NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
As much as we want to root for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the front office is making it damn hard to do so. This offseason, they made the necessary moves to be contenders; all that was missing was a QB. They had their shot this offseason and then again in the Draft. And yet, they struck out twice. How can we root for them?
After letting Justin Fields and Russell Wilson walk this offseason, the Steelers supposedly threw their hat into the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes, and at the end of the Draft, he’s still undecided. But armed with the 21st pick in the first round, they had their chance to snag a QB and passed. Then they did it again and again and again.
It doesn’t matter if Rodgers decides to give it another go this year with the Steelers; they need someone to take the reins afterwards. What the hell was the front office thinking?
Cam Ward was gone, but Shedeur Sanders was still available. There was not a person who watched both College and the NFL, thinking the Steelers were going to pass up on Sanders. When they did, Steelers’ fans and those who are not were left scratching their heads. Even if Rodgers suits up for them, what’s the plan for next season and beyond?
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded for DJ Metcalf this offseason to pair with George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth. They now have legtit weapons on the offensive side of the ball they lacked last season. They just need someone to get them the ball. Despite the craziness that happened in NY with the Jets, Rodgers can still be that guy. However, snagging one of the young signal-callers this year would have been icing on the cake. They dropped the ball.
The AFC North is a tough division. The Baltimore Ravens are gearing up for another Super Bowl run. The Cincinnati Bengals have reloaded, and the Browns, well, they’re still the Browns.
While they faltered at the end of the season and laid an egg in the playoffs, the Steelers understood where and why they fell short. Or so we thought. They needed another pass-catcher, and they did what they were supposed to do by getting Metcalf.
This is one of those moments where the solution was right in front of them, and they ignored it. I want to defend Mike Tomlinson tooth and nail, but this is one of those times where I’m starting to think both he and the Steelers need a change of scenery. How can you mess this up?
Reports are saying that the Steelers had their eyes on the QB class next year. That could be true, but who’s to say that they will have the same roster they have this year? Anything can happen between now and then. Their offseason gave off the impression they were trying to win now. By drafting Will Howard, we can get a sense of whether the rumors are true.
The QB didn’t have to be Sanders, but if they were going off the play on the field, he was the one who best fit their style. He’s a pocket passer, he’s accurate, doesn’t make too many mistakes, and as we’ve seen during his time in college, he can make receivers better. But they didn’t even attempt to plug a hole that needs plugging. Maybe they have a verbal or handshake agreement with Rodgers, but at 40+ years old, can he still be counted on like he used to be?
The answer to their issues was there, and they ignored them. You want to cheer for the Pittsburgh Steelers but they make it hard to.
