Steelers Central

Top NFL Draft WRs Eval, FA Needs

On this episode of Steelers Central, we begin our first draft evaluations of the season with the top WRS in the class: Arizona State WR Jordan Tyson, Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, and USC WR Malaki Lemon. This is an uber-talented group of WRs that are great and consistent separators. See which one I think would be the best fit for the Steelers, and I hope they fall to them. It's also time to begin looking at the holes the Steelers have remaining on their roster and which are most pressing. Obviously, WR remains at the top with uncertainty at the QB position being a close second. Listen to see what other positions I think will be of concern, including a couple in the secondary. 0:00-14:09 Arizona State WR Jordan Tyson 14:10-25:25 Ohio State WR Carnell Tate 25:26-38:37 USC WR Malaki Lemon 38:38-58:09 Steelers Roster Holes

Looming Decision at OLB

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's time to handout grades to the defensive side of the ball. Tune in to see which position groups disappointed most, and why it was hard grading the defensive line that saw individually have good season, but together, they struggled to stop the run. Also, which group has the most potential to be great under Patrick Graham, and which room needs an overhaul after 2025. Next, with the news of Nick Herbig wanting to be a starter even if that means not in Pittsburgh, the Steelers will have a looming decision in their EDGE rushing room. TJ Watt's 3-year $123 million extension kicks in this year while Alex Highsmith is in the middle of his 4-year $68 million extension. I said it last offseason, and I will say it again, giving TJ Watt that much money was a mistake, and they should look to get the best offer for him. Nick Herbig should be untouchable, while the Steelers should explore offers for both Highsmith and Watt even though Watt would garner more return. Lastly, I give my thoughts on the new hires of Mike McCarthy in the last coaching update as the team officially has a new OC that could bring some new ideas to McCarthy's traditional West Coast scheme while adding a secondary coach that had his group totaling 176 INTs over nine years, a former DT in the AFC North, and a BIG 12 OLB Coach that has three notable draft prospects coming into this year 0:00-26:09 Steelers Defensive Grades 26:10-39:28 Time to trade Watt? 39:29-47:39 Rounding out the Staff

Building a New Staff

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's report card time, as we hand out grades to the offensive position groups. Tune into see which group had the best and worst grades, and if there were any As on our report card. See why I think the position group that had the lowest grade, was set up to fail by ownership. Next, I'll have some takeaways from McCarthy's opening press conference that included a touching opening message on how much Pittsburgh means to him, and his definitive stance on if he wants Aaron Rodgers back. See what else stuck out to me in McCarthy's first press conference as the Steelers HC. One aspect that was emphasized was the infusion of young talent into the coaching staff, and there have been signs of that with the team interviewing CJ Ah You as OLB Coach and Scott Tolzien for OC. Tune in to see what hires that I am excited about (hint Patrick Graham and James Campen top that list), and which hires that are leaving me scratching my head. 0:00-26:48 Steelers Offensive Report Card Grades 26:49-36:28 McCarthy Introductory Presser 36:29-49:28 McCarthy's Impressive Staff

Mushy Middle with a Different Mike

What was supposed to be an episode looking at the Steelers HC options that were seemingly lining up in their favor, turned into a head-scratching rant on the Mike McCarthy hire. Instead of going young and innovative, the Steelers went old and predictable. Art Rooney is keeping the status of mediocrity and being in the mushy middle alive as he refuses to sacrifice one year for a high draft cycle. This is the worst outcome for this organizations, and the worst hire of this HC cycle.

Turning the Page After Tomlin

In a wild week of Steelers news, the Steelers will do something they haven't done in 19 years: find a new head coach. This comes after the team's 30-6 defeat on Monday night against the Texans, becoming the nail in the coffin for Tomlin to step down. This episode we'll break down the legacy of Mike Tomlin, his 19-year tenure, what went wrong down the stretch run if his career, and why I thought they were five years too late in letting Tomlin keep his job. Next, it's time to look back at what went wrong in the Divisional Round game, and what went wrong to give Tomlin his seventh straight playoff loss to tie Marvin Lewis for longest all time. Despite getting three TOs and multiple short field opportunities, the Steelers scored just six points and had under 200 total yards. This game was close for a majority of the game until things broke down late in the 4th quarter. There weren't many bright spots aside from Joey Porter Jr. and Corliss Waitman pinning the Texans inside the 20 four times, but plenty of pitfalls including 3rd downs, run defense, OT play, Brandon Echols, and Arthur Smith. At Art Rooney's press conference, we saw that not even Rooney saw Tomlin stepping down as an option. He was prepared to even give Tomlin another shot. Instead, the Steelers will look for another captivating personality to lead the team like their three previous HCs. The HC will also have full control over roster-building and coaching staff, which is really telling and shows you how much control Tomlin had as well. Lastly, we'll look at some of the names that Pittsburgh has mentioned so far with seven candidates on the board. 0:00-16:24 Tomlin Stepping Down 16:25-30:50 Steelers vs Texans Game Recap 30:51-44:54 Art Rooney's Presser 44:55-53:05 Steelers HC Candidates