Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Thursday.
The Kickoff
Jonnu we hardly knew ye… After just one season Jonnu Smith, acquired in the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade, was released by the Steelers. The tight end was coming off a career year in 2024 and was expected to thrive in Arthur Smith’s offense with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. His catch total dropped by 50 and his yardage by roughly 600. The release will save the Steelers about seven million against the cap while adding roughly four million in dead money. Despite a new coaching staff which some may have seen as an opportunity for a second chance for Smith, it wasn’t to be. The move leaves the Steelers with Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington as the main two tight ends with Connor Heyward serving as more of an H-back than actual tight end. What does this mean for the draft? My initial thought is very little but I can see the Steelers now being slightly more interested in the position come April.
Rodgers
The mercurial Aaron Rodgers spent about 90 minutes on “The Pat McAfee Show” yesterday and made something very clear to me at least. There is no deadline for his return and I think the possibility of another June decision just got more likely. Rodgers said that he has spoken with both Mike McCarthy and Omar Khan but was clear that an offer hasn’t been made. This contradicts slightly what Khan said at the Combine. While he didn’t state there was a “deadline” for Rodgers to decide he did say that he didn’t expect things to drag out as they did last year. The fact the organization may again be held hostage by a 42-year old QB is ridiculous. It speaks far worse about the Steelers than it does Rodgers. I do know that much.
Truth
Mini-Murray
Ask yourself this question; do you truly believe the Steelers will be a playoff team in 2026 if Rodgers is the QB? What about Kyler Murray? The diminutive QB will be a free agent next week and could easily sign for the veteran minimum. I’m not a fan of his but I also wouldn’t mind another year of low QB payments while perhaps finishing with a poor enough record to actually draft a QB of the future. During this same time, Khan could build elsewhere on the team. I don’t want to see the Steelers lose but I also don’t want to continue this nearly decade long pattern of playoff futility either. “Rebuilding” doesn’t have to be a multiple year endeavor like it used to be. Just ask the Patriots and Seahawks.
The Inside Blitz
I shared my thoughts last night on all things “Steelers” in my latest short-form podcast the Inside Blitz. I discussed Rodgers of course and a few other things too. Our regular show airs tonight at 10pmET! Please subscribe!
Random Reads
Myles Garrett received his ninth speeding ticket since 2017 this past weekend. At some point you’d think he’d get the message… Makai Lemon on the field is the real deal but everything I’m hearing about his meetings and demeanor at the Combine is less than ideal. I’m curious to see what comes from his Pro Day… I have to believe that with Smith no longer in Pittsburgh there will be a re-commitment to Pat Freiermuth. What that looks like? I honestly don’t know… I will not be surprised at all if the Steelers swing a trade for a QB before the Draft. I’m not saying it will happen. I’m just saying it won’t surprise me if they do… With Lou Holtz passing away yesterday I was wondering something. Was he one of the last coaches who could really get away with the type of discipline that today would be considered wildly inappropriate? Holtz was never shy about grabbing a player by the face mask or dressing a player down on the sidelines. Not much of that these days…
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