, Pickett, Fields along with an aging Wilson and an even older Rodgers offer a wide spectrum in terms of talent and pedigree.

  • The only one with a losing record in Pittsburgh was Trubisky.

The rest have losing records in their post-Steelers lives, and Hodges, who was .500 as a Steelers starter, couldn’t even secure a spot on another team’s practice squad.

Enough said.

The 2021 Season

We remember Ben Roethlisberger going out with a bang in 2021 after seven 4th quarter comebacks. He gets  he lion’s share of the credit for the 9-7-1 finish.

But what we forget ’21 Steelers had an offensive line held together with spit, duct tape and bubble gum and a defensive line that had Cameron Heyward playing alongside career backups and practice squanders.

Few credit Mike Tomlin for keeping that team together. But they should.

The 2025 Season

Mike Tomlin’s Yin and Yang was on full display 2025.

During the off season, Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan took several calculated personnel risks.

One was that the trio of Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr. backed by safety Juan Tornhill could deliver the shutdown secondary necessary to combat Joe Burrow’s video game-like passing attack. On offense, they gambled that Roman Wilson would grow into a legit WR No 2.

  • Burrow didn’t get a chance to test them, but Joe Flacco did and exposed them.
  • Roman Wilson flashed (well, flickered) early on but finished the year inactive.

By season’s end, Mike Tomlin had brought in 3 new defensive backs and moved the pieces around so that only secondary starter was playing in his opening day position. He did something similar at wide receiver adding not one but two cast offs.

Jalen Ramsey, Tua Tagovailoa, Steelers vs Dolphins, Steelers vs Dolphins MNF

Jalen Ramsey sacks Tua Tagovailoa. Photo Credit: Alysia Rubin, Steelers.com

The changes resulted in a team that lost 5 of 7 games to close November at 6-6, to one went 4-1 down the stretch and won the AFC Championship.

Sweet Steelers Symmetry

Early in his tenure, a reader asked Ed Bouchette in a Post-Gazette chat to compare Tomlin to his predecessors. Bouchette opined that Tomlin struck him as a cross between Noll and Cowher.

So there’s something poetic about Mike Tomlin finishing with 193 regular season wins, just as Chuck Noll did. And its fitting that Tomin’s Super Bowl record of 1-1 match’s Bill Cowher’s.

Bill Cowher, Mike Tomlin, Chuck Noll, Steelers Six Lombardi Trophies, Mike Tomlin Bill Cowher photo

Bill Cowher interviews Mike Tomlin. Photo Credit: Steelers.com

Noll and Cowher boast better post-season percentages, yet Tomlin’s regular season squads never swooned to the depths his predecessors touched.

Thank you Mike Tomlin for 1 Super Bowl, 2 AFC Championships, 8 AFC North Titles, 14 playoff experiences and 193 wins.

Thank you for giving us 19 years of a “winning era.”

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Steelers 2025 Thanksgiving Honors: Pat Freiermuth

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Say it now Steelers Nation and say it in unison, “Muuth!!”

Yes, you hear the battle cry on the road almost as often and  almost as automatic on the road as you do at Acruisure. When you hear it, you know that things are going well. And things are going well because the new number 88 for the Pittsburgh Steelers has just authored the play.

And that’s why we’re happy to give 2025 Steelers Thanksgiving Honors to Pat Freiermuth

Pat Freiermuth, Jordan Battle, Steelers vs Bengals, Steelers vs Bengals TNF

Pat Freiermuth stiff arms Jordan Battle en route to the end zone. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

The Steelers Twists and Turns @ Tight End

Tight end is one of those tricky positions for the Steelers.

Under Chuck Noll it went from a position of strength featuring players like Larry Brown, Randy Grossman and Bennie Cunningham, to almost total obscurity (you don’t see many Preston Gothard throwback jerseys, do you?) without rhyme or reason.

Larry Brown, Super Bowl IX

Larry Brown catches a touchdown in Super Bowl XI. Photo Credit, Twitter, Vintage Steelers

But there’s no mystery behind the fact that the Steelers second Super Bowl era was quietly anchored by tight end Heath Miller, hands down the franchise’s best at the position.

Following Miller’s retirement, the franchise rode the tight end carousel trying out home grown options like Jesse James, free agents like Ladarius Green and Eric Ebron and trades for guys like Vance McDonald.

Some of those worked better than others, but Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert took the team off the carousel when they took Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Steelers 2025 Thanksgiving Honors: Pat Freiermuth

Pat Freiermuth arrived in Pittsburgh and not only became an immediate starter, but Ben Roethlisberger’s go-to guy in a season the Steelers signal caller exited the NFL by authoring 7 more 4th quarter comebacks.

IT is easy to see why.

