Steelers Make First Roster Move | Paying for Top WR?

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1:14Thank you so much for traveling on to another episode of All Steelers Talk. I'm no strike fine. Join always by my main man, Jacob Puntary, find us on youtube.com slash All Steelers Talk checks out anywhere you get your podcasts, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a move last night that I think a lot of people were very excited for the beginning of more. We'll dive into it plus one wide receiver trade took over the NFL news cycle today and told the Pittsburgh Steelers maybe something they didn't want to hear heading into free agency. We're diving into that. Plus more. It's a beautiful one here in the bird, even if it's a little rainy. It is warm, which is so nice. I feel my friend. Hopefully you're not sweating because I've been sweating all day and I've been thinking about all my sweaters out there. I appreciate it and likewise, yeah, I mean, listen, it's a it's a very difficult world we

2:15live in as you know, hyper sweaty people, you know, as soon as it gets nice, you enjoy it. And thought is, oh, man, do I have to go a second layer or do I go one layer or the pits about to stain, but no, no, no, let's just enjoy it while we can. Let's just enjoy it while we can doing great. Plenty of great Steelers news and updates to talk about today and the weather is slowly getting better. So, you know, I'm trying not to complain and just enjoying the accumulation of sweat. I am. What's up with the new layout here? What's going on? Background. Why does it look also weird? All of those listening, it says new studio coming soon. We got some stuff in the works here that my pop off here rather soon. And well, I had to make some changes to the office in the meantime. So I'm excited for it. I want to give a shout out to our members and to our superchatters. As always, let's talk some Pittsburgh Steelers football here, my friend. Last night, shortly after me and you got off this podcast in what would have turned out

3:16to potentially be like a two, three, six hour podcast somewhere in that realm, whenever the laughter ended and then the joy subsided at some point, we actually spoke about the news. John Smith was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers ending what? I think many feel is Omar Khan's worst move as a general manager or one of the worst moves as a general manager, ending a one year run at tight end, saying, past firemuth is the guy giving a big nod to Darnell Washington. And I would imagine it means Connor Hayward's coming back to at least that's what I've been here and over the last week or so. What was your thoughts on John who getting cut yesterday outside of, you know, smiling and feeling happy for past firemuth? You know, I have to admit is easy as John who Smith was to cover, you know, and this

4:17is not any sort of slight against John who smith the person, but it was just an instant sigh of relief. Like let's face it, the John who Smith experiment simply did not work out with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I understood the intention a year ago. I applauded the decision at the time by Omar Khan. For whatever reason we can go into it or we can cast blame, it just was not a fit on either side, aside from the fact that former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was just infatuated with him. So I think it was a necessary move. I did not like the contract. It's not like they needed cat flexibility or any further assistance getting there as we already have talked about ad nauseam, but still this was just a player who did not factor into 2026. So I was immediately excited. I'm glad that they've made some necessary moves that maybe you're not the easiest to do. You hate to cut a player, especially a veteran who you know has accomplished something in the NFL, but this is the really hard business part of the NFL.

5:20I'm glad that they're starting this new new league year with a clean slate and they are going about roster construction in the same way. Yeah, I very much so agree. I got to ask a question here because it's in the chat. Am I super choppy still? Am I looking better? I didn't realize. You look a lot better now. Yeah, the first couple of minutes, you were looking like, you know, just a lower, a lower quality version of yourself, but now you sound better. Okay, good. Sound better. Look good. We're good to go. We're here. Ready to go. Nobody even saw the cool sign. Now I can see the cool side. I could not. And when we started. What? I just looked like a weirdo just moving around for no reason. Fantastic. We all thought you were doing a McKay lemon impression at all times. I'd say I'm in rock. Brown. Half-friar me to me right now becomes the most valuable player on the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. A guy that I look at I've pounded the table for half-friar me for years and two teams.

6:29The prime time stage is set for the TGL presented by SoFi finals Los Angeles Golf Club versus Tigers Jupiter links. Keep up. It's playoffs. Tune in Monday, March 23rd, 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN 2 and Tuesday, March 24th, 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN and on the ESPN app. Now with the Home Depot, receive 12 months special financing and free basic installation on carpet projects with life proof, life proof with petproof technology, home decorators collection and traffic master carpets. Bring a new look to your floors or give them a durable surface that stands up to life's tough messes. Get 12 months special financing on installed carpet projects right now at the Home Depot. Offer valid March 12th or March 29th, 2026, exclusions and additional charges may apply for licenses, see Home Depot.com slash license numbers. I think this is the first opportunity is actually going to get to prove it. I think this is the first opportunity that the Pittsburgh Steelers are actually giving their tight end to say, how good can you be? They paid him like he was a top 10 tight end.

7:29I think he's productive enough to be a top 10 tight end and maybe even top five, if you actually give him an opportunity, I think it's, I think he's got the talent. I don't think he's ever gotten the opportunity. Let me ask at the same time though, Darnell, does it change your mind at all about an extension there this off season? I think it creates more of a possibility for it. I think I said this before, but I don't anticipate him getting an extension before the 2026 season, but now you have, I think it's what an additional $7 million in salary cap space that they freed up by releasing John who Smith. I would have projected and I, I, I projected that he is going, Darnell Washington is going to sign an extension whenever that time comes of about $8 million average annual value. So you kind of just opened up the exact amount of money you needed. So that's why I say you have to at least acknowledge the possibility that something is increasing. The likelihood has increased.

8:31That being said, I just feel like John who's, or I'm sorry, Darnell Washington is just further down the list of priorities, Joey Porter, Jr. and Nick Herbig, Darnell Washington's probably third at that point. So if he wants to do a deal for $7 million a year, just absolutely take up that space you just created. I think you do some tidy work and you assign to that extension, but if he's in the mood to negotiate, he just got to kind of leave it for now. Do you feel that way? No, no, I think it's the same kind of the same, I think I have the same mindset. I look at Darnell Washington right now is like, yeah, we'll call you in and see what's up and then kind of go from there. If his price tag is outrageous, I think you know you're in advance, but I, I kind of look at it when it comes to Darnell as the Steelers, if they negotiate with Darnell Washington this off season, either get the result of he's staying or the result of he's leaving no matter what. Like if the Steelers open that bag of worms, it kind of gets shut at the same time one way or another because if they're out of his price range or if he's out of their price range right now, it's only going to get worse next year.

