2026 Steelers thread

[jayzee43]

Originally Posted by oldman2525

If Rodgers retires, that ain't on the new coach and then he did not inherit a playoff caliber er team

Again u make an assumption based on last year's roster

Fair enough. But if Rodgers comes back, I expect McCarthy to win a playoff game before I call him an upgrade. If not, more of the same.

To put it in perspective, McCarthy is a year older now than Chuck Noll was when he retired. A very un-Steelers like hire, and I'm not cutting him any slack for being "the new guy". He needs to win immediately or this was a bust.

[bambino]

Originally Posted by jayzee43

Fair enough. But if Rodgers comes back, I expect McCarthy to win a playoff game before I call him an upgrade. If not, more of the same.

To put it in perspective, McCarthy is a year older now than Chuck Noll was when ylhe retired. A very un-Steelers like hire, and I'm not cutting the guy any slack for being "the new guy". He needs to win immediately or this was a bust.

Not really, he needs to identify and develop the next QB first. No more merry go round with old QBs. You might sneak into the playoffs with Rodgers, but that doesn’t solve the QB problem. The prospects for a franchise QB are pretty slim this year.

[jayzee43]

I hope I'm wrong and I'll be the first to admit if I was, but I think it's a dopey, rushed hire based on a feel good story and nostalgia. Not unlike drafting Kenny Pickett because he was "a Pitt guy".

They could've waited and checked out another dozen or so candidates before settling on someone.

[bambino]

Originally Posted by jayzee43

I hope I'm wrong and I'll be the first to admit if I was, but I think it's a dopey, rushed hire based on a feel good story and nostalgia. Not unlike drafting Kenny Pickett because he was "a Pitt guy".

They could've waited and checked out another dozen or so candidates before settling on someone.

I guess the hot shots from the Rams were passed over by everyone looking for a coach. The Giants snapped up Harbaugh quickly. Was that a great move? Falcons same with Stafanski. They didn’t waste time. Saleh was a bust in NY, Tennessee hired him. Is Minter a home run in Baltimore? Who knows. Hafley in Miami? Did he move you? I think Rooney just wasn’t impressed with the people they interviewed. Out of the bunch, McCarthy had the best resume. Especially working with QBs. I think Rooney put more stock in that rather than he’s a Pittsburgh guy. If that was the case, they would’ve hire Grimm over Tomlin.

[oldman2525]

Originally Posted by jayzee43

Fair enough. But if Rodgers comes back, I expect McCarthy to win a playoff game before I call him an upgrade. If not, more of the same.

To put it in perspective, McCarthy is a year older now than Chuck Noll was when he retired. A very un-Steelers like hire, and I'm not cutting him any slack for being "the new guy". He needs to win immediately or this was a bust.

i dont think the age thing really matters that much, dick labeau was 66 when he came back to be dc in 2004 and was considered the best in the biz during his last stint with the black and gold

I think its more of who mike surrounds himself with (coaching staff)

tomlin sucked at hirng good asst coaches. he had great ones handed to him when he started and other than todd haley ( who dan rooney insisted on), tomlin hired sub par coaches


I do agree, anything less than a playoff win or two is more of the same.

[bambino]

Originally Posted by oldman2525

i dont think the age thing really matters that much, dick labeau was 66 when he came back to be dc in 2004 and was considered the best in the biz during his last stint with the black and gold

I think its more of who mike surrounds himself with (coaching staff)

tomlin sucked at hirng good asst coaches. he had great ones handed to him when he started and other than todd haley ( who dan rooney insisted on), tomlin hired sub par coaches


I do agree, anything less than a playoff win or two is more of the same.

I’d rather see them go 6/11. They’re not ready to make a deep playoff run now. Unless something miraculous happens.

[jayzee43]

Originally Posted by oldman2525

i dont think the age thing really matters that much, dick labeau was 66 when he came back to be dc in 2004 and was considered the best in the biz during his last stint with the black and gold

I think its more of who mike surrounds himself with (coaching staff)

tomlin sucked at hirng good asst coaches. he had great ones handed to him when he started and other than todd haley ( who dan rooney insisted on), tomlin hired sub par coaches


I do agree, anything less than a playoff win or two is more of the same.