As a rookie, Pat Freiermuth caught 60 passes 7 touchdowns and boasted a 75% catch rate, which for comparison purposes, is 3 points better than Heath Miller’s career average. During that first year it was fair to wonder whether Freiermuth would mirror Miller’s stature at the position.

To be honest, his development hasn’t quite followed that path.

  • But, to be fair to Freiermuth, that’s an extremely high bar to clear.

So what has Pat Freiermuth done since his sensational rookie year? He’s caught 123 passes and counting, 15 touchdowns while compiling a 73.7% catch rate. Those numbers are impressive, but what’s more impressive is the way he does it.

Pat Freiermuth, Steelers vs. Browns,

Focused Pat Freiermuth scores the go ahead touchdown. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

When times get tough, the wise move for the quarterback is to look to Pat Freiermuth.

As a rookie, Ben Roethlisberger looked to Freiermuth in the 4th quarter on the road against the Browns to put the Steelers ahead for good, giving Big Ben one final win in Cleveland. Last year, Russell Wilson targeted Freiermuth against Washington to give the Steelers a lead in a 1 point game. Aaron Rodgers did the same thing against Indianapolis just a few weeks ago.

Six of Pat Freiermuth’s 15 touchdowns have been lead changers there’s a reason why clutch players are clutch players. And even when he doesn’t give Pittsburgh a lead during a win, Pat Freiermuth makes it look pretty:


And that clips offers an additional reason of why Pat Freiermuth is winning Steelers Thanksgiving Honors in 2025. With that catch from last week’s loss in Chicago, Freiermuth has now caught touchdowns from Ben Roethlisberger, Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph.

  • That’s 7 separate quarterbacks, if you haven’t been counting.

Catching touchdowns from 7 different quarterbacks over 5 seasons is an interesting and somewhat impressive stat. But underlines something far more important about Pat Freiermuth: As the Steelers offense has struggled for the last 5 years, Freiermuth has been a source of stability and has easily been the unit’s most consistent player.

And that fact, more than any statistics we can cite, is the reason why Pat Freiermuth wins Steelers 2025 Thanksgiving Honors

A Word about Steelers Thanksgiving Honors

In 2009, as the Steelers were ramping up for what would be the infamous 5 game losing streak the punctuated their Super Bowl hangover, I was looking for a sign of hope, something to be thankful for.

Rashard Mendenhall jumped out to me.

Not only had he authored several impressive games after taking over the starting role for Willie Parker, but in the loss to Kansas City after Andy Studebaker had intercepted a Ben Roethlisberger pass Mendenhall not only picked himself up off the turf, he crossed width of the field, and ran down at the 8 yard line to save a touchdown.

  • Thus, the tradition of Steelers Thanksgiving Honors was born.

Every Thanksgiving since then, Steel Curtain Rising has taken out time to shine the spotlight on someone who makes us thankful that they’re with the Steelers:

2009 – Rashard Mendenhall
2010 – Marukice Pouncey, Emmanuel Sanders, Al Everest
2011 – Antonio Brown
2012 – Keenan Lewis
2013 – Cam Heyward
2014 – Le’Veon Bell
2015 – “The Understudies” – Alejandro Villanueva, DeAngelo Williams, Will Allen, Cody Wallace
2016 – Ryan Shazier
2017 – Ben Roethlisberger
2018 – JuJu Smith-Schuster
2019 – Kevin Colbert
2020 – T.J. Watt
2021 – Cam Heyward (second time)
2022 – Larry Ogunjobi
2023 – Chris Boswell
2024 — Russell Wilson

As you can see, many Steelers Thanksgiving Honorees are franchise pillars. Time has certainly shown others to be short timers.

But that’s the point: They all underlie the wisdom of giving thanks for something in the moment that you have it.

Happy Thanksgiving Steelers Nation

Thanksgiving is my favorite US holiday, as it is something embraced by everyone. And today marks my 24th Thanksgiving celebrated outside of the United States.

Hopefully, everyone reading this, be you here in Argentina, up in Mexico or somewhere in the good ole USA has reasons drawn from family and friends – and not football — to give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving Steelers Nation.

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Grading the Steelers 2018 Draft Class – Setting the Stage for Stagnation

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In homage to Chuck Noll’s principle that, “It takes 5 years to judge a draft class,” Steel Curtain Rising grades draft classes 5 years after they’re in the books. Alas, “work to do and bills to pay” prevented me from grading the 2019 and 2018 drafts on schedule.

Last week we graded the Steelers 2019 Draft Class (hint: this report card landed Kevin Colbert on restriction) and today we do the Steelers 2018 draft class.

But before we dive into the details, here’s fun fact on the Steelers 2018 Draft Class: 2 members played critical roles in upsets of Tom Brady.