9:33If you're going to get a deal done, it's going to get cheap and it's going to be this year. I hope Darnell stays. I think him and Pat developing for the next three years is what the Steelers should have been doing for the last two years. They just haven't had anybody around it. I also look at it. You go to the quarterback situation and you have an opportunity, like I keep saying, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have an opportunity to whoever their quarterback ends up being in 2027. They have an offense ready for them. You two tight ends that are very reliable. Hopefully you have at least three wide receivers that you can count on, two running backs that you can count on and an offensive line that's pretty good and most of them are young. To me, like, I wouldn't be upset about it because, and I don't think anybody else would either, but I wouldn't be upset about it because I look at it going. This sets the Steelers offense up to not have to worry about things for three years, just about three years, at least with a new quarterback coming in. I feel like that's not bad.

10:33Again, not first on the priority list. I agree with you on the levels here, but if they get there, I wouldn't be upset about it at all. There's always, you know, this conversation whenever a new quarterback comes into of like, who's that those security blanket, who are those trusted receiving options? You do have that built in already, and I want to be perfectly clear. I think they should keep Darnel Washington beyond the 2026 season. And I think now it just cleared, like John Newsmith being gone, just did the positional locker room or the positional room a favor because now you know Pat Fryermuth is the top receiving target. Darnel Washington is going to continue to do his thing and maybe take on slightly more passing volume. And there you go. That's a great route forward for your tight end position. I think that is the way everyone wanted them to go last year, and they're glad to see them doing it in 2026. So I'm great with that. I want to see this duo continue, but yeah, like we've mentioned, lower on the priority list in terms of getting that extension done. I agree. But John Newsmith end up at Ohio State somehow. Yeah, I think he's got a year of eligibility left, right?

11:35Better question. Wherever John who ends up, Disarthors Smith end up there the next year. That's the. Oh. Right now, now maybe I can't leave my, I can't leave my little guy alone. I got to go. I got to go get him. I got a little guy left to Atlanta. Shout out to John Newsmith, man, John who was he is an impeccable person, easy to talk to, super nice, super welcoming, a leader in the locker room, all good things to say about John Newsmith was not a fit in Pittsburgh, all Arthur Smith and Mike Tomlin's fault, no blame to John. Shout out to that. Shout out to Puffer. Let's talk wide receiver here. DJ Moore got traded today for a second round pick. And I will start the conversation off very simply and straight forward, Brian Thomas Jr. now goes for a first or at least a first and more. I don't think there's any debate about it. If you were calling the Jacksonville Jaguars and you are offering a second round pick for Brian Thomas Jr., they are telling you to go check the guy who just had worse stats

12:38over the last two years and a six years older, who just got traded for a second round pick. Am I wrong? You feel different? So good, so good, so good. Spring styles are at Nordstrom Rack stores now and they're up to 60% off stock up and safe on Ragnbonne made well, Vince, All Saints and more of your favorites. How did I not know Rack has a deed as? Why do we rock for the hottest still? There's so many good brands. Join the Nordy Club to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first and more, plus buy online and pick up at your favorite Rack store for free. Great brands, great prices, that's why you rack. Protein is now at Starbucks and it's never tasted so good. You can add protein, cold foam to your favorite drink or try one of our new protein lattes or matcha. Try it today at Starbucks. You know, I wish I could say I have a great argument as to why you are wrong, but man,

13:39it's hard to say so. I mean, it just, it seems like the price for Brian Thomas Jr. and AJ Brown, like, has to be a first round pick at this point. And man, I think that is just way too steep, but I understand the Buffalo Bills are in a very different position from the Pittsburgh Steelers, right? Like you have your franchise quarterback, he just needs the right pieces around him. Like, I don't criticize Buffalo for being aggressive and going out and spending a second round pick to get that player. I just think that is just such a woeful overpayment for what you are getting production wise. And a player who's just, frankly, has not been the same since he arrived in Chicago. And now you have set this market for the rest of the NFL where, like again, a first round pick is not a good trade value for Brian Thomas Jr. If I haven't, you know, a first round pick for a guy like AJ Brown is not good trade value if you are the team acquiring him.

14:39And so I think if you are going to now push the market this way, the Steelers need to just be very careful. And it just, to me, should point them even more in favor of pursuing upgrades through the draft and pursuing very minor upgrades, depth additions through free agency. Because we talked about Brian Thomas Jr. a ton. I love him. He's young. He's under control for a couple more years contractually. I imagine he can get back to his 1000 yard form in the right situation. A first round pick for an organization like Pittsburgh where they really have a lot of building to do is way more valuable and important to hang on to than a team like the Buffalo Bills, for example, who maybe they can afford to be aggressive and a little flimsy with their early picks because they're probably going to be an agency championship if all things go their way. I agree. I'm very much so great. So I got to also ask, did you see the camera freak out? What's going on with me today? I blame you. I don't know. I blame the lady in Subaru for you guys don't know the story.

15:41But before this, I want to go get a coffee, got stuck in traffic because some old lady in a Subaru. I hate it. I hate it. I freaked out and then I was further back, but I think hopefully that fixed it still looking good over here. Sounding good, looking good. Yeah. Yeah, I haven't. I haven't noticed any audio interruptions, so you know, knock on wood. I'm glad. I'm glad. I'm glad. Let me toss. Because I agree with everything that you say. I don't disagree with everything that you said, but I have a hypothetical that I am curious your thoughts on. The Steelers are on the clock at 21, okay? Allegedly. Allegedly. Denzel or Mackay Lemon? Nope. Gone. Back. You're kind of coming in and out the audio, stay in good. Crazy. Um, the Mackay Lemon, Carnell Tate, Jordan Tyson, all off the board.

