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2022 Offseason... FA, Draft, Staff, Camps, Etc

FaCe-LeE-uS

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My offseason wish-list:

1. Revamp the OL.
Hoping to see them be aggressive in FA. OT Armstead, OT Brown, OG Scherff, etc. Moore Jr & Dotson are the only pieces worth anything right now. If Pickett isn't available then I expect they draft Linderbaum. Need to shore up the depth. Chuks & Hass are FAs, and I think would be good backups to keep around.

2. Bridge the QB position.
I'm all for drafting Pickett if he's available, but I doubt he will be. The QB position isn't as strong as previous years so they will be in higher demand. There will be some decent vet FA pieces out there worth a look (Minshew, Trubisky, Winston, Mariota). The only other option is trading for a big fish and that is too rare to believe will happen. Bring in someone that can start, but also push Mason & Haskins. I would love it if they kept Dobbs around, but he seems best suited as a coach. Could be a brilliant hire if they made him QB coach, and groomed him for a shot at OC down the road.

3. Extend Minkah Fitzpatrick.

4. Shore up the secondary.

This secondary is in flux. Haden & Edmunds set to hit the market. Sutton has proved to not be a reliable outside piece, but he's a capable starter. Resigning Witherspoon & Maulet is an easy way to achieve stability. Witherspoon showed up big down the stretch in 2021 and was a blessing. They need to prioritize retaining that guy. Maulet is a versatile piece but I wouldn't overpay anything more than a vet min type deal. Safety market is always slow every year so there's a chance Edmunds doesn't receive very many offers. I'd bring him back for the right price.

5. Fire Matt Canada.
I know plenty of people are wanting to give this guy a 2nd chance given everything he was up against. I get it, and I'm not entirely opposed. But it became extremely obvious just how bad his playcalling was this year. He did very little to acquit himself this year, nor give us any sort of promise when thinking about what he could do next year with different personnel. I want them to hire someone from outside of the organization.

6. Hire a new DC.
Keith Butler's contract is set to expire this offseason. Do they extend him? Probably. Because in reality this is nothing more than a pawn coach that lets Tomlin call most, if not all the shots. But I'm tired of seeing this defense get slaughtered in the biggest games. I'm not satisfied with leading the league in sacks every year. It's cool and buy in large it gets the job done against lesser competition, but I'll never feel confident in them on the biggest stages. The only way they make the necessary changes is if Tomlin decides to let go of his grip on the defense & hand it over to someone else. Don't see that happening.

7. Resign Juju.
Dude showed some serious dedication getting back onto the field for the playoffs. 6-month timetable that he turned into 3 months. He loves this city. Not many teams were interested in him last offseason, so maybe he could be signed cheap.

8. KEEP TABS ON DENVER.
If the new head coaching hire decides to part ways with Mike Muchak then the Steelers better be the first line ringing on Munch's phone. Buy the man his own private jet if he doesn't want to leave his family.
 

FaCe-LeE-uS

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Didn't feel like it was necessary to put anything about the GM above... Seems like the succession plan is already in place. Either Hunt or Khan will do just fine.
 

FaCe-LeE-uS

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Forgot about extending Minkah... Added up high lol
 

Superbelt

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Maybe this thread should be titled 2022 Steelers Season thread.

We used the 2021 thread from Offseason until our WC bumpoff. Just suggestion.
 

FaCe-LeE-uS

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Maybe this thread should be titled 2022 Steelers Season thread.

We used the 2021 thread from Offseason until our WC bumpoff. Just suggestion.
Had the same thought... But in previous years I started a SEASON thread after camp ended. Last season I did not. I won't fail yinz again.
 

Superbelt

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Keep:
Ahkello Witherspoon - He's a starter for next year.
Minkah Fitzpatrick - Priority extension.
JuJu Smith-Schuster - He came back early just to play with us, risking his recovery and long-term marketability.
Miles Killebrew - Core STer
Ray Ray McCloud - Core STer
Arthur Maulet - Core STer
Montravius Adams - Great #2 NT. Shored up the DL, badly needed player.
Edmunds - I'd bring him back if it's cheap. But let him walk if he can get decent money. He actually had a good passer rating against. Solid, but not anywhere close to a star.
Hassenauer - Best OC on the roster this past year. At least good enough for the top IOL backup.

