I've spent a little too much time thinking about this today. Unlike the salary cap, coaches, front office, and owner would all count against the cap. Maybe even fans. I think there has to be a floor, because if everyone is a boyscout,that wouldn't work either.
To the angel of the church in Ephesus writeth thee via His Substack:
He who extendeth the season regular to the 18th game and introduceth new laws of overtime doth hasten the day of the 6-6-6 record! Then shall the end time be near!
Runneth to me not when the half-time show of the Bowl that is called Super containeth Seven Trumpets alone.
My inner monologue: "Gosh, was my Jalen Hurts question really that bad? I thought it provided opportunity for further reflection on historical achievement and where it stands among the Eagles interesting QB history"
The Steelers' problem is that they're between elite QBs. This is common in the NFL, and can last for decades.
In the last three years, they've tried reaching for a quarterback in the first round, signing failed Bears prospects, and hoping that a fading star had one more good year in him. None has worked. Yet they've still made the playoffs the last two years.
So if Rodgers needs to tend to his personal issues, they'll go with Mason Rudolph this year. Either way, they'll find a way to win nine games.
And Mike Tomlin will leave when he decides to retire.
I thought the most Steelers thing ever was in 2019 and Big Ben was out for the season with his elbow, and the Steelers traded away their 2020 first round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Sure, Fitzpatrick is great and probably helped them win some games that year, but they clearly needed a new quarterback then. That pick could have brought them Jordan Love. Of course, they still could have picked Jalen Hurts instead of Chase Claypool, but when you’re in denial that your aging quarterback isn’t invincible, you keep accumulating receivers and defensive players.
I feel like the Steelers are getting too much credit for their endless pursuit of being two games above average. I admit, it’s a great scam for the Rooneys, a team that is always in contention equals full stadiums for all home games with an occasional home playoff game as the ultimate goal. More importantly they love all the parking, concessions, and jersey sales that come with it. Tomlin is onboard with this approach,which is why he will never be fired
If they are actually planning for mediocrity, it would be quite a change in approach for an organization tied for the most Superbowls in history. Prior to the summer of 2025, I would have categorically rejected the idea that they were actually trying for a first round playoff loss each year. If they wanted to do that, they could have kept Pickett. However, their mismanagement of this offseason looks so bad that it caused me to legitimately wonder if this is the new plan.
" I thought i was the only one left still using that term. Of course, that isnt true but its still a thrill to see it used in the wild. I end up explainin it most of the time so i tend not to use it.
Young folks these days would never use "goldbricking" because the ones I see on the social networks believe loafing on the job is some sort of subversive activism and/or an essential way to maintain work-life balance.
If ever a team needs to and has "earned" the right to have a reset (aka"tank") season, it is the Steelers. They had been so good for so long, and then this recent run of 8-8, 9-7, 10-7, 9-8 seasons, they are overdue to just have a year from hell. Bottom out, go 4-13, fire Tomlin, and get a QB and start over.
Note 1: Yes, I know a football team doesn't tank on the field, but the team building for this season seems to be telling us that they are not taking themselves as a contender.
Note 2: Full credit that this team in the past 50+ years has never really bottomed out. There are a couple of random 5-11/6-10 seasons, but that is it. I am not doing the research, but I bet they have had maybe 6 seasons under .500 since 1972.
You know how Twitter every once in awhile used to have a main character for a day? Usually it was someone that inadvertently drew attention to themselves by doing or saying something embarrassing that no one should probably do or say in public. Well, it feels like the Steelers have inadvertently become the NFL main character this offseason.
I enjoyed your highlights of the Steelers' offseason, but would increase the depth of one item - their apparent idleness as Justin Fields became the new starting QB of the Jets. Had Pittsburgh managed to retain him for '25, he would have at least provided a medium-high floor for QB play, and perhaps even done better than he did in his starts last year. Now, there is at least a 50/50 chance their starter will be Mason Rudolph instead. Were this any other franchise, well, you see my point...
So there are two 'Justin Fields' out there, one with "at least" a "medium-high floor for QB play"? Why in the world have they put the other one on TV these past few years?
I would call Field's floor "at least dangerous QB play" and agree with the point. As I mentioned, I think the Steelers believed Fields would just linger and wait for some lowball one-year contract from them. Or else Tomlin and Arthur soured on him quickly in midseason.
Yeah, the asshole cap situation for each team is probably a feature that needs writing.
Hard "yes."
Sorry, no. For the majority of teams you'd really have trouble identifying 'one'.
Is there a floor?
I've spent a little too much time thinking about this today. Unlike the salary cap, coaches, front office, and owner would all count against the cap. Maybe even fans. I think there has to be a floor, because if everyone is a boyscout,that wouldn't work either.
This is growing into something fun! I probably won't write it though. I don't want to spend that much time sorting and ranking assholes.
Note the lack of assholes on the Eagles actual team!
All of the Eagles cap is tied up in the fans, of course. They can't afford to have any on the roster.
“That’s the joke.”
