The Steelers have had issues retaining top players

[Hawkeye0202]

This isn't excusing Pickens' immaturity issues, but the Steelers have a pattern of not losing elite players after their rookie year.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Not sure I’d say that many of those guys were elite. I mean Fields we weren’t even sure would get a starting gig, Najee looks like RB2, Pickett isn’t likely to start, Claypool hasn’t done anything since leaving Pittsburgh, Juju caught 18 balls last year. The only real elite players are AB who we know had his own issues. Pickens could eventually get there, emphasis on could.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

This isn't excusing Pickens' immaturity issues, but the Steelers have a pattern of not losing elite players after their rookie year.

I was listening to Steelers radio and one of the hosts joked Cowboys have had more success then Steelers since they’ve won a playoff game in 8 years. Steelers aren’t the model organization they get credited for. Offensively they have a problem. All those guys you listed are on offense.

 

[JBS]

Steelers let all of those guys go intentionally and just about every single one of them sucked after leaving Pittsburgh.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Not sure I’d say that many of those guys were elite. I mean Fields we weren’t even sure would get a starting gig, Najee looks like RB2, Pickett isn’t likely to start, Claypool hasn’t done anything since leaving Pittsburgh, Juju caught 18 balls last year. The only real elite players are AB who we know had his own issues. Pickens could eventually get there, emphasis on could.

I remember when Juju, Diontae and Claypool. Maybe not an elite player but that was a elite group though and were all young.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Steelers let all of those guys go intentionally and just about every single one of them sucked after leaving Pittsburgh.

Isn’t that what happens though? Young guys leave the organization that developed them and they go to never be as good. Unless you are a star. AB was a star. We know Pickens has more talent then all of those guys up there.

 

[thunderpimp91]

I remember when Juju, Diontae and Claypool. Maybe not an elite player but that was a elite group though and were all young.

Yeah not that long ago either, and they all were talked about as potential top guys. All have fallen pretty hard since leaving Pittsburgh with juju probably having the best career so far. That’s the part I worry about with Pickens is how often these guys fall off the map after leaving. I do think Pickens is probably the best all around player of that group though.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Yeah not that long ago either, and they all were talked about as potential top guys. All have fallen pretty hard since leaving Pittsburgh with juju probably having the best career so far. That’s the part I worry about with Pickens is how often these guys fall off the map after leaving. I do think Pickens is probably the best all around player of that group though.

Yeah but what is it though? They all had behavioral issues but the talent wasn’t lacking. It’s odd.

 

[TwoDeep3]

The GM of the Steelers is letting player walk this season to build up comp picks for next year. Players who price themselves out or don't offer the talent, they are moving them. There was a Steelers report i saw earlier today that talked about this.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Yeah but what is it though? They all had behavioral issues but the talent wasn’t lacking. It’s odd.

Not just that but they keep drafting these kinds of players. Maybe Tomlin believes his leadership can make a difference in helping them overcome their issues.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

From an outside perspective I think Mike Tomlin's act in Pittsburgh is growing thin. So he constantly tries to reboot the roster in an attempt to show the front office "look, I am changing things, I'm shaking this up and this is how we will get better".

This isn't the old NFL where coaches can last decades like a Tom Landry or a Don Shula. Tomlin is a good coach, he has been for a very long time, but it's probably time for the Steelers to move in another direction.

Or, this is all a plan to tank to get their QB in 2026. They can even use the extra 3rd they got from trading Pickens in a trade package to move up for a QB of their choosing.

Again this is just how I see it. Have no idea what they are doing in Pittsburgh but I am willing to let Pickens prove himself here before passing judgment.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

"Top players"

lol

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Not just that but they keep drafting these kinds of players. Maybe Tomlin believes his leadership can make a difference in helping them overcome their issues.

That’s another thing. All of their receivers get disgruntled. If it was just AB I’d be like it’s a one off but it’s not.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

From an outside perspective I think Mike Tomlin's act in Pittsburgh is growing thin. So he constantly tries to reboot the roster in an attempt to show the front office "look, I am changing things, I'm shaking this up and this is how we will get better".

This isn't the old NFL where coaches can last decades like a Tom Landry or a Don Shula. Tomlin is a good coach, he has been for a very long time, but it's probably time for the Steelers to move in another direction.

Or, this is all a plan to tank to get their QB in 2026. They can even use the extra 3rd they got from trading Pickens in a trade package to move up for a QB of their choosing.

Again this is just how I see it. Have no idea what they are doing in Pittsburgh but I am willing to let Pickens prove himself here before passing judgment.

But they just gave DK all that money but it sure looks like a tank job. Unless they get Rodgers…

 

[J817]

Let’s hope Pickens is special, but there was nothing special about the other Jerseys that guy revealed.

 

[gimmesix]

Yeah not that long ago either, and they all were talked about as potential top guys. All have fallen pretty hard since leaving Pittsburgh with juju probably having the best career so far. That’s the part I worry about with Pickens is how often these guys fall off the map after leaving. I do think Pickens is probably the best all around player of that group though.

In some ways, I'd be more concerned about it if he was brought in to be the star at the position. I think he'd fail at that. Being the player who takes advantage if defenses sit on Lamb should suit Pickens.

In other words, he doesn't really have to put up the numbers he did in Pittsburgh to be successful here. It would be great to have to 1,000-yard receivers, though.