16:51Denzel Boston's the only guy there. Would you consider calling the Jaguars and giving them 21 if you knew it was just 21 straight for Brian Thomas Jr.? No, I wouldn't do that. I would take Denzel Boston, and I don't think that's even a tough choice, in my opinion. I think take Denzel Boston off the board as well. I would not trade the 21st overall pick straight up for Brian Thomas Jr. Not because I truly believe in Casey Concepcion, so much more than Brian Thomas Jr., but just because I think you can get a really good player at 21 outside of the wide receiver position that is more important, again, as I emphasized a moment ago, for a team that is trying to build in many positions, it's important for a team like the Steelers to hang on to that rather than to expend that first round pick for a player like Brian Thomas Jr., because what if, what if you do that, you bring in Brian Thomas Jr., and he's still a 700 yard

17:51receiver? I agree with that one. I don't want to waste a group down. I agree. Well, what if you bring in, and this is just playing Devils Advocate, what if you bring in Denzel Boston and he's at best to juju smith's choooster? You get five years of it, you know, it's five years of juju smith's choooster worth. America leads the world in medicine development. It matters. We get new medicines first, nearly three years faster, five million Americans go to work because we make medicines here at home, and not relying on other countries keeps us safe. But China is racing to overtake us. Will we let them, or will we choose to stay ahead? When America leads, America cures. Let's tell Washington to keep us in the lead. Learn how at AmericaCures.com, paid for by Farma. The risk of a Brian Thomas, yeah, yeah, I like Denzel Boston Jr., yeah, unless you pass on Brian Thomas Jr., and he is perennially, perennially a 1,000 yard receiver throughout the

18:56day. You know, relative to this wide receiver, you get a 21 who puts up 700 yard seasons in comparison. Then yeah, it's obviously not a good deal. But, you know, I think you got to take the chance on your own guys, your ability to evaluate talent. You brought, like, this is the whole thing, you know, that they brought in this whole new staff that's so good at offense, right? They know how to mold quarter, but you could, you could bring in your cousin who played flag football and Mike McCarthy can make him a start in quarterback, you know what I mean? So like that. I've heard things. Why can't they do that? I agree. I don't disagree. I don't disagree. I think Denzel would, Denzel would end my list, I think, I think Casey concept she on and Omar Cooper Jr., I'd be calling the Jaguars, Denzel Boston, I think would be on that list. I've heard concerns about Denzel over the last couple of days that I don't, I'm trying not to follow. Okay? You were like, nah, I wish you showed a little bit more speed. And I was like, yeah, don't we all hear, pal?

19:58Don't we all? I know, I know. I'm trying. I know. And you can, and I don't mean this to like specifically sway you away from whatever feelings and conclusions you come to. Like I respect whatever evaluation you put on these players, man, but like we get into, we do this every year with wide receivers who are just so good, we get to nitpicky. And it's like, man, like, yeah, sure, I would love it if Denzel Boston ran a 4-3. You think that guy doesn't have breakaway speed watching play, you know what I mean? He does. You know what I mean? So like, I'm not, I just take the player, take the player. I don't disagree, I don't disagree. I want to go through some names, but I'm still freezing here. So I'm going to let you occupy the show here for six seconds as I back out and come back in and hope this fixes the camera. So. Okay. That sounds great. Let's, let me, let me tell you why it's, here's the thing, Denzel Boston is old.

21:03Now this is, I'm going to try to get my nose completely in the middle here. Denzel Boston is a player that is going to be a number one wide receiver. I don't understand why there is this weird misconception that good wide receivers in college, great wide receivers in college, might I add, have to be exceptional or perfect in every single way in order to maintain that. Oh, look at that in order to maintain that at the NFL level. If there's one piece of a player that's a little bit underdeveloped, but he's so well developed in every other area, that is plenty to work with at the NFL level, especially if you have competent coaching and staff around him. I'll kick it back to Noah here if he's ho, let's see how the connections working, but don't buy this drama on first round picks. Noah, give me like three movements. Oh, you see, you're moving? Who's sweating over here? 40 times will sub five.

22:04My 40 time would be about an eight. Um, okay. So I, I think I know what you were just talking about and I'll, I'll kind of fire back at it because I have a different outlook on it, honestly. I think the, the wide receiver position is the, is the, the most likely position to fail drafted in the first round statistically. And I think that's why people get so nitpicky is because so many of them turn out to suck. And you're just like, okay, awesome. And it's like, it's tough because it's, it's almost never the guy that you, that you know is going to be great. You know, it's never like, like, carnal tates, not going to suck. It's, it's not even more likely agree, yeah, yeah, yeah, um, it's the, it's the Omar Cooper Jr. You know what I mean? Is he a Jalen Rager or is he a lad Maconkey, you know, like where, where is he? Where does he fall? And I, I think because of that, you get, once you get past those elite guys early, that's why people get parents, that's why I get paranoid at least because for sure, one of

23:05them's not going to be good, at least one of them is going to be just not a good wide receiver. That's just the way things go. Yeah. If you tell me you know, for sure, I'll tell you you're a liar. Yeah. Yeah. I agree. Um, it's looking like we're still lagging. I'm going to be honest. That's 100% stream yard. Nothing to do with me at this point. So I don't know what to do. Um, I apologize, guys, um, all right, all right, I agree with you. Let's, uh, let's, let's move on to other wide receiver news here because we have an exercise that we want to go through. And we are, as we approach next week, I'm very curious where your mind is when it comes to wide receiver. And I'm curious where everybody's mind is because truthfully, the Steelers wide receiver search has kind of been all over the place in terms of what the fans want. Everybody will name 100 wide receivers and say, what about this guy? What about this guy? What about this big trade? And to me, it's more price than it is name when it comes to Pittsburgh.

24:09It's what is your top dollar and who fits in that? Because I don't think everybody's going to. And that's when it gets realistic. So I have a list of the top guys that will be available for the Pittsburgh Steelers, via trade or free agency. I'm curious. If your top, what your top dollar would be or trade value for any of these guys. And we'll start with the name we just talked about. And I won't back. I won't go back at you. I'm just curious. We'll start with the name that we just talked about, Brian Thomas Jr. I would do an exact mirroring of the DJ more deal as the top of my offer. I'd give you two, I'd give you some additional mid-round pick if you give me the Brian Thomas in a seven. And that's the most absolute most I would be willing to trade for him. Okay. Okay. What about the other trade of AJ Brown?

25:11That's the same. That is the same trade without the additional pick going to Philadelphia. I would trade a second round pick only. And we've heard that that's the asking prices is astronomical for AJ Brown. I believe that that is the case, especially after the DJ Mortrait, but I'm not paying it. Second round pick. And that's it. Deal with it, punk. Okay. Okay. Rashid Shaheed, who is expected to be a free agent because him in Seattle cannot agree to terms, which typically means he wants more money than Seattle's willing to offer. I would give him $20 million per season in free agency for, I don't know, three years, Max. Yeah. Yeah. If you can get out of it after two, even better. I like that too. I think I'd max right out. I think that's a very overlooked possibility for the Steelers is Rashid Shaheed is. I would lie.