Hum, that makes it seem like this is some sort of sleeper draft class. But is it….?

D.K. Metcalf, Terrell Edmunds, Steelers vs Seahawks

D.K. Metcalf burns Terrell Edmunds for a touchdown. Photo Credit: Yahoo.com

First Round – Terrell Edmunds, The Optical Illusion

Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin shocked everyone by drafting Terrell Edmunds in the first round. Steel City Insider’s Jim Wexell had projected Terrell Edmunds as a 5th rounder.

Yet, if you’d left for Mars after the draft, returned in 2023 and saw that Edmunds had started 75 of 84 games and logged 93.8% of the Steelers defensive snaps, you’d be impressed. And if I told you, “…And his best game came when Edmunds led a short-handed Steelers secondary in an upset of Tom Brady and Tampa Bay,” you’d have thought, “Wow! Colbert got a steal with Edmunds!”

  • But you’d only be proving the power of optical illusions.

Terrell Edmunds provided stability for the Steelers at strong safety, but he only played his fifth year in Pittsburgh because in the spring of ’22 no one wanted him in free agency. Steelers coaches liked him, the front office, not so much. So Edmunds went to Philadelphia in ‘23, got traded to Tennessee, signed with Jacksonville in ‘24, got cut in August and returned to Pittsburgh in September.

Terrell Edmunds’ Steelers encore lasted just 5 games.

It is almost like, after pausing and then looking at him again from a different angle, the coaches realized they were seeing an optical illusion. Grade: Disappointment

steelers, draft, grades, evaluations, bust, Kevin Colbert

True NFL Draft grades only come with years of hindsight

Second Round – James Washington, The Farm Boy Flasher

On the heels of unloading Martavis Bryant, turning Sammie Coates loose AND tiring of Antonio Brown’s antics, the Steeler opted to inject talent with character in their wide receiver room by drafting James Washington. By all accounts, James Washington, who was born and raised on a farm, was a stand up guy, a positive presence in the locker room guy with strong character.

Unfortunately, all of those attributes never translated into Washington becoming a quality wide receiver. Washington may never have flashed greatness, but there were times he flashed “goodness” (think the pass he took to the house from Devlin Hodges in the 2019 comeback win over the Bengals.)

But he never sustained those flashes of “goodness.” One reason was that he never established a rapport with Ben Roethlisberger. Ironically, it was Washington who caught Roethlisberger’s last touchdown pass. Grade:  Disappointment

James Washington, Charvarius Ward, Steelers vs Chiefs, Ben Roethlisberger's Last Game

James Washington makes a combat catch against Charvarius Ward. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Third Round – Mason Rudolph, The Survivor

The Steelers drafted Mason Rudolph as a “compromise pick.” He spent his first year taking virtual reality snaps as a 3rd stringer. Six quarters into his second year, Mason Rudolph became the starter.

Rudolph lost his first start, won his second, got brutally concussed in his third, came back and won 3 straight games, suffered a deadly assault attempt by Myles Garrett, got benched, watched the Duck Hodges phenomenon, replaced Hodges against the Jets, started leading a rally and then got hurt.

Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, Steelers 2022 quarterback competition

Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph. Photo Credit: Brandon Sloter / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images and The Athletic.)

He then watched as the Steelers brought in Dwayne Haskins, Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett while remaining buried depth chart as QB No. 3, before saving Christmas and Pittsburgh’s 2023 season with 3 straight wins.

Mason Rudolph is a survivor. Grade: Quality Value Pickup

Third Round – Chukwuma Okorafor, The Deceiver

Chuks Okorafor was the last offensive lineman drafted of the Mike Munchak era. He started a game as a rookie against Von Miller and another in his second year against Aaron Donald, looking good in both. He became a full-time starter in 2020 and 2021 and did well enough to earn a 2nd contract.

However, he was benched for Broderick Jones midway through 2023 and the move started the team’s offensive turnaround. Not a bad player or pick, but you expect more from a third rounder. Grade: Serviceable Pickup

Fifth Round – Marcus Allen, The Other Marcus Allen

The Steelers drafted Marcus Allen as a safety, and he only appeared in 3 games during his first two years. They moved him to inside linebacker in 2020, where he struggled due to his size, but was forced into starting duty due to injuries. Marcus Allen played two more years in Pittsburgh, mainly on special teams, and then was out of the league. Grade: Disappointment

Fifth Round – Jaylen Samuels, The One Game Wonder

Perhaps it’s a little unfair to label 2018’s 5th round pick Jaylen Samuels a One Game Wonder, but  19 carry 142 yard explosion during his rookie year in the Steelers December 2018 upset of the Patriots was incredible. Unfortunately, that game and his 53-yard effort a week later in New Orleans amount to 41% of his career rushing total.