To the angel of the church in Ephesus writeth thee via His Substack:
He who extendeth the season regular to the 18th game and introduceth new laws of overtime doth hasten the day of the 6-6-6 record! Then shall the end time be near!
Runneth to me not when the half-time show of the Bowl that is called Super containeth Seven Trumpets alone.
*sees "most Iggles fan question" ever*
My inner monologue: "Gosh, was my Jalen Hurts question really that bad? I thought it provided opportunity for further reflection on historical achievement and where it stands among the Eagles interesting QB history"
*sees what the question actually is*
My inner monologue: "Oh."
I may be writing an addendum to the All Time Top Five where I discuss who moved up and down lists during the 2024 season.
"The Jets are carrying a lot of dead asshole around with them this year."
On the right day, my wife might claim the same.
The Steelers' problem is that they're between elite QBs. This is common in the NFL, and can last for decades.
In the last three years, they've tried reaching for a quarterback in the first round, signing failed Bears prospects, and hoping that a fading star had one more good year in him. None has worked. Yet they've still made the playoffs the last two years.
So if Rodgers needs to tend to his personal issues, they'll go with Mason Rudolph this year. Either way, they'll find a way to win nine games.
And Mike Tomlin will leave when he decides to retire.
I thought the most Steelers thing ever was in 2019 and Big Ben was out for the season with his elbow, and the Steelers traded away their 2020 first round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Sure, Fitzpatrick is great and probably helped them win some games that year, but they clearly needed a new quarterback then. That pick could have brought them Jordan Love. Of course, they still could have picked Jalen Hurts instead of Chase Claypool, but when you’re in denial that your aging quarterback isn’t invincible, you keep accumulating receivers and defensive players.
They were way too scared of ruffling Ben's feathers at the end of his career. They have been paying and paying and paying for it.
I feel like the Steelers are getting too much credit for their endless pursuit of being two games above average. I admit, it’s a great scam for the Rooneys, a team that is always in contention equals full stadiums for all home games with an occasional home playoff game as the ultimate goal. More importantly they love all the parking, concessions, and jersey sales that come with it. Tomlin is onboard with this approach,which is why he will never be fired
If they are actually planning for mediocrity, it would be quite a change in approach for an organization tied for the most Superbowls in history. Prior to the summer of 2025, I would have categorically rejected the idea that they were actually trying for a first round playoff loss each year. If they wanted to do that, they could have kept Pickett. However, their mismanagement of this offseason looks so bad that it caused me to legitimately wonder if this is the new plan.
My hate recognizes no calendar.
"goldbricking
" I thought i was the only one left still using that term. Of course, that isnt true but its still a thrill to see it used in the wild. I end up explainin it most of the time so i tend not to use it.
Thank you. It reminds me of my grandfather.
No need reminding Mike of his age. (that's what teenagers are for)
Young folks these days would never use "goldbricking" because the ones I see on the social networks believe loafing on the job is some sort of subversive activism and/or an essential way to maintain work-life balance.
If ever a team needs to and has "earned" the right to have a reset (aka"tank") season, it is the Steelers. They had been so good for so long, and then this recent run of 8-8, 9-7, 10-7, 9-8 seasons, they are overdue to just have a year from hell. Bottom out, go 4-13, fire Tomlin, and get a QB and start over.
Note 1: Yes, I know a football team doesn't tank on the field, but the team building for this season seems to be telling us that they are not taking themselves as a contender.
Note 2: Full credit that this team in the past 50+ years has never really bottomed out. There are a couple of random 5-11/6-10 seasons, but that is it. I am not doing the research, but I bet they have had maybe 6 seasons under .500 since 1972.
just checked,
last Steelers season 4-13 or lower was 1969
7 seasons under .500 since 1972 (worst 5-11 in 1988)
1 season under .500 this century (6-10 in 2003)
I also like the "I am not doing the research" part. Those damn showoffs like making me look bad!
So you're just mumbling to yourself while belly up to the bar?
Norm!
You know how Twitter every once in awhile used to have a main character for a day? Usually it was someone that inadvertently drew attention to themselves by doing or saying something embarrassing that no one should probably do or say in public. Well, it feels like the Steelers have inadvertently become the NFL main character this offseason.
You NEVER want to be Twitter/Bluesky’s main character.
Good Morning -
I enjoyed your highlights of the Steelers' offseason, but would increase the depth of one item - their apparent idleness as Justin Fields became the new starting QB of the Jets. Had Pittsburgh managed to retain him for '25, he would have at least provided a medium-high floor for QB play, and perhaps even done better than he did in his starts last year. Now, there is at least a 50/50 chance their starter will be Mason Rudolph instead. Were this any other franchise, well, you see my point...
Bill
???
So there are two 'Justin Fields' out there, one with "at least" a "medium-high floor for QB play"? Why in the world have they put the other one on TV these past few years?
I would call Field's floor "at least dangerous QB play" and agree with the point. As I mentioned, I think the Steelers believed Fields would just linger and wait for some lowball one-year contract from them. Or else Tomlin and Arthur soured on him quickly in midseason.