26:12Yeah. Who's just going to, he's not going to have a huge market value. People will make offers, but they will all be around the same. I think we're going to get to names like Juan Jennings and Juan Dale Robinson and Alex Pierce. And I think that there's potential for all three of those guys to get ridiculous contracts and way over. Remember a couple of years ago when Christian Kirk got a contract, he was the first 20 million dollar guy or like 18 or something when everybody was getting paid 10. Remember when that happened and everybody was like, are you kidding me? The Jaguars paid what for Christian Kirk? I, I, I, I could see it happen in my, I could see it happening. All right. Romeo dobs. The most I would be willing to spend on him would be $14 million. I would not feel comfortable paying him $15 million or more per season. Same amount of time, same length of commitment that I would be willing to give pretty much any of these other top wide receivers, three years, you can get out of it after two even

27:15better. Okay. Okay. Okay. Juan Jennings. I, I'd give Juan Jennings $20 million for one season for one season. I wouldn't want to go long term with Juan Jennings. You just don't know. You just don't know what you're getting, but I would love to pay him for a, I'd pay him a ton for one season. Okay. Okay. Okay. Would you want that? I give the Steelers did that. Would you say that's the good move? If they did that, if they were the first team to sign a wide receiver, Juan Jennings is the guy that gets signed. One year, $20 million. What would your reaction be? I'd be like, great move, great move, they're, they're going to go get somebody in the draft as well. And now you have a wide receiver room that's decaying that calf, Juan Jennings, a first or second round pick wide receiver, Ben Scoronic, and then some other guy who's every, everybody forgets his name, Roman, Roman Wilson, you know, I forgot he existed for a second there. Shout out to the guy.

28:16So we do. Yeah, but I would love that move genuinely. If it's for one year 20, one year 25 million, you get crazy because you have Buku salary calf space. You could just spend and spend and spend, I'd be okay with it for the right amount of a term. Okay. Okay. Juan Dale Robinson. Love him. I'd be willing to spend a little bit more money on him than Romeo Dobbs to be quite honest. I think I would be okay doing a $15 million per year deal for that three year mark. And you're probably asking like, what's the difference between Romeo Dobbs and Juan Dale Robinson? There's not much to be quite honest. I think I just personally like Juan Dale Robinson more. Okay. I would pay, I would pay Juan Dale a Rashiche heed contract. I think Juan Dale's never had a quarterback and I'm very interested to see what he does with a quarterback because shout out to Jackson Dart, but a cut pie of Jackson Dart, Russell Wilson and James Winston, you know, it's a weird tasting pie.

29:20So just taste it. Jackson Darts a winner, man. He is. Literally. He needs his head. Literally. You know, he does. He does. He does. All right. All right. All right. I like that one. I was going to say are two of those guys that you mentioned that could be huge, huge money in this market because I do. I think a lot of other teams had that same opinion of Juan Dale Robinson and Alec Pierce. I know he said that he wants to get a ton of money. I don't think he's going to get quite as much as he might claim, but I would certainly be okay paying him $15 to $20 million somewhere in there. If it was for one year, I'd give him the $20 million because like, the dude just makes catches, right? Like, you can't deny that. Is he game breaking? No. Is he electrifying? No. But like, I bet you he can give you 85 receptions and 900 to 1000 yards in the right situation.

30:22For one year, the money could be fine. Long term contract or a few year contract, the most I would probably be okay giving him his $15 million. Yeah, dude. He's looking for 40. So not happening. I got two more for you here. Mike Evans pass that that minimum that mean what do you think he actually signs for? I think some team will give him something that can make him $10 million, you know, either with incentives or something like that. But I don't know how much you paying a $32, $33,000,000 as accomplished as he is. I have no interest given him any money. If the sealers do, I hope it's for like $5 million max. What about this next guy? Tyree Kill. That's horrible. $3. $3. I would legitimately, let me ask that. Would you sign Mike Evans over Tyree Kill? You have to sign one of them who you sign in Mike Evans.

31:24I would never, I wouldn't touch Tyree Kill with a 40-foot pull. Did Tyree Kill and DK McAf would be fun? 10 years ago, they'd be way more fun, but they would be, they would air hydrogen on the football. This is the 2015, 2020, greatest team on turf, you know, you're winning five Super Bowls eight years ago. I like that one. I like that one. I like that one. Now you're winning eight games. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Yeah. For sure. I got no, I got no car balls here at the end. That was good access. I appreciate that. That's what you get ready for next week. All right. That's everything on our agenda. We're going to take a quick break on the other side of it. We're starting to answer in your questions. It's awesome in the chat. We will be right back. Pittsburgh, this one's for you. From the voices behind all Steelers talk, comes black and gold apparel your go-to for bold, fan-driven merch that reps the city, the Steelers, and everything in between.

32:25Whether you bleed black and gold or just love that Pittsburgh grit, we've got something for you. For more than a podcast, it's a community. And thanks to your support, we're proud to bring the passion from our mics to your closets. Gear up, stand out, and show the world what real fans look like. Shop now at black and gold apparel.myshopify.com. All righty, shout out to our members, shout out to our superchatters, can't thank you guys enough. If you want to become a member, you can do so by clicking the link in the description. Below Steelers, Intel members, still a nugget here and there, and regular AST members get everything else, which is awesome. Appreciate you guys as always, shout out to TJ for becoming the newest member. Make sure to call into the call and show. Make sure to check everything out. I'm thinking about some stuff maybe this weekend, but I will keep you guys posted. I'll keep you guys posted. Kick things off with Michael. What would you give up to move into the top 10?