In 2019 and 2020, Jaylen Samuels’ role evolved into more of an H Back. He had his moments and spring of 2021 the late, great Craig Wolfley suggested that Samuels might be the answer the Steelers were seeking at running back. But he wasn’t. The Steelers cut him in 2021. He played a few games for the Texans in late 2021 and was done. Grade: Quality Valuable Pickup

Seventh Round – Josuha Fraizer, First Karl Dunbar Pick

Joshua Frazier had been coached at Alabama by Steelers coach Karl Dunbar but got cut in training camp and never spent time on an NFL roster or practice squad.

Overall Grade for the 2018 Draft Class

The Steelers 2018 Draft Class is an interesting one. At the time, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin were seen as sticking to their board as opposed to reaching for need. That’s generally a smart strategy, but for it to work must get your board right.

And the Steelers didn’t get their board right in 2018 – three of their first four picks were Disappointments. All of them had to be replaced, and the Steelers clearly see Rudolph as a backup.

  • Not to mention that they passed on Lamar Jackson to take Terrell Edmunds.

And in that light, the Steelers 2018 Draft Class set the stage for what’s come since, a team that’s keeping its head above water but failing to make progress towards a championship. Grade: C

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Steelers 2025 Draft Needs @ Tight End – Low

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have drafted tight ends in 3 of their last four drafts, using premium picks to take 2 of three of those players.

So should Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin dip into that well in the 2025 NFL Draft? Time to take a look.

Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Alfredo Roberts, Steelers tight ends

The Steelers Tight Ends. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Steelers Depth Cart at Tight End: The Starter

In his penultimate draft, Kevin Colbert took Pat Freiermuth in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL Draft and since then Freiermuth has easily been the most consistent player on the Pittsburgh Steelers offense.

Whether he’s been catching passes from Ben Roethlisberger, Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, Pat Freiermuth has easily been the quarterbacks’ most reliable target. Freiermuth has improved his game each year, despite the fact that the Steelers offense has conspicuously avoided the middle of the field.

Fans may have given Freiermuth some heat for failing to convert a few first downs during the ugly 5-game losing streak the Steelers suffered, but that frustration is misplaced. Had the rest of the Steelers offense played at the level Freiermuth was playing at, the Steelers wouldn’t have lost 5 straight.

Steelers Tight End Depth Chart: The Backups

Has there ever been a third round pick that’s captivated the collective imagination of Steelers Nation the way Darnell Washington did when Pittsburgh picked him in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft?

Visions of a 6’7”, 264-pound tight end towering over linebackers in the end zone have a way of doing that.

Alas, two seasons into his NFL career, Darnell Washington hasn’t flashed that he’s the next Ron Gronkowski, but it was unfair to expect him to be. What Washington has done is improve from his rookie to his sophomore year, by almost trebling his receptions, increasing his yards catching by more than 3 times, and more than doubling his catches for first downs.

Darnell Washington, Steelers vs Broncos, Darnell Washington first touchdown

Darnell Washington catches the first touchdown of his career. Photo Credit: Steelers.com

If nothing else, Connor Heyward will always be the last offensive player drafted by Kevin Colbert to play a down for the Steelers. In his first two season, Connor Heyward seemed to be carving a niche out for himself in the Steelers offense as a sort of utility receiver as he worked in as an H-Back.

2024 saw his playing time and production decline, as MyCole Pruitt got snaps at Heyward’s expense. The Steelers also have Donald Parham Jr. whom they signed to a futures contract and who brings 47 games, 23 starts and 67 catches of experience to the Steelers.

The Steelers 2025 Draft Needs @ Tight End

Overall, the Steelers are in a very good place at tight end going into the 2025 NFL Draft. It is not a position Pittsburgh must prioritize.Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Needs Scale

There is one X-Factor at work, however.

Mike Tomlin pointedly declined to endorse his returning starting offensive line, and reporters such as Jim Wexell have suggested that tackle is actually Darnell Washington’s natural position, intimating that he could make the transition from tight end much the way Larry Brown did two generations ago.

Currently the Steelers don’t have the depth at tight end to entertain such a move, but if they draft a tight end early, that could change.

But until that happens, this is just speculation and therefore the Steelers need at tight end going into the 2025 NFL Draft should be considered as Low.

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Steelers Sign Mason Rudolph. Now Let’s Stop the Aaron Rodgers Nonsense

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The NFL free agent market has been humming and, while the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t been passive, they have been less active than expected. Today the made their first move at quarterback, and it is a surprise.

The Steelers opted to reconnect with a familiar face, but not the one everyone expected to see, as they signed Mason Rudolph to a 2-year contract worth a reported 8 million dollars.

