“We just weren’t good enough,” said the Steelers HC Mike Tomlin after the disappointing 14-28 wild card loss to the Ravens in January this year. Clearly, they were lagging behind the championship caliber team on many fronts. So, the front office and the coaching staff sat down to make the best roster that would help them win the games. It started with bringing in talented players like DK Metcalf. But it has also sent questions in the football world about the future of their players, particularly George Pickens. We have found an answer for all of you.
The Black and the Gold drafted him in the 2nd round (52nd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. In 3 seasons, he has played 48 games (40 starters) and recorded 174 receptions in 2,841 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. But his rookie deal of 4-year $6.75 million deal is ending soon. And the Steelers haven’t given a new deal yet.
The Steelers GM Omar Khan talked about the WR’s future at the NFL annual meeting and said, “No. You need more than one receiver in this league, and we’re fortunate we have George (Pickens) and Calvin (Austin III).” This was his refusal to any type of trade impact of DK Metcalf on Pickens in the franchise.
Even the HC Mike Tomlin also agreed to this and said, “We’ll figure that out, but that’s not a problem as I see it. I don’t necessarily view them as similar, to be quite honest with you. I mean, DK (Metcalf) is a big man, ‘GP’ (George Pickens) is tall. There’s a difference.”
DK Metcalf is a beast in the football world. In 6 seasons, he played 97 games (93 starters) and recorded 438 receptions for 6,324 receiving yards and 48 touchdowns. But will his 5-year $150 million extension have any impact?
The chances are high. But the Black and the Gold will try to keep him on the roster.
The other pressing issue they have is the signal caller position. Aaron Rodgers is not ready to commit. And the draft is still 22 days away. In this scenario, the HC Mike Tomlin is propping up his team with their backup QB.
Mike Tomlin ready to play Mason Rudolph as their starter
After their primary QBs, Russell Wilson (NY Giants) and Justin Fields (NY Jets) moved on, there was only one path left. They had to sign someone fast. And they brought in the 7-year veteran QB Mason Rudolph. He spent 6 years with the franchise earlier. In those 6 years, from 2018 to 2023, he played 21 games (13 starters) and had a 8-4 win-loss record (1 draw). It gave them confidence to sign him up for a 2-year $8 million deal.
The HC Mike Tomlin is ready to start him again as he said, “That’s why we brought him back. I’m comfortable with that. We’ve been there before. He’s a very capable guy.”
He wasn’t the only one in the building who carried this feeling. Even the Steelers GM Omar Khan praised the quarterback by saying, “I have a lot of confidence in Mason. Our experience with Mason’s been relatively positive, so he made sense.”
That’s right, but there’s a hidden pain.
Instead of a great signing, it looks more like being content with their choices. They wanted Aaron Rodgers to commit, but he is refusing to do so. In that scenario, they are trying to keep the environment positive. That’s the only way forward for Mike Tomlin & Co.
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