Pickens is gone and the Steelers don’t have a solidified quarterback in the middle of May, the 2025 season is ruined. Or is it?
I want to preface this by saying: this Steelers team will not be the worst team in the league come December. We all have grown accustomed to the yearly winning season with Mike Tomlin at head coach. For better or for worse, the Steelers will not be dead last in the league, or even their division. Some fans don’t want that to be the case and want the Steelers to be the worst team in the league for an early pick in the 2026 Draft. Being dead in the water is not the only way the Steelers will be able to draft earlier considering their draft capital in 2026. They currently have an arsenal ready to deal with other teams to move up in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, there are a few areas I want to take a glimpse at.
Losing Pickens
No, this is not the end of the world. But according to Steelers twitter it means the Steelers got fleeced and robbed. That is far from the truth. As stated in our article concerning the comments made by Pickens after being traded: “They moved on because he routinely missed meetings, refused to block at times and often gave as much effort as a rock holding a door open.” This is not a player you want on a team that is evidently in a “rebuilding” process. He is a headcase and the Pittsburgh Steelers know how to handle players like that.
Sure he makes flashy plays we can only dream of making, but Pickens was not a leader or frankly mature. Does losing his skill hurt? Yes. But the Steelers have the likes of D.K. Metcalf and a locker room full of eager young receivers ready to prove themselves.
No Quarterback… STILL
We are halfway through May and the Steelers do not have a certain, elite starting quarterback. That is certainly not ideal. Luckily, you don’t need an elite level quarterback to get you seven or eight wins. If the Steelers were to go into the 2025 NFL season with the quarterback room looking how it does now, they will be in the range of seven to eight wins (possibly sneaking into the playoffs knowing the Steelers). This is realistic. Fans want to hope for a losing season to get that franchise quarterback in the 2026 Draft, this isn’t happening to the Pittsburgh Steelers under Mike Tomlin. Call it amazing coaching or voodoo magic, the Steelers again won’t have a 2025 losing season.
Young and Talented roster
From top to bottom this roster is as hungry as ever. From the likes of Roc Taylor who has stated he would “run all day” to make the team to a rookie brick wall in Derrick Harmon, the roster is jam packed with guys who WANT TO play in Pittsburgh. The Steelers had a decent 2025 Draft when looking at the future. They have guys who will make immediate impacts and guys who will develop well at the professional level. No, this roster will not win the Super Bowl this year, but it will show promise and determination heading into seasons that follow.
Everything will be OK
It’s not the end of the world losing Pickens, and the Steelers will not be the worst team in the 2025 season. This isn’t being sunshine and rainbows, this is being real. Mike Tomlin will get his winning season, securing his job for another five or six years. The Steelers will be middle to end range of the pack in the conclusion of the season, but will not draft as late as they did in the 2025 Draft. This is a bridge year for the Steelers, and we should all look forward to an excellent quarterback class in the 2026 Draft, it could very well consist of the Steelers next franchise quarterback.