Let walk, trade or cut:
Joe Haden - Wants too much and wants playoffs. He won't get that here at his age
James Washington - Soured between him and team
Chuks Okorafor - Not bad, but a core component of the worst OL in the league 2 years in a row. Not a fan.
Joe Schobert - Both ILB's need replaced, but he's the one who is a FA, so he goes first
Trai Turner - Nothing special. This is where Green needs to play.
Eric Ebron - Nothing needs said.
Taco Charleton - Nothing special
Kalen Ballage - Nothing special
Chase Claypool - I'm done with him. Big man who can't stay up or win contested catches. Doesn't make plays on the ball. I don't see him ever playing up to his natural ability.
Tuitt - Entirely too much money to never be on the field.
Gilbert III - Nothing special
Tuszka - Nothing special

Roster:
QB: Mason, Dwayne
RB: Najee, McFarland, Snell
WR: Diontae, JuJu, Ray-Ray, Anthony Miller
TE: Muth, Gentry, Rader
OT: Banner, Moore Jr, Haeg,
OG: Dotson, Green, LeGlue,
OC: Hassenauer

DT: Alualu, Adams,
DE: Cam, Wormley, Loudermilk, Carlos Davis, Mondeaux
OLB: Watt, Highsmith,
ILB: Bush, Spillane, Buddy,
SS: Edmunds, Allen, Killebrew
FS: Fitzpatrick, Tre Norwood
CB: Ahkello, Sutton, Pierre, Layne, Maulet

P: Harvin/Waitman competition.
K: Boswell
LS: Canaday/FA

DL is deep and strong even without Tuitt. OL is weak as pudding. Lots of focus on OL. No one on the current OL should feel safe in having a starting position next year. Need to look for an ILB too. And need another WR and a CB. Need to fill out the LB. Maybe by bringing back some of my "not special guys above', but also look to the draft.

2022 NFL Draft, realistic targets at 20.
Big boys. OC, OT, OG in that order of preference

Tyler Linderbaum, OC
Ikem Ekwonu, OT/OG
Nick Petit-Frere, OT
Trevor Penning, OT
Kenyon Green, OG

I also wouldn't mind this year being one to make a bunch of trade downs squirreling capital for next year.

Gotta extend Minkah and resign JuJu. They are core and they have heart.
 
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SteelersPride

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Keep:
Ahkello Witherspoon - He's a starter for next year.
Minkah Fitzpatrick - Priority extension.
JuJu Smith-Schuster - He came back early just to play with us, risking his recovery and long-term marketability.
Miles Killebrew - Core STer
Ray Ray McCloud - Core STer
Arthur Maulet - Core STer
Montravius Adams - Great #2 NT. Shored up the DL, badly needed player.
Edmunds - I'd bring him back if it's cheap. But let him walk if he can get decent money. He actually had a good passer rating against. Solid, but not anywhere close to a star.
Hassenauer - Best OC on the roster this past year. At least good enough for the top IOL backup.

Let walk, trade or cut:
Joe Haden - Wants too much and wants playoffs. He won't get that here at his age
James Washington - Soured between him and team
Chuks Okorafor - Not bad, but a core component of the worst OL in the league 2 years in a row. Not a fan.
Joe Schobert - Both ILB's need replaced, but he's the one who is a FA, so he goes first
Trai Turner - Nothing special. This is where Green needs to play.
Eric Ebron - Nothing needs said.
Taco Charleton - Nothing special
Kalen Ballage - Nothing special
Chase Claypool - I'm done with him. Big man who can't stay up or win contested catches. Doesn't make plays on the ball. I don't see him ever playing up to his natural ability.
Tuitt - Entirely too much money to never be on the field.
Gilbert III - Nothing special
Tuszka - Nothing special

Roster:
QB: Mason, Dwayne
RB: Najee, McFarland, Snell
WR: Diontae, JuJu, Ray-Ray, Anthony Miller
TE: Muth, Gentry, Rader
OT: Banner, Moore Jr, Haeg,
OG: Dotson, Green, LeGlue,
OC: Hassenauer

DT: Alualu, Adams,
DE: Cam, Wormley, Loudermilk, Carlos Davis, Mondeaux
OLB: Watt, Highsmith,
ILB: Bush, Spillane, Buddy,
SS: Edmunds, Allen, Killebrew
FS: Fitzpatrick, Tre Norwood
CB: Ahkello, Sutton, Pierre, Layne, Maulet

P: Harvin/Waitman competition.
K: Boswell
LS: Canaday/FA

DL is deep and strong even without Tuitt. OL is weak as pudding. Lots of focus on OL. No one on the current OL should feel safe in having a starting position next year. Need to look for an ILB too. And need another WR and a CB. Need to fill out the LB. Maybe by bringing back some of my "not special guys above', but also look to the draft.

2022 NFL Draft, realistic targets at 20.
Big boys. OC, OT, OG in that order of preference

Tyler Linderbaum, OC
Ikem Ekwonu, OT/OG
Nick Petit-Frere, OT
Trevor Penning, OT
Kenyon Green, OG

I also wouldn't mind this year being one to make a bunch of trade downs squirreling capital for next year.

Gotta extend Minkah and resign JuJu. They are core and they have heart.
While im frustrated with claypool too. Gotta let him play out his rookie deal unless someone offers up alot. He still does have alpha traits if he can put it together. They need to put like a rock under his shoulder pads on his back, just a small one that he normally wont feel. Everytime he falls on his back though it rips into him. Make him stop jumping and falling on his back EVERY play
 

Superbelt

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While im frustrated with claypool too. Gotta let him
Play out his rookie deal unless someone offers up alot. He still does have alpha traits if he can put it together. They need to put like a rock under his shoulder pads on his back, just a small one that he normally wont feel. Everytime he falls on his back though it rips into him. Make him stop jumping and falling on his back EVERY play
Chase is under contract the next two years.

Is him not being here going to be a missing piece for a playoff Steeler team? I doubt it. I'm soured on him enough. I don't see him turning it around. He just doesn't have the head for it. I'd trade him for draft positioning. Colbert can find guys who can replace him in the draft.
 

FaCe-LeE-uS

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Chase is under contract the next two years.

Is him not being here going to be a missing piece for a playoff Steeler team? I doubt it. I'm soured on him enough. I don't see him turning it around. He just doesn't have the head for it. I'd trade him for draft positioning. Colbert can find guys who can replace him in the draft.
If someone calls with a 3rd or better then its an easy trade. But anything less isn't worth it right now. They have too many holes to fill this offseason, including at WR without losing Claypool. Doesn't make enough sense to increase that burden without good enough compensation. But you make a fantastic point. He isn't a key piece right now and has proved enough times that he can't be a reliable threat. I'm not ready to close the door on his potential, but I have to agree that his potential is somewhat capped. I don't really like the thought of giving him a big contract extension in the 2023 offseason either. If he proves himself this year then I'd rather see how he approaches the business side of things next offseason. Lets see how he leverages that situation before we're too quick to sign him long term. My guess is he holds out given his ego. If thats how he wants to approach it then I'd just let him hold out and then tag him in 2024 if its worth the drama lol.
 

SteelersPride

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Chase is under contract the next two years.

Is him not being here going to be a missing piece for a playoff Steeler team? I doubt it. I'm soured on him enough. I don't see him turning it around. He just doesn't have the head for it. I'd trade him for draft positioning. Colbert can find guys who can replace him in the draft.
For what though we used a second on him, you gonna get a first in return, lets see if the alpha emerges
 

Superbelt

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For what though we used a second on him, you gonna get a first in return, lets see if the alpha emerges
I would take a 3 or a 4, or a modest bump from 20 in the 1st for him.

I'd certainly demote him to 3rd or 4th receiver if he stays.
 

SteelersPride

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I would take a 3 or a 4, or a modest bump from 20 in the 1st for him.

I'd certainly demote him to 3rd or 4th receiver if he stays.
Fair enough. I get it. I just am not ready to sell yet.
 

thedddd

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Nothing to add since I agree with it all even letting Chase go for the right price. If he is an enhancer to move up in the 1st to get the right player then yes do it.
 

SteelersPride

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Nothing to add since I agree with it all even letting Chase go for the right price. If he is an enhancer to move up in the 1st to get the right player then yes do it.
Im not opposed to that. Its just he does have rare traits and flashes. Hes a bird brain. But its only been 2 years. Lets see if he can put it together. Theres not many guys that truly have the elite traits he possesses. You spent a second on him. Washington is gonna walk, and diontae cant get out of his own head and keeps dropping balls. Yeah we draft wide receivers well, but after two years giving him up for LESS or equal to the deadt capitol we used on him…seems crazy. If he ever got his head on straight he has top ten wr traits.
 

thedddd

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Im not opposed to that. Its just he does have rare traits and flashes. Hes a bird brain. But its only been 2 years. Lets see if he can put it together. Theres not many guys that truly have the elite traits he possesses. You spent a second on him. Washington is gonna walk, and diontae cant get out of his own head and keeps dropping balls. Yeah we draft wide receivers well, but after two years giving him up for LESS or equal to the deadt capitol we used on him…seems crazy. If he ever got his head on straight he has top ten wr traits.
Oh yeah I truly expect him to be around next season. They are going to play out his rookie contract, and maybe that subsequent pay day will wake him up sooner vs later.
 

FaCe-LeE-uS

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Poni & Aditi are full of shit 99.9% of the time, but I would love it if this belongs in the 0.1%

 

Superbelt

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It'll be Teryl Austin.

The incestuous recursion on the staff will continue.
 

Superbelt

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Mike Tomlin deserves credit for keeping the team together down the stretch and finding a way to win the final two games in order to clinch the final playoff spot in the AFC.​
He deserves credit, but spare me the “He should be coach of the year for the job he did.” And spare me the idea that somehow we must ignore the Steelers postseason failures the past 11 seasons when we evaluate his overall resume.​
Tomlin began his career 5-1 in playoff games. But after the Steelers playoff debacle Sunday, a 42-21 demolition at the hands of the Chiefs, he is now 8-9 in playoff games. He is 3-8 in his last 11 playoff games. And for the first time since 1967-1971, the Steelers have not won a playoff game in five consecutive seasons..
I don’t think Tomlin should be fired, but I have to ask what exactly the Steelers’ standard is these days and why I am I supposed to wax poetic about the fact he “never had a losing season?”​
I mean the standard is the standard, or so we’ve been told, but that standard has been lowered considerably in the past decade or so despite the presence of a Hall of Fame coach and Hall of Fame quarterback.​
 

FaCe-LeE-uS

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It'll be Teryl Austin.

The incestuous recursion on the staff will continue.
Uggghhh hadn't thought of that yet... But so damn true
 

FaCe-LeE-uS

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Mike Tomlin deserves credit for keeping the team together down the stretch and finding a way to win the final two games in order to clinch the final playoff spot in the AFC.​
He deserves credit, but spare me the “He should be coach of the year for the job he did.” And spare me the idea that somehow we must ignore the Steelers postseason failures the past 11 seasons when we evaluate his overall resume.​
Tomlin began his career 5-1 in playoff games. But after the Steelers playoff debacle Sunday, a 42-21 demolition at the hands of the Chiefs, he is now 8-9 in playoff games. He is 3-8 in his last 11 playoff games. And for the first time since 1967-1971, the Steelers have not won a playoff game in five consecutive seasons..
I don’t think Tomlin should be fired, but I have to ask what exactly the Steelers’ standard is these days and why I am I supposed to wax poetic about the fact he “never had a losing season?”​
I mean the standard is the standard, or so we’ve been told, but that standard has been lowered considerably in the past decade or so despite the presence of a Hall of Fame coach and Hall of Fame quarterback.​
Scares me to see how stagnant this team has gotten. But they made their bed by letting Ben ride it out the past couple years when it became obvious that a new rebuild was needed. I view the 2021 season as a bridge year with Ben at the helm, even if I drank the koolaid numerous times convincing myself that they could have made more of it. But the Steelers are positioned to truly rebuild this year. Ben is gone, and the team has $40-45m in cap space (including carryover). Lots of low hanging fruit to extend that number to $50-60m too.

If Tomlin is indeed a HOF-worthy coach then he & the new GM will rebuild this team quickly and get them back into contention to rewrite his footprint. Tomlin was very fortunate to have inherited a HOF QB for the entirety of his head coaching career. That will be a substantial disclaimer hanging over any accolades that he has accomplished.
 
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