Recently I was thinking about my time writing about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout my career doing so, I\u2019ve essentially done it all.<\/p>\n
Commentary, news, breaking stories, features and even took a stab at simple film room breakdowns.<\/p>\n
The one thing I\u2019ve never done is work on just a random thought type format.<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t speak for you, the reader, but I am always thinking about writing and the Steelers. Thinking about different aspects of the team and game. Thanks to reading Myron Cope\u2019s biography I decided to put a unique spin on this type of feature.<\/p>\n
Now, for the name of the article, anyone who is familiar with the Styx song \u201cRenegade\u201d should know where it came from. If not, this is where it came from\u2026<\/p>\n
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This\u2019ll be the end today of the wanted man<\/p>\n
The jig is up\u2026time for some randomness.<\/p>\n
Early thoughts on Free Agency<\/p>\n
Throughout the first week of free agency, I have been pleasantly surprised with the moves and approach of the Steelers. Pittsburgh under Omar Khan has shown an ability to go outside the realm of normalcy fans grew accustomed to in prior regimes. The past typical approach was to take a wait-and-see approach as the first wave of free agency started, and then make strategic moves. Under Khan he has not just been willing to jump in the proverbial water during that first wave, but even to consider trades instead of getting into a bidding war with teams in free agency.<\/p>\n
Outside of the approach, I really like how the Steelers have filled most of their needs before the 2026 NFL Draft. It\u2019s still early, more moves remain, but I really like the start.<\/p>\n
Favorite signing so far<\/p>\n
Of all the signings so far, which is my favorite?<\/p>\n
Most might say Michael Pittman Jr., and I loved that trade, but I\u2019m going to go with Rico Dowdle.<\/p>\n
I was a big fan of Dowdle in his breakout season in Dallas, and enjoyed watching him play for the Panthers last season. His skill set is not redundant to Jaylen Warren\u2019s, where some suggest that may have been the case last season with Kenneth Gainwell. Nonetheless, Dowdle will be a tremendous contrast to Warren.<\/p>\n
This duo will be fun to watch this season.<\/p>\n
Who will be the QB?<\/p>\n
Kyler Murray has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, and the Steelers options have dwindled yet again.<\/p>\n
Or did they?<\/p>\n
Just like last season, I have a strong feeling the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers have a verbal agreement on a deal which has yet to be officially signed. The Steelers know Rodgers is coming. Rodgers knows he\u2019ll play for the Steelers this season. Enough said.<\/p>\n
This may frustrate many fans, but if you read the writing on the wall it seems rather obvious Rodgers, and likely the entire quarterback room from last year will return as well.<\/p>\n
About Quarterbacks\u2026for those who may forget<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s NFL more than ever, there is a general rule of thumb for the quarterback position\u2026<\/p>\n
If you have one, you don\u2019t get rid of one.<\/p>\n
This is why the next future franchise quarterback will likely have to come from the NFL Draft at some point. If there is a team who has a bonafide starter, they aren\u2019t getting rid of that player. Even if you look back at past trades, like the Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford deal, it was swapping quarterbacks and not just shipping a successful 1st Round player for nothing in return.<\/p>\n
Constantly playing the limbo game at the position is exhausting, and getting out of the game will mean finding the next one in a future draft.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s next?<\/p>\n
After the Steelers signed Jaquan Brisker, the only real need I see on the team\u2019s current roster is at the left guard position. If the Steelers can address this position in some capacity, including potential trades, the Steelers can go into the 2026 NFL Draft with Best Player Available (BPA). A lot of teams talk about the BPA approach, but team needs remaining drag BPA into the late rounds of the selection process. If the Steelers get a player capable of starting at left guard, a player like Nate Herbig was when he was signed, the team will be set for the draft in April.<\/p>\n
Maxx Crosby situation<\/p>\n
The Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders situation with Maxx Crosby was dirty. Some might even say it was \u201cbush league\u201d. However, it was not against the rules. As disturbing as it was to see play out in such a high profile way. When the team signed Trey Hendrickson less than 24 hours after backing out of the Crosby trade, it made it even worse.<\/p>\n
Not illegal, but bush league.<\/p>\n
Can the NFLPA or NFL step in and do something? Considering the Ravens didn\u2019t do anything technically wrong, the answer is no. However, in the court of public opinion, the Ravens organization hasn\u2019t been this low since Ray Lewis was on trial\u2026and I\u2019m not getting into that right now.<\/p>\n
Weren\u2019t players supposed to not want to come to Pittsburgh without Tomlin?<\/p>\n
There were a lot of fans who hated the Mike McCarthy hire so much they were willing to create whatever narrative they wanted to make fans think the team wouldn\u2019t be the same.<\/p>\n
My favorite was how no free agents would ever want to come to Pittsburgh without Mike Tomlin. After all, the NFLPA Report Cards show how much players loved Tomlin.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not debating that last sentence, but what so many fans forget is why 99% of free agents will choose a location.<\/p>\n
Money.<\/p>\n
The only time something like a head coach, team facility, or what temperate zone the team plays their home games is if the two deals were identical. And if we are going to play that game, one of the teams would probably up their deal in some way to make their team more enticing. Either way, all these players are choosing the Steelers, without Mike Tomlin\u2026shocking.<\/p>\n
SCN 2026 NFL Draft Party<\/p>\n
Check out the article which has the full details of the SCN NFL Draft party coming up in Maryland for Days 1 and 2 of the draft!<\/p>\n
Check out the details HERE<\/a>!!<\/p>\n Check out the latest \u201cLet\u2019s Ride\u201d podcast in the player below:<\/p>\n