Mason Rudolph, Steelers vs. Seahawks, Najee Harris

Mason Rudoph and Najee Harris during the Steelers 2023 win over the Seahawks. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.come

It says here that Mason Rudolph’s return to Pittsburgh should end the franchise’s flirtation with Aaron Rodgers. Period.

  • Full Stop. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars. Just end the nonsense now.

Aaron Rodgers has been released by the Jets and his name has been linked to the Steelers since he began making noises about getting out of Green Bay. The Steelers have, per reports made him an offer. The fact that he still has yet to take it should tell Art Rooney II, Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin all they need to know — they should rescind the offer and end this nonsense now.

If the Steelers don’t see Mason Rudolph as their starter for 2025, and his contract says they don’t, they should resign Russell Wilson.

  • No, Russell Wilson doesn’t have a lot left in the tank — Aaron Rodgers has less.
  • Yes, age has robbed Russell Wilson of his abilities —  age has ransacked Aaron Rodgers.
  • Yes, Russ had issues with his coaches — Aaron Rodgers is an unrepentant coach killer.
  • No, Russ isn’t likely to get the Steelers to a Super Bowl next year — neither is Aaron Rodgers.
  • Yes, Russ may create some locker room friction — Aaron Rodgers does that unhesitatingly.

The Steelers have taken a conservative approach, to say the least, at quarterback this off season. They’ve declined to engage in a bidding war for Justin Fields or Sam Darnold. They’re unwilling (and wisely so) to give up draft capital to bring in a Geno Smith or Derrick Carr.

  • And they’re not allowing inertia to pull them back to Russell Wilson by default.

Fair enough.

The Steelers have done their due-dilgence. They’ve refused to throw money at mediocre quarterbacks. It is time to either resign-Wilson, assuming he’s willing, or simply go with Mason Rudolph.

Mason Rudolph & the Steelers: What a Long Strange Trip Its Been

The Steelers of course drafted Mason Rudolph in the 3rd round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Rudolph stood in street clothes throughout 2018, only to be thrust into the starting role 6 quarters into 2019 as Ben Roethlisberger injured his elbow in the home-0pening loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

  • And thus began Rudolph’s rollercoaster ride with the Steelers.

Over the next 4 years, Rudolph would appear in 21 games for the Steelers, starting 13 of those and going 8-4-1. Once seen as Ben Roethlisberger’s potential heir-apparent, he spent the summer of 2022 behind Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett as QB No. 3 despite arguably out playing both men.

Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, Steelers 2022 Training Camp, Steelers St. Vincents 2022

Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett in 2022 at St. Vincents. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Mason Rudolph spent the 2023 off season as an afterthought, until signing a veteran minimum deal with the Steelers. There he remained an afterthought, until an ugly 3 game losing streak that included a major injury to Kenny Pickett led Mike Tomlin to start him.

Rudolph responded by quarterbacking the Steelers to 3 straight wins, and had the team with in a touchdown of tying the Buffalo Bills with 8 minutes left in the 4th quarter of the AFC Divisional playoffs.

The Steelers opened the 2024 off season with Mike Tomlin declaring the team wanted to resign him. Steel City Insider’s Jim Wexell did report that the Steelers made him an offer, but with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields’ arrivals, Rudolph opted to sign with Tennessee Titans.

With the Titans Rudolph appeared in 8 games, starting 5 of those and going 1-4 in those contests.

  • He did, however come off the bench to lead two comeback wins.
  • Overall, he posted respectable passing numbers.

Do those numbers suggest that Rudolph is capable a Baker Mayfield like revival? No, they do not. But if the Steelers offensive line investments pay the dividends they expect it to pay, and if Jaylen Warren and a yet to be drafted running back can establish the run, the Steelers could win a lot of games with Mason Rudolph running Arthur Smith’s under center offense.

Barring that, he strikes me as the perfect “bridge quarterback” to the lead the team on the eve of what is said to be a quarterback-rich 2026 NFL Draft class.

Its been a long strange trip indeed, but welcome back to Pittsburgh Mason.

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Should the Steelers Resign Russell Wilson? Here Are Pros & Cons

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The idea of an aging Super Bowl quarterback reclaiming championship old glory with a new team feels it is “too good to be true.” But that’s often not the case. Joe Montana may have come up short, but Peyton Manning and Tom Brady added extra Lombardi Trophies to cases in Denver and Tampa Bay.

And, while Layne didn’t deliver an NFL championship, he did give Pittsburgh its first true taste of winning football at the pro level during his 5 years as the Steelers starting quarterback.

Thus, when Russell Wilson became available last spring, Mike Tomlin wasted little time in snapping him up.

Wilson is a former Super Bowl Champion quarterback who did a lot to reacquaint Steelers fans with above-the-line passing. He wants to play for three or four more years, and he’d like to do it in Pittsburgh.

Would the Steelers be wise to accommodate him? Let’s take a look.

Russell Wilson, Steelers vs Commanders.

Russell Wilson launches a pass in the 4th quarter. Photo Credit: AP, Chaz Palla, via Tribune-Review

Capsule Profile of Russell Wilson’s Career with the Steelers

Mike Tomlin, Art Rooney II and Omar Khan all began the Steelers 2024 off season by expressing confidence in of Kenny Pickett. Even when Khan proclaimed that he was obligated to do consider any possibility that would help the Steelers win at the NFL combine, it sounded like politically correct GM speak.

  • Both perceptions and realities can and do change fast in the NFL.

The Denver Broncos cut Russell Wilson on March 7th. The Steelers signed him on March 12th. They traded Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia on March 15th. (A day later, the Steelers traded for Justin Fields).

Throughout OTAs, Minicamp and the beginning of training camp, Mike Tomlin talked a good game about holding an open quarterback competition. IT sounded good, but everyone knew that Russell Wilson was Tomlin’s man. Injuries kept Wilson out of circulation for much of the summer, but he finished the summer as the starter. Until he got hurt again before the season, forcing him to watch the first 6 games.

Despite Justin Fields’ 4-2 record as a starter, Mike Tomlin promoted Wilson in week 7, and his inaugural victory against the Jets showed why. The Steelers for the first time since Ben Roethlisberger’s elbow injury, suddenly had a potent passing attack.

Russell Wilson, Russell Wilson first start Steelers, Steelers vs Jets

Russell Wilson rolls out in his first start with the Steelers. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Despite a dearth of offensive weapons, not to mention a running game that simply could not get into a groove, Wilson led the Steelers to 6 wins in his first 7 starts.

Yet, as citizens of Steelers Nation shifted their attention from finishing Thanksgiving leftovers to Christmas shopping, the Steelers closed the 2024 season 5 straight losses, including a ridiculing in the playoffs at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.

The Case for the Steelers Resigning Russell Wilson

Was there anyone who wasn’t excited to see a true NFL quarterback back under center in Pittsburgh? Russell Wilson is not the player he was 10 years ago, but in 2024 he gave the Steelers far better quarterback play than they even glimpsed under Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph or even Justin Fields.

  • Beyond his on-the-field exploits, Russell Wilson acted as true leader.

Wilson was a leader on the field, on the sidelines, in the locker room and throughout the community of Pittsburgh. On what is one of the NFL’s youngest offenses, Wilson provided an adult, mature presence that everyone feels but that no one could measure.

  • Sure, Wilson started each of those 5 season-ending losses.

And yes, critics can point several statistics that show how Wilson’s play dipped during that stretch. But facts and figures are meaningless without context. Wilson was missing his only true starting caliber NFL wide out in George Pickens during the losing streak. The offensive line was also faltering.

Moreover, most of his mistakes came from trying to lift the team on his back, when it was obvious that he didn’t have the supporting cast needed to allow that effort to be successful. Wilson wants to stay in Pittsburgh and the fit feels natural.

The Case Against the Steelers Resigning Russell Wilson

Sure, Russell Wilson had the Steelers at 10-3 and atop the AFC North. But, for the second time, both perceptions and realities can and do change fast in the NFL.

Yeah, it’s easy and even tempting to conclude, “…But with Pickens out who other than Pat Freiermuth did Wilson have to throw to?” Missing Pickens certainly hurt Wilson, but that’s no reason to let him off the hook as D.I. Davis aka HeinzSight explained on Steel City Insider’s message board:

They [the Eagles] would flood the short zones with six underneath defenders. Baltimore borrowed that. Eagles when in split safeties, they knew Wilson had a quick clock and if he looked to one side post snap, they didn’t have to defend the other half. If Wilson’s eyes went to one side, the opposite side safety would abandon his half and go look for work playside like a robber. Chiefs borrowed that, and got that pick in the EZ as a result. Eagles really made it a mission to disguise their coverages presnap.

Most offenses can wait out a defense by going hurry up. Defenses don’t want to get caught exposed in transition from one look to the other, so they always blink first in that game of chicken. Not vs Wilson. Defenses didn’t care if it left coverage gaps or receivers open, because Wilson would not throw intermediate. By not throwing intermediate, it allowed defends to hold their disguises to the snap. They had plenty of time to robot from standing in the A gap at the snap all the way to deep half.

That’s a pretty X’s and O’s heavy analysis. But its more pedestrian translation drives home the point: Philadelphia, Baltimore and Kansas City all have championship-caliber defenses.

And they completely befuddled Wilson.

Curtain’s Call on the Steelers and Russell Wilson

It says here that even if D.I. Davis’ critiques of Wilson are correct, Russell Wilson still has plenty left in the tank and that the Pittsburgh Steelers can win a lot of games with him.