Funny you mention Todd Haley. I remember, clear as a bell, tons of yinzers wanting him fired. It was the best offense in Steelers history, at least from a statistical standpoint, and "Steeler Nation" was screaming for his job. He got unfairly pushed out, imo. The organization caved to the fans on that one. Like they did when they drafted Pickett. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

I hope I'm wrong about McCarthy. I don't want to see him fail. I just have a feeling he will. Today's NFL is a different beast than when McCarthy had his success. I'd much rather the team had sought out a sharp, young guy with an ability to adapt.

[bambino]

Originally Posted by jayzee43

Funny you mention Todd Haley. I remember, clear as a bell, tons of yinzers wanting him fired. It was the best offense in Steelers history, at least from a statistical standpoint, and "Steeler Nation" was screaming for his job. He got unfairly pushed out, imo. The organization caved to the fans on that one. Like they did when they drafted Pickett. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

I hope I'm wrong about McCarthy. I don't want to see him fail. I just have a feeling he will. Today's NFL is a different beast than when McCarthy had his success. I'd much rather the team had sought out a sharp, young guy with an ability to adapt.

Ben got Haley fired, not the fans. Tomlin promoted Fiechtner, Ben’s buddy. While the Steelers offense was successful under Haley, they didn’t reach the SB with the Bs. Plus, Haley and his wife became PR problems for the Rooneys. Some questionable behavior.

[Charley3]

Originally Posted by oldman2525

i dont think the age thing really matters that much, dick labeau was 66 when he came back to be dc in 2004 and was considered the best in the biz during his last stint with the black and gold

I think its more of who mike surrounds himself with (coaching staff)

tomlin sucked at hirng good asst coaches. he had great ones handed to him when he started and other than todd haley ( who dan rooney insisted on), tomlin hired sub par coaches


I do agree, anything less than a playoff win or two is more of the same.

Dick Lebeau was a very under appreciated part of the last couple Super Bowl visits. Amazing coach but also in a lot better shape than McCarthy. He’s gonna blow up!

[bambino]

The Seahawks went 10-7 last year. Then fired its OC. Dumped Geno Smith. Traded DK Metcalf. And signed Sam Darnold. They didn’t settle for 10-7.

The Steelers go 10-7. And act like it’s a great season that everyone should be happy about.

[bambino]

Interesting video on how the Steelers cut Unitas

https://x.com/steelcitystar/status/2...944727233?s=42

[Charley3]

Not crazy about the McCarthy hire. Safe choice which is Rooney’s MO, but I’m glad to finally see changes. Hopefully his coaching staff jells with the team. I want to move on from Rodgers but again, that’s Rooney’s safe bet. Hope I’m wrong there.

[jayzee43]

Originally Posted by Charley3

Not crazy about the McCarthy hire. Safe choice which is Rooney’s MO, but I’m glad to finally see changes. Hopefully his coaching staff jells with the team. I want to move on from Rodgers but again, that’s Rooney’s safe bet. Hope I’m wrong there.

The safe choice has never been Rooney's MO. That's what makes this particular hire suspect. I hope I'm wrong, but I think it's a bad hire. We don't need an old homer in there. We need young blood willing to adapt to today's NFL.

[bambino]

Originally Posted by jayzee43

The safe choice has never been Rooney's MO. That's what makes this particular hire suspect. I hope I'm wrong, but I think it's a bad hire. We don't need an old homer in there. We need young blood willing to adapt to today's NFL.

Yeah, but you wanted to run it back with Tomlin. Time will tell if some of the “young blood” coaches will succeed. Minter and Kubiak are first time HCs, the rest hired during this cycle have HC experience. Shula and Scheelhaase didn’t get offers. The Steelers offense will certainly be better and the defense can’t get worse.

[Unique_Carpenter]

bambi,
A good thread to comment on.

Getting back to inheriting a play-off caliber team.....
Well, ... nope.
And btw a couple players that have already left:
Najee Harris
Elandon Roberts
Also, everyone is a year older.
Other notes:
Severe lack of depth at Receiver, seriously, Rogers needs targets (I'm thinking he'll stay with McCarthy as they have history), but at least a couple draft choices have to go to wide receivers and another for a rookie QB).
and:
Will RB Gainwell sign up for a few more years?
Will Killebrew's and Elliott's knees recover?
Btw every-time a safety goes down I cringe, as I had to pack in college sports due to my knee.

Regardless, in addition to the coaching turnovers, it's clear that heavy turnover in the locker room will occur.
Thus, and my closing point:
Although it may be possible for the Rooneymen to win 9, the odds for winning 11 are slim. I note that no teams with less than 11 regular season wins made it to the divisional round of playoffs.