33:27I would give, let's say Caleb Downs is the guy, he's a say, he's, or somebody crazy, like somebody, you know what I mean, somebody that you just don't, it shouldn't get there and is and you're just going like, all right, you got to go get him. Matt, I have struggled with this so much because like to me, you can't give up next year's first round pick. You can't. You are the Steelers. You give up next year's first round pick. What do you do? Like it's will or die, and that is an awful place to be, is will how are to die? You, I think you need it. So to me, it's like two seconds, I'd give up two seconds, and that's not going to get you there. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I agree with you regarding the 2027 first round pick. I think it is the one to protect above all else, right? It's sort of like, you know, the ring, but I think there is, man, you, you can't get

34:28into the top 10 without an additional first round pick to help get you in there. I don't anticipate the Steelers want to do it or will have the necessary assets. But man, you, you mentioned Caleb down, that's immediately who my mind goes to. Like if you're sitting there and, and, uh, and Kansas City's sitting there at nine, like, do you, do you call them and say, you know, we, and, and finesse of trade, I would think about it. I would kick tires on it. I just don't think you can give up the 2027 first because hopefully that's where your quarterback is. I agree. I agree. He need them. And truthfully, like, I don't feel good about next year's second. If I don't think moving into the top 10 is worth it for the Steelers in any capacity before you get a quarterback, you know, once you have quarterback, do whatever you want, or to go get a quarterback, go for it. For a safety, for safety, no, I'm good, you can't practice, practice, no chance, no chance. Not again. Practice. That's my thing.

35:29I walk through all the time just for inspiration. You just, you just sit there at the kitchen table, just practice, like he just, that's, that's his comfort food. Just shout out. Okay. See, should we trade PQ and sign Bobby, Bobby O that just got released and pair him with Wilson and a rookie, um, oh, I don't actually hate this idea. I really don't hate this idea. Um, I think if you could get some sort of draft for Patrick Queen, I would have no issue trading him. Like that, that's not the concern I have, but the concern I have is how do you, do you have any starter levels, starter level players, excuse me, I can step in, whether that is signing a free agent who has just been released, whether that is drafting somebody, what, you know, where, where it does that, leave the Pittsburgh Steelers if you do trade Patrick Queen. Again, I'm fine with getting rid of them. You can get a third round pick for Patrick Queen, shed that $17 million yo on this year.

36:29Good move. Yeah. What do you do? I, I agree. I, I, if you could get something for him, okay? It, Bobby O is, look, he's 29 years old, so you're losing three years there. And he's just a short term gap, but right now, PQ is, I think it would open a, I think this is a year to just say screw it with PQ, you know, and just say, just ride it out. It's the Jalen Ramsey thing. It's the who can, don't extend them. The Steelers are almost sounded like they were going to extend them. Don't do that. That idea. But you could put them out there and say, who cares? You know what I mean? Like we still $52 million when we're paying PQ, a boat load of money. Like it's really not that big of a deal. It's not a John new situation. It's not a player that your team gets better without this, you have to replace them. And I just don't know if it's worth the, the hassle to just essentially go get a cheaper PQ when you don't need one.

37:31That makes sense. Mm-hmm. My, my biggest question is, how would you pronounce his last name? Arec, Arec, Arecca? Arecci? Yeah. Take it, take it. Or Carrick? Oh. Oh, oh, Carrick. Never mind. I replaced the R on the K. Ireland Carrick would be a great pronunciation for that. I would probably say it's a Kyrchee. That's the same thing, dude. Yeah. the same name. I literally just started typing it in. It was like, I, we're going to figure this out. We're going to, we're going to like Google guests. So we're not going to do that one. Shout out, okay, see you again. Should we go after Tyler Lindenbaum and move him to guard or Zach to guard? And should we pass or should we pass on him, pass on him? Tyler and the bomb is Zach Frazier. They both have tiny arms and probably can't play guard. But they're phenomenal centers. And I just don't, I don't think that it's natural. Not every center could play guard. You know, like Zach Frazier

38:33wouldn't be a good guard. His arms are tiny. He's got a little tiny arms. He's Jason Kelsey. Jason Kelsey couldn't play guard. He looked at the guy little baby arms. You can't do that. Those baby arms will put you through the wall. But you can't play guard. I think Tyler Lindenbaum is the same way. Yeah, I also just think the market for Lindenbaum is going to be dangerous. You know, if the Ravens couldn't get him to stay, like, I imagine he's getting, you know, something close to a three, you know, something that starts with a three or 25 to 30. Like this guy's going to make a ton of money. The Steelers need a left guard. You can get a veteran one on a much more team friendly contract than spending all that money on Tyler, Lindenbaum. Yeah. Yeah. I, I shout out, Tyler and bomb. He's going to get paid. Hey, it hopefully it's not in Baltimore. I saw Tennessee. That's a money chasing move there, brother. But lineman tend to do that. They tend to be like, yeah, I'm just going to get paid.

39:35If I was a lineman, I'd want to go to Nashville too. Bro, if I was, if I was, if I was the greatest player of all time, I'd just be like, how much money can I make? Sounds. I don't have to live in New Jersey. I'm out, brother. See that's later in the sounds. Those would be my only two requirements. And oh, hi. Oh, could you imagine? Could you imagine making $40 million a year and live it in Cincinnati? No, you can't. I grew up in scrant. You don't know where there's no millionaires there because you can't. There's what are you doing? Nothing. Not having a good time at all. Cody Selva, I'll be happy to just get any wide receiver at this point. I agreed with this. I agree with this. It's the Steelers are going to like, there's no, if the Steelers pass on wide receiver this off season, it would, it would be the biggest surprise in since Ben retired. That whole stretch of, you don't know what's coming at all at any moment. This would be the biggest surprise because they have just, they have made it so noticeable that they want wide receivers and that they're chasing wide

40:37receivers. They've done, they've spent no time trying to keep Calvin Austin. They have not done anything at the wide receiver room remotely. They are sitting there with DK, Ben Scorronic and Roman Wilson. And there's no chance that they are sitting there going, you know what? I think that's good. I think that's a good maybe go get Scotty Miller and we'll be, we'll be okay. There would, I, it would be so shocking if they don't address it in a bigger way. Doesn't have to be multiple ways, but either you're making a signing in the off season that people are talking about or you're drafting somebody that people are talking about. One of the two. Hi, I hope so. It would be a, I guess, a very, you know, characteristically Steelers move to smoke screen this hard meeting with 15 freaking wide receivers at the combine, having interest in every single wide receiver that is on the market except for the ones that came out of your locker room. And they just passed that will be the most Steelers crap that we could all imagine.

41:41But I don't think we're going to see that. And if we are, I'll be just as disappointed as everybody else. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Michael, what if we had DK Justin Jefferson and AJ Brown? It'd be a full fist fight in the locker room at some point during season, which would be so much fun to watch. Two of them would get traded by the end of the year. That's what happened. Yeah. How long could that much stop our? No way. Yeah. How long could they coexist? Right? That would be the question on everybody's mind. Like that, it's just too much. You know, you can't have when, when the Avengers get together, someone's got to take, you know, the captains roll. Someone has to stuff up. Not everyone can be in charge. That, you know, that breeds discontentment and eventually, it has to be addressed. I would pay top, top dollar to see that. Oh, wide receivers play for sure. For sure. He said, if you know, my, my grandma had two wheels, she'd be bicycle, you know, so they say, they say different, they say differently,

42:46but that's what they say, you know, you know, yes, yes, yes. Overhead coach Mike Tomman said it very differently. Chris, the colts left the door open for the Steelers to go after Daniel Jones with no certainty that we get a franchise quarterback in 27. Should we go after him? No, no. It's just, it's the Maliquila situation. Why would you, you're going to go pay that much money? Like, and it have to be more, you'd have to pay more than what Indianapolis is paying because you have to entice Daniel Jones to sign with you. It's not, you don't get like free dibs. It's not like, oh, I'll sign them to 40. He's coming to me. Like now, he still has to agree to your contract. So if you call him and say, we'll give you the same thing. The only difference is is that, you know, you have to come learn a new offense and we're going to draft a quarterback in 27. And, you know, like, you're not really guaranteed anything here. He's going to say no. So to me, you're going to have to overpay. It's not worth it. It's a true. People are going to really mad at me for this, really mad at me for

43:46this. But if you're going to pick between a quarterback that's, that's trying to resorge himself, go get the one that's worth $1.7 million in color, Murray. That's the same age as him. It's always about color, Murray with this one. Listen, I think that is, that makes a ton of sense. There, I have no fascination with Daniel Jones. Like, I'm very impressed. I think I'm interested in any sort of, you know, come back story. And the fact that he had such a successful majority of the season prior to injury and Indianapolis. Like, I think that's fantastic for him. There's nothing about that situation that seems to me or about him in that situation that tells me he's going to be, you know, the next version of Sam Darnold leading a team far into the playoffs. I understand if you're willing to take that chance. I understand if maybe you see a little bit more in him than I do or if anyone does. But there's nothing about that that attracts me, especially coming off of such a

44:47gruesome injury, you know, and like that, that, that, the leg injury like that is just it. I know he's here and up. He's going to come back be a hundred percent, but it can just change a player in a very seriously altering way. So I'm not a fan of it. And I wish him luck, wish him health. But I think the Steelers should probably steer clear of him and any sort of future QB discussions. I agree. I think he maxes out like a Baker Mayfield. And I like Baker Mayfield. But I don't think Baker Mayfield is going to go win a Super Bowl in the next couple of years. And I think you could shoot for much higher than Baker Mayfield and pay less. So I like Daniel Jones, like just like you said, he doesn't entice me. He's not on a list for me. If you, if you got Kyler Murray, do you have to pay him or do you have to pay something into like his parents? And then they give it to him. Like, how does that pay any of your work? You just get him the next box and you say, you're getting paid from Arizona and you're totally okay. That's how I was going to say, is it like like with actors like kid actors where like they have put it in like an account where they can't touch it. But when he's old enough, he can

45:49go get it until he's did you see the picture floating around him showing up in his pregame fit to Acro sure stadium the last time he was there. No, it looks like a con candy roll. And it's pretty awesome. Shout out to Kyler Murray, dude. I just I want him in Pittsburgh. So bad. So bad. And I'm going to let him off. King era, you know, between him, between love is blind. All these short kings. You know what I mean? It's crazy. It's crazy. It's what I'm saying. Shout out to Kyle. I'm right. And Jerry, I looked it up and the Shaheed contract that the Seahawks was projected to do was a three year contract between 42 and 46 and could be paid as high as 18 million. I like 18 million for Rashid Shaheed. I think that'd be totally fine. Be pumped for that. Yeah. I think he's looking. I think you get two very needed things on your roster with the Rashid Shaheed. You get a quality wide receiver three because I don't think he's a wide receiver to him. Pittsburgh. I just think they

46:50would overdraft a Rashid Shaheed, which is fine. That's what I'd want to happen. That's what I want to happen. No matter what, wherever they sign and or get unless it's Brian Thomas Jr. And even really if it is Brian Thomas Jr. I want the guy coming in here to have a higher upside. And you get a very good pump returner. And I think that those are two pieces to the game that are worth 18 million bucks because they're both very valuable. And I think Rashid Shaheed, they're easy. But I think I would imagine gets 20. I would. Unless he's the guy that you know, he surprises us with a lower deal, which happens every year as well. So happens every year. But I mean, he just he provides such versatility. I think it's the same reason why a player like Kenneth Gainwell wants to at least explore free agency is because maybe there is a team that feels that versatility is worth just a little bit more than someone who wants to pay you as a wide receiver to, you know, maybe maybe the Steelers, the Steelers are in such a great salary cap space. So keep that in mind. They could go out there and they could be one of

47:51those teams that finally, they can finally be one of those teams that overspends a little bit like maybe it's not the best contract. But this Steelers team has been so timid in free agency. You know, I wrote some stories recently about the worst free agency signings at the last decade, the best ones. There's no, you know, there's no ginormous whale of a contract that this team is like waiting to get out from under. There's no, you know, eight year deal for $1.00. Like there's no, it's just a bunch of like three year $12 million deals that some worked out some didn't. They can take a swing with $50 million of salary cap space. Yes, give Rashid Shaheed $20 million, $25 million. Like will it make you the best team in the division? No, but you have to take some chances and be aggressive and bold in some instances to improve this team. Otherwise, you're not a quote, you know, championship team in the Steelers eyes. Yes, yes. I like that. And I, I hope

48:52they do it. I think Rashid would be number two on my list to Wondale, but I'd pay Wondale that money too. And I, I think I'm alone on that one. And I'm okay with being alone on that one. But I, I agree with you. Like you want to go make a splash. If it's Rashid, that's awesome. Like him and DK McCaffalone are a great one too. And then you add a third. It opens the door for a macaque lemon without any issues. It just, yeah, it makes a lot of sense. Makes so much sense. Steel nut here. What are you guys thinking about Lorenzo Stiles? I like Lorenzo Stiles. He's a freak. Just like a steel nut. He, yeah. That boy's got steel nuts. For sure. I would love for him to be someone the Steelers get in a later round. Because, you know, let's be honest, special teams guy, right? No disrespect. But I think that's what, that's where his peak is going to be. Steelers need good special teams guys. And they have, you know, a lack of depth, safety. So I would welcome a guy like Lorenzo Stiles in the later rounds. Yeah. Yes, yes,

49:55agreed. I think bare minimum, you go out and get a Lorenzo Stiles. And you could play him as your safety three, you know, him in Sebastian, catcher and a gunner and a special team, you know, and you feel pretty okay, because, and you have to add a corner so that jailing could play safety if you need them to. So that Lorenzo, Lorenzo Stiles isn't starting if something were to happen. But I think you could build him as a developmental piece. And he's crazy good on spec, crazy good on special teams. So yes, my answer would to that would be yes, for sure. Cody Silva, glad we are all in the division with the two Ohio teams. Yeah, me too, dude, because I have stinks. Nobody ever wants to go to Ohio. I wouldn't want to do it. So it's so drive-throughable. So it's always said the whole time to Indianapolis. Ohio is state's pointless. Shout out, shout out. I love, I love Ohio and I have family in Ohio. Like I spent a lot of time, but that state is just drive throughable. You know what I mean? I don't. I don't know. I don't want to dig my

50:59hole any deeper here. Tiger, what about Kenneth Walker? I mean, he's going to be go for a million dollars, but I would sign him with ease. If the Steelers told if Omar Khan came up to me and said, Noah, should I go sign Kenneth Walker? We have the okay. Let's say, yeah, will you dumb? Yes, go. Why are you even asking me? Well, you're wasting time, Omar. I would with ease. He's not in the market. Yeah, yeah. What are you? Turn around, Omar. Why are you not on the phone? They won't. He's not in their ballpark. Private dwelling in my house. Oh, my God. My out. Oh, my God. But if for some crazy reason, that became it changed and Kenneth Walker was in the ballpark for the Steelers, yes. Yeah. That'd be like saying, oh, sayquans on the map. Do you keep Jalen Warren as you're you're really thinking Kenneth Gain? Well, no, dude, you're thinking, say, Juan Barkley and Kenneth Raymond are Kenneth Walker. Easy. Easy. Yeah.

52:03Someone's going to give him a lot more money than they should. And good for him. You know, I mean, like, what are you going to weigh in? Do like say, the Carolina Panthers are going to like friggin give him like 20 million dollars a year. You know, or like the Cardinals, because they have all this money now. Could you imagine? Could you imagine? He wants to play as James Conner. Yep. You know, yep, yep, for no quarterback. Shout out Tyson's and hope he has a good time over there. I really, really do. Irresistible fan. It's seen, it feels like the repeat of the last two years in the White Receiver Department. We end up waiting long and then end up with someone from the retirement home. I do. I think that, I mean, I'm if you were to ask me, no, what's the one thing outside of Aaron Rodgers returning that you are most confident in when it comes to the Steelers this off season? I tell you that they are going to make a splash at White Receiver somewhere. And it's not a blockbuster splash. I wouldn't say I wouldn't guarantee that, but a splash, a notable move that Steelers fans are excited about. Not a nothing move,

53:10not a you got to talk yourself into this move, a notable move that you're going, oh, okay, good move. That was a good job. Way to go Steelers. That would be my, that would be the one thing I'm most confident outside of Aaron Rodgers. Yes, I, man, I think there is a very healthy and very valid fear, you know, being brought up here by a, by a resistible fan. And, you know, like there's this, what have you done for me lately? The answer is not put a lot of good options on the table when it comes to White Receivers. So the, the hesitancy, the reluctance to buy in, I totally understand that. All signs seem to be pointing to the opposite happening finally in 2026. And, and I do think from what we've seen, not only from speculation and things that know what I have talked about on here, but just from the transactions we've seen the team making, releasing a couple of players, opening up some spots, opening up additional money, who they've been interested in

54:12at the combine. You know, again, like there are some signs that are pointing in a specific direction. I'm, I'm choosing to believe them at this point until we see otherwise. But I will be just as heard as you are, a resistible fan. If we are going up to La Trove later in the summer and we're like, oh, God, we got to cover DK Metcalf, Mike Evans, and Roman, this is going to be, how do we even do this? You know, I'll be just as sad as you are. I agree. I agree for sure. Michael's got one. Have you had Skyline chili? I have it every year. And Cincinnati, they put it out. I'm sorry before. Yeah. I have it every year. It's an adi at halftime. They put out hot dogs with some Skyline chili. And I'm telling you, oh, you want to hear something crazy here, my friend, every day of my life. According to now again, I'm going to say a name here that you're going to, but it's here.

55:15According to Andrew Filipone, the Pittsburgh Steelers have interest in running back Kenneth Walker. And we'll monitor a situation. Come Monday. Well, he's not coming here, then. Him and Brian Thomas Jr. We call that off. Yeah, that's the one. That's the one. Yeah, because I mean, now he's definitively not coming to Pittsburgh. You can, you can bet it. I don't know, find a bookie. Go outside, ask for someone bet money on it because you're going to make money on this because now Kenneth Walker is officially not coming to the Pittsburgh Steelers. I don't think he ever was, but that's, you know, we all make stuff up sometimes. So, you know, I think that's how that goes. That's crazy. Kenneth Walker. What's the most you're paying for Kenneth Walker? 10 million dollars. What do you think his value is going to be 20? 15 to 15 to 20. Yeah, more than 10. And I think that's absurd for a player who has had basically one year as a

56:19true starting running back in terms of production. Like he's good. He's talented. He's young enough. Like I understand, but like, yeah, he's crazy. He's crazy. Good. Just go draft somebody. Like running backs. Oh, man. Yeah, I'm not paying. I suddenly become indispensable overnight. When did this happen? No, no, I'm not, I'm not paying a running back. I don't feel good about it at all. Oh, man, you could talk me into them. You could, you could talk me into Kenneth Walker. He's crazy. Good, dude. He's great. Now for the writing Christ. Yeah, but I, I don't know. He, he would peak my interest. He would, I just think the Steelers would be the timing is bad. You know, like the timing of, of signing a Kenneth Walker is bad because you don't have a quarterback. Why do you sign in Kenneth Walker for, you know, like Kenneth Walker is a missing piece to a Super Bowl team. You're not a Super Bowl team. If Kenneth Walker was a free agent next year, with the same circumstance and the Steelers knew they were going to get a quarterback,

57:21go sign Kenneth Walker and give your rookie quarterback a phenomenal running back, fresh off his rookie deal, ready to go. You know, this year, like he's going to be year in and more banged up. Yeah, I don't know about that one. I don't know about that. I think there's any chance Kenneth Walker goes to Las Vegas because his old, his old offensive coordinators now the head coach. Nah, Ashton Gentie. Kenneth Walker is the best running back in the world. He just told me and he had a, yeah, but you drafted him sixth. You got to that's the different situation. He is the best. I don't know, man. Well, I think, but Zach Shardinay was the number one right alongside him until he got hurt. I don't disagree with that. And I think Zach Shardinay, if going out here, would make bonkers money. But I, I think both of them are phenomenal. You're telling me, Jail Warren's not just as good as Zach Shardinay or whatever. I think so. I think both together, yeah. I think guys two together be crazy. I think you just put the right complimentary player alongside Jail and Warren. You have the same thing that the Seattle Seahawks had on their backfield.

58:23Like I don't think it's like this. It's not some mystery element. Like the running back position is not like some complex mystery to solve. Just get athletic guys back there and give them the ball in space. Like I don't understand. I don't disagree. I don't disagree. But again, if this was a different year, this year doesn't make sense. In my head, maybe in the steel who said it does. But to me, it's if this was next year, I'd be going after Kenneth Walker. And I'd say I'd be saying were two years away from winning a Super Bowl. And I'd feel pretty good about it. I feel pretty good about it. Jerry Phillips. Yeah, yeah. I'm not saying that. I'm not saying that. I'm I'm agreeing with you. Jerry, I think we should take a Jacoby Lane first round. Yeah. I feel like there were people who before this 2025 NCAA season began who like had first round grades on Jacoby Lane. Yes. And I love like again, I think they're I said this on here. But like on here before. But like I I asked in this

59:29question about like do like being overshadowed by McKay lemon. And he kind of downplayed it. But I think he's being seriously overlooked because there is a superstar in front of him in McKay lemon. Like this guy has incredible physical traits. He's six four long wingspan. He's fast. He has great route running. Like there's a couple of questions. But I think if you got him in the third round, you would get a steal of a player like or in the fourth round even you would get a steal of a player. I don't have him over, you know, even guys like Casey Concepcion or Cooper or or any of those guys who are just outside of the top three. So if if he was in that like on that bubble, I would maybe find a hard side with you, Jerry. But right now I'm like, ah, it's not I don't have that great on him. You know, so I'd love to be proven wrong because he was incredible to talk to. You know what I mean? And I think we're all rooting for him. Yeah, I feel a lot of the same. Like to me, it's I'm actually like pretty okay, depending on what the draft is and turns out to be with any of the

1:00:36guys outside of the first four. If it ends up being that four of the Steelers, but you have to be just outside that first four. And I don't have lane in there. I have more like a round three type situation. I have him 16th. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Right around like Malachi. Again, I'm this is twice in one episode of Ninja and Malachi fields. I feel like he's right around Malachi fields in my head somewhere in that I keep my whiteboards behind me today. So I keep looking at that. But yeah, I have him. I have him right below Ted Hurst and Zachariah Branch. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And that's great class. Right. Like there's 15 16 17 guys. So you're like a man. They might have an 800 yard season as they're sealing. You know, you could put that that tag on a lot of guys. But I don't know if I love your confidence though, Jerry is suggesting it for sure. For sure. Duff. No, what videos are like low key intel news on the page. I couldn't tell they all look based off the main podcast. It'll say members only under the video. We only put out one so far. And then there's

1:01:41a community post as well. They'll be I don't really have a schedule for them right now. But it will say members only. It's kind of just like when I have something to give because I don't want to just put nothing out there or put anything out there. I want to make sure that it's worth it. So appreciate you guys as always. Yeah. Like right. Like people probably do that. We were talking to somebody at the combine. He's like, I'm not making cameos. But I will make a cameo. And I was like, guys, come on. Let's breathe it out here. All right. At some point, let's have some love for the game. And that's what this is. This is love for the game. I swear to God, dude, if you're like, we're doing cameos next year. No, I'm going to ask you to help me apply for other jobs. Not happening. Not happening. TJ did a top did a top five Steelers media list a while back. Had you at four Noah, I had since you moved you up to two. Sorry, nobody replaced Wex until he's officially retired. Thanks for the content. I am a happy. I am happy to be a member. My guy appreciate

1:02:47you. Also, 100% agree with your list, dude. Jim Wexel is the man and absolute legend. My one of my favorite human beings on the planet. Actually, Wex, if you're watching this, love your brother. Huge mentor, mine. I'll tell you a Wex story. First day, and I've probably told this many times. I've told it on his podcast. First day, I'm ever at practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I walk out in the practice field. Jim Wexel shakes my hand. Hey, I'm Jim Wexel. I was like, yeah, I know who you are, dude. Like, I know who everybody is. Nobody needs to introduce themselves to me. He's like talking to me. He's like, you know, anything I can do to help let me know, but I won't give away my secrets. I was like, that man is here to win. And I love it. I love it. I took it. I was like, that's my guy right there. That's my guy. But I sit next to Wex every single day. That is, that's one of my, I'm very grateful to call that man a friend. Shout out to Jim Wexel. Old school journalist. I think having him number one is is a very, very smart choice.

1:03:53No, good news to you. You know, there's some, there's some great, there's some great Steelers reporters. People who cover the team. So, yeah, I think I'm genuinely like last, but, you know, yeah. But yes, but in all seriousness, DJ, my guy, I appreciate you so much for sure. Roger, we bite the bullet and trade this year's first and a third for another first next year. Oh, I would not do that. I would you just trade the first for a first? Let's say, okay, