There is nothing quite like a little vacation. A time to get away from the office, or in this case, the field. It’s a time to relax and reflect, to plan ahead and look forward. In the National Football League, it’s called a bye week. For the players, they will in fact be able to get away for a few days. For the front office and the coaching staff, no such time off exists. What exactly will Mike Tomlin be doing over this next week? I have a pretty good idea of what he and Omar Khan should be doing but whether they accomplish my “to-do” list or not depends on them.
Fire Matt Canada
OK, this isn’t going to happen but I can dream, you can dream and we all can dream can’t we?? If this were actually going to have happened I tend to believe it would have already occurred. So let’s just move on to the next one.
Shop for a Center
After a season that saw him be somewhat serviceable, Mason Cole has become a liability. His struggles to anchor the interior in both pass protection and in the running game have led both areas to lack consistency.
With three weeks left until the trade deadline, is Omar Khan willing to make a move? Is there a guy out there that could possibly be an upgrade? Maybe for a mid-round draft pick? I don’t think it will happen but that doesn’t mean the Steelers shouldn’t kick some tires and make some calls.
Cut Gunner
Sometimes things just don’t work out. Gunner Olszewski’s time in Pittsburgh has been nothing short of a nightmare. In fact, when Freddy Krueger falls asleep he sees Gunner in his dreams. It all started with that punt return fumble against his former team, the Patriots in 2022.
Poor blocking and ‘being nothing more than a body’ on offense was a segue into this season where he was concussed on a play in which he fumbled. With his return needed last Sunday because Calvin Austin III was getting medical attention, Olszewski fumbled yet again. Do right by him and do right by the organization. It’s time to part ways.
Turn to JPJ
Let’s take away Joey Porter, Jr’s interception on Sunday and let’s instead just focus on the fact that Levi Wallace and Patrick Peterson are struggling. JPJ needs an opportunity to show what he can do in situations that aren’t just dime packages or near the end zone.
There will be ups and downs – the position itself is a roller coaster – but he needs an opportunity. Personally I’d play him in favor of Wallace right now but I also understand JPJ might not be totally prepared. If that’s why he’s not getting more action then OK but I have a hard time believing that.
Make the Switch
If the second half on Sunday didn’t prove it then I don’t know what it will take to convince Mike Tomlin that Jaylen Warren needs to be “the guy” right now. That doesn’t mean Najee Harris won’t get carries or snaps but come on.
Warren is more of a threat right now and it isn’t even close. His burst and balance is without question better than Harris’ is. He’s also more of a threat as a receiver too and I guarantee defenses are more worried about him than they are Harris. Tomlin is incredibly loyal to his starters and to his top round draft picks but he knows you have to put team success ahead of anything else.