The Steelers decision on Russell Wilson comes down to as much as how they see themselves as it does to how they see him. When the Steelers reached the 10-3 mark, they didn’t look too be far from establishing themselves as contenders.

Russell Wilson, Steelers vs Chiefs, Chiefs sack Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson is sacked. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

But when tested by the NFL’s best, (and Cincinnati probably had the NFL’s best offense by season’s end) the Steelers came up choto (there’s that Argentine slang again, choto means coming up short, both practically and anatomically).

If the Steelers brain trust really does think that the rest of the roster is “not that far off” from contending, then they should resign Russell Wilson, beef up the weapons at his disposal, fortify the defense and make a run.

If the Steelers don’t see themselves as being “a player or two away” from making a run, then should thank Russell Wilson for his effort and move on.

  • Reading the Tea Leaves out of the South Side, the Steelers are leaning towards Fields over Wilson.

For my money, that’s probably the wise football decision. But, for the third and  final time, both perceptions and realities can and do change fast in the NFL.

 

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Steelers 2024 Season Review: Hard Knocks Meets Game of Thrones

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The Pittsburgh Steelers ended the 2024 regular season at 10-7 and the were One and Done in the playoffs after the Baltimore Ravens ridiculed them.

In hindsight, it’s fitting that HBO featured the Steelers on Hard Knocks in 2024. That’s because their season followed the arc of another famed HBO blockbuster, Game of Thrones:

  • The Steelers excited by exceeding expectations early on, only to stumble before imploding in a deeply disappointing finish.

Like Game of Thrones, the Steelers were undone by continuity errors and fatal plot holes. Unlike Game of Thrones, while these flaws did define their season, but do not necessarily define their destiny.

Let’s take a deep dive.

Derrick Henry, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers vs Ravens, Steelers 2024 season

Derrick Henry stiff arms Minkah Fitzpatrick. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Backstory: Steelers Reach Beyond Their Comfort Zone

Chuck Noll once explained, “When you lose, everything they say about you is true.” And there’s a lot of truth circulating about the Steelers brain trust now. While it may not be popular with critics, here’s one basic truth: The Steelers did not start 2024 by doing the same things and expecting different results.

They hired Arthur Smith, who became the team’s first outside coordinator hire since Todd Haley in 2012.

They turned their quarterback room over end-to-end. In the blink of an eye, Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph vanished.

Third, they traded Diontae Johnson, their best route runner and most-tenured receiver.

Omar Khan remained aggressive in free agency, poaching Patrick Queen from the Ravens, while signing DeShon Elliott to bolster their secondary. In the 2024 NFL Draft Omar Khan and Andy Wedil leaned into their “build through the trenches” philosophy.

  • Were those changes effective?

They certainly didn’t deliver dividends in December and January. But for whatever else went wrong in 2024, no one should accuse Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin of hiding in their comfort zone.

Opening Gambit: From Field of Dreams to Russ Cooks

Mike Tomlin brought Russell Wilson to Pittsburgh to start. Injuries threw a monkey wrench into his plans, and Justin Fields started the first six games of the season.

During that stretch, we both saw why the Chicago Bears made Justin Fields the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and why they moved on after 3 years. Fields made some spectacular throws. He added an unpredictable dynamic to the offense with his legs. He also had trouble handling snaps and missed routine passes.

  • Still, that was good enough for the Steelers to go 4-2.

Mike Tomlin nonetheless made a change and the Russell Wilson era started with the win over the Jets. He followed with a win over the Giants.

Calvin Austin, Steelers vs Giants,

Calvin Austin hauls in a touchdown. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Then he led the Steelers to wins over the Washington Commanders on the road and the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium.

But Pittsburgh bounced back with a road win over the Bengals and  a home win over the Browns that saw Pittsburgh put up 27 points — without George Pickens.

It was good times.

Russ was cooking. The long ball returned to the Steelers offense after a painful absence. The defense, when it wasn’t dominating, was making in-game adjustments and securing turnovers at critical points in game after game.

T.J. Watt, Joe Burrow, T.J. Watt strip sack Joe Burrow, Steelers vs Bengals

T.J. Watt strip sacks Joe Burrow. Photo Credit: X.com

By the time Steelers Nation was finishing the last of their Thanksgiving leftovers, the Steelers were 10-3, had just won two straight division games and led the AFC North with a 3-1 division record. Mike Tomlin was the consensus candidate for coach of the year.

  • Not bad for a team that every expert had pegged to finish last in the AFC North.

But “NFL” means Not For Long. One continuity error that had been popping up was about to take its toll. And an unforeshadowed, fatal plot hole was waiting to sink the Steelers season.

Continuity Error: A Run Focused Offense Lacking a Running Attack

Despite going one-and-done in the playoffs to the Bills, the Steelers ended 2023 on a hopeful note. One reason is that the running game had improved during the latter half of 2023. No, the offensive line wasn’t road grading for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, but they were effective and getting better.

And as Mason Rudolph showed, when you combine that running game with competent quarterback play, the Steelers could play winning offensive football.

  • The Steelers quarterbacking improved in 2024.
  • Unfortunately its running game regressed.

You can marshal limitless facts, figures, statistics and sabermetrics to document the inadequacy of the 2024 Steelers rushing attack. Four simple plays illustrate this reality much better

  • On opening day, the Steelers went for it on 4th & 1 at Atlanta’s six and failed.
  • In the 1st quarter against the Browns on TNF, on 4th & 2 at their own 38 Pittsburgh went for it and lost 2 yards
  • In the 3rd quarter against the Browns on their own 46, the Steelers tried again on 4th & 1 and failed
  • In the regular season finale, with 0:49 left in the 1st half, on their own 37 the Bengals snuffed them on 4th and 1

The consequences of these “continuity errors” cascaded as the season progressed.

In Atlanta and Cleveland, the defense bailed them out on the ensuing drives. The Steelers beat the Falcons, but lost to the Browns – perhaps 2 failed 4th down conversions in a game 2 too many. In the finale, the Bengals kicked a field goal with the extra time in what ended as a 2-point game.

Arthur Smith was brought to Pittsburgh to reestablish a physical style of football. While he was in Tennessee, Steelers fans longingly hailed him for “Running a Bill Cowher-style offense.”

Russell Wilson, Najee Harris, Steelers vs Giants

Russell Wilson hands off to Najee Harris. Photo Credit: Steelers.com

At times, the Steelers ground game was OK. But never did it even feign dominance. The fact that the Steelers deployed Justin Fields to close their two biggest AFC North wins reinforces that reality.

“If you can’t get a yard, you don’t deserve to win,” Mike Tomlin is wont to say. We know from Hard Kocks he made a deliberate decision to lean on his running game late in the season. But the running game faltered.

Was it Smith’s system? (Explain the pitch play. Please.) Should he have platooned Harris and Warren differently? Was the offensive line simply ineffective?

All three factors played a role. But given that the pass protection broke down late in the year, the offensive line’s poor play is probably the root cause.

Going back to the Game of Thrones analogy, one of the first signs that the show was headed for the rocks was when the show runners suddenly had characters “teleporting” across vast distances and time periods.

  • It was lazy production.
  • A smidge of script creativity could have resolved everything.
  • These were unforced errors.

We can probably view the Steelers offensive line problems in a similar light. The line is young. It was oft injured. It has “upside.” The answers to the Steelers offensive line issues very well may be on the roster.

Closing the plot hole may not be so easy.

Plot Hole: Defense Comes up Choto When it Counts

The Steelers plan for the post Ben Roethlisberger era was simple: Have the defense carry the team until a new franchise QB could be found.

The franchise’s philosophy has been clear: By investing in players such as T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alex Highsmith and Patrick Queen the Steelers would empower them to go toe-to-toe with elite quarterbacks.

  • 2024 provided a rude awakening to the fact that this philosophy might be fatally flawed.

Strictly speaking this fatal flaw appeared in the December losses to the Eagles and Ravens. But the defense was playing down several starters in both games and, absent a sprinkling of critical errors, Pittsburgh had a puncher’s chance to win both games.

Travis Kelce, Donte Jackson, Steelers vs Chiefs, Steelers Chiefs Christmas 2024

Travis Kelce scorches the Steelers. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

There were no such mitigating circumstances against the Chiefs at Christmas and the Ravens in the playoffs.

Patrick Mahomes devoured the Steelers pass defense, exploiting holes with laser-like precision. The Baltimore Ravens imposed their will on the Steelers. Kirk Herbstreit assailed the Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin’s defense for lack of effort.

I think he was wrong, but it some ways wish he were right because the Steelers defense got its ass kicked by a superior, more physical offense.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but in 2024’s the two-most critical contests against elite offenses, the Steelers defense came up Choto (yes there’s that word again,) both times.

Rooney, Tomlin and Khan and Road from Here

Game of Thrones first several seasons were so successful because show runners Benioff and Weiss did a better job of telling George R.R. Martin’s story on screen than he’d done on paper.

  • They hit the narrative equivalent of an iceberg when they ran out of Martin’s original material.

Art Rooney II, having already decided to retain Mike Tomlin, needs to determine with Tomlin and Omar Khan whether the franchise’s defense-first script has run its course.

And that determination will define how soon the Steelers go all in on finding their next young quarterback.

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