The Pittsburgh Steelers organization and the word 'rebuild' are not closely associated very often. In 2022, with former franchise Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retired, and a mix of Mitch Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett in his place, the word is surfacing in more conversations from inside and outside the organization.
Bill Nunn Award-winning retired writer for The Athletic and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Ed Bouchette joined the PM Team with Poni and Mueller to chat about his views of the team in his role as a now, self-proclaimed, "Steelers outsider." When asked by show co-host Andrew Filliponi about what might bother team President Art Rooney II about how things have transpired this season, Bouchette said the head of the organization should understand the team is in a rebuilding mode.
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 27, 2015: Team owner Art Rooney II of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks out of the tunnel prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 27, 2015, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by: 2015 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
While Steeler Nation breaks down the minuscule possibility of a Wild Card spot this season, he said expectations shouldn't even be for the team to be in the postseason next year as they continue to work through transitional periods at quarterback and on the offensive line.
"It's ridiculous to even talk about playoffs at this point," Bouchette said on the show about the chatter over the impacts of the team's win over the Carolina Panthers. "I don’t think they’ll turn into a playoff team next year. They have some rebuilding to do. It's going to take a while."
He detailed that the football team doesn't seem to have enough strength in enough positions to really be a true competitor. He pointed to Tight End Pat Friermuth as a strong point on the roster but said there are questions at almost every position. And even though he likes Najee Harris, the run game hasn't been great, he remarked. The defensive line is aging and lacks depth. They don't have any special cornerbacks and they're all just "guys." Even the punter hasn't been good, Bouchette complained.
Steelers QB Situations: Past, Present and Future
Bouchette has seen a lot of different guys under center in his nearly 50 years covering the team. He said whenever they have gone back and forth between signal callers, it's almost always been a mess.
"If you don't have a franchise quarterback that's the stuff that happens, one guy plays well and you go 'maybe I should stick with him, I've got to win,'" he said of Coaches Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher's flip flopping of quarterbacks without Terry Bradshaw or Roethlisberger. "He (Mike Tomlin) has made the commitment with Pickett, I'd stick with him. Ride out the season with Pickett and go from there."
Longtime Steelers Insider, Ed Bouchette thinks Pickett is good enough to win in today's game / Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
As for what he's seen from the Steelers' 20th overall selection back in April, he said the 24-year-old is showing signs of improvement each week in his young NFL career.
"I think he runs a little too quickly to take off, but on the other hand, he's made some good decisions running the ball," he said. "His arm is not strong, Mitch has a stronger arm, but you don't need to have a rifle arm to make it in this league, Tom Brady has shown that. He doesn't have the greatest line or receivers but he's shown he's good enough to be the guy for the rest of this year and next."
Head Coach Mike Tomlin / Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Steelers
Tomlin's streak of winning seasons has kept the Steelers from drafting in the upper echelon in recent history and when they have picked near the top it's only been via trade. If this team is going to do some real rebuilding and get talent that can help them next year, especially on the offensive line according to Bouchette, they need to fall further down the standings and be in a position to get those impact guys, before they're gone.
So, Steeler Nation, what do you think about Bouchette's comments? Are the playoffs off the table in 2023? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
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