PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers somehow did what was unthinkable just a couple of weeks ago and qualified for the playoffs. But we all know that by now. We also know how and why.
With the Steelers traveling to face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon for a wild-card playoff game, there’s probably no better time to open up the good old mailbag and answer some questions (hint: a lot were about Mason Rudolph and Mike Tomlin)
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Since you are so interested, let’s talk about it. You have questions and I have answers — that’s how this thing works.
(Note: Some questions have been edited for clarity and length.)
If Mason Rudolph wins the franchise’s first playoff game since 2016, how could they possibly let him walk in free agency and turn back to Kenny Pickett? — Hunter L.
That’s an easy one: Because Rudolph might not want to come back. He might get offered more money or have a better opportunity elsewhere. There is a way around this, which is to offer him a contract he can’t refuse before free agency even opens. But even then, why would Rudolph agree to that? He will be able to really test his market value for the first time.
The tricky part is that maybe his market value isn’t something he wants to see. I have believed in Rudolph for years, but I have certainly been in the minority. I understand that other teams might be more skeptical than the Steelers after this three-game sample size. I will say this: If the Steelers want Rudolph, they can keep him.
Is there any “short leash” scenario with Rudolph in Round 1 of the playoffs? — Shaun L.
Absolutely not. Tomlin doesn’t approach his quarterbacks like that, regardless of this being a sudden-death game. It’s Rudolph’s game from start to finish. Plus, do you want Pickett, who hasn’t played in more than two months, to come in cold off the bench? I wouldn’t.
Do you think the Steelers will hire an offensive coordinator who doesn’t want Pickett as the starting QB? — Michael S.
I think there will be some candidates out there who would only take the job if Pickett wasn’t the starter. If that’s the case, then the Steelers wouldn’t hire them. Like it or not, Pickett is going to be a part of this team for the next two years and could very well be inserted back into the starting lineup next year, so the new OC had better like what he’s seen out of KP.
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Should we expect the Steelers to bring competition at the QB position through the draft or free agency next season? — Abraham D.
It all is going to hinge on what Rudolph does. If Rudolph leaves as a free agent, then yes, they have to bring in somebody, but I can’t see it being competition for Pickett as the starter. I’m telling you: Pickett is going to get every benefit of the doubt as a first-round pick and probably should. Where the Steelers screwed up was by bringing back Matt Canada in January, starting what has snowballed into the belief that Pickett is a bust.
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If the Steelers have a QB competition next season, will it be open and fair? — Grace C.
You would hope it would. But what has happened over the past few years might not suggest that would be the case.
Have you heard anything regarding rumors of Mike Tomlin potentially stepping away after this season? — Michael M.
Interesting that this comes to light now, with Tomlin having one year remaining on his contract. ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggested Sunday that Tomlin “could decide eventually to take some time off.” Tomlin’s buddy, Fox’s Jay Glazer, said Sunday that it will be Tomlin’s choice as to whether he comes back to the Steelers. Both reporters said Tomlin would not be fired.
Tomlin isn’t the highest-paid coach in the league and probably should be near the top. This is how I read this: He wants to stay with the Steelers but is trying to gain some leverage to get paid more. Nothing in my mind and bones believes that Tomlin wants to step away from the team just like Sean Payton did a couple of years ago with the Saints. No way. Never. Not happening.
I know Tomlin is not leaving. But, let’s play a game where Glazer and Schefter’s reports are correct and he could consider stepping away. Who do you think would be on the short list to replace Tomlin? — Anthony C.
You are right, Tomlin isn’t leaving. But I will play this game. First, I think it would be extremely difficult right now to even put a name on that list, but I will give you who I’d like to see get a shot: Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. I know fans don’t want a defensive-minded coach, but I think Glenn is special. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has to be on that short list. Texans OC Bobby Slowik would be interesting, too. Too bad none of this is going to happen.
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Is there any chance the Steelers fire DC Teryl Austin or STC Danny Smith? Any chance the OC is an outsider with head coach experience like Todd Haley? — Ryan B.
Austin isn’t going anywhere. The only way Smith goes is if he decides to retire, and I’m not sure he’s there yet. There will be minimal staff changes after the season, but the heavy lifting will be at offensive coordinator. They will bring in a new guy regardless of whether Eddie Faulkner leads them to the Super Bowl, and Art Rooney II will have a big say in who that might be. No, head-coaching experience wouldn’t be a must.
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What are the chances that Najee Harris’ fifth-year option is picked up? — Justin C.
I’ve said for a while now, that the Steelers not only should but will pick up Harris’ option. These last three games have changed a lot of people’s minds on the outside. The bottom line is that his option is cheap. According to Over the Cap, it will cost them $6.7 million. That’s basically what center Mason Cole makes.
Do you think Nick Herbig can step up against Buffalo? — Craig B.
Yes and no. Herbig has the pass rushing moves to create havoc. We’ve seen that in camp, the preseason and, at times, during the regular season. But it’s going to have to be a Herbig/Markus Golden mix to replace T.J. Watt, and I believe that’s how they will approach it until Watt gets back.
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Is it crazy to think while Watt is out, it shouldn’t too greatly affect the defense overall with Golden and Herbig around this year? — Mark W.
Read what you just wrote there, Mark. T.J. Watt is the best defensive player in the league, and the Steelers are 1-10 all-time without him. It’s going to affect the defense. Greatly.
The Bills are rightfully heavy favorites. How can the Steelers maximize their chances of winning in Buffalo? — Sally L.
It’s really simple: Keep doing what you’ve been doing. They need to pound the ball in the run game, own the time of possession and hit some plays down the field. On defense, they have to pressure Josh Allen into bad throws, which he tends to make from time to time. It’s that simple of a plan. The execution is the stickler.
Will Sunday afternoon (or whenever the Steelers finally lose) be Cameron Heyward’s last game? — Jan M.
No. I can see him being extended before I can see him being released. I admit, he’s struggled this year, but a lot of that has to do with his injury and subsequent recovery from surgery. Heyward loves this game too much to quit now, and no way in hell are the Steelers cutting a player who has meant so much to them over the years. Rooney would rather eat that salary than cut him.
Are the Steelers getting the most out of Minkah Fitzpatrick? Their scheme seems like it limits his playmaking ability. — Michael W.
Not this year, but with him missing so much of the season with injuries and being needed in other places when he was healthy, it’s hard to evaluate how the coaching staff used him. They put him where they needed him most. That wasn’t always in the best place for him to make plays, I get it, but you have to do things you don’t want to do just to get through the year.
What are GM Omar Khan’s top five priorities at the end of the regular season? — Sarthak J.
We are going there already? OK. In no particular order: Continue to bolster the offensive line, especially through the draft. Try to re-sign Rudolph. Sign Bengals wideout Tyler Boyd in free agency. Extend tight end Pat Freiermuth. How’s that for being specific?
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From last year’s draft to now, what do you think was the biggest mistake the team made? — Al D.
Tomlin playing Mitch Trubisky in that Colts game. Not starting Joey Porter Jr. until a month into the season is a close second, followed by bringing back Canada in January last year.
(Photo of Mason Rudolph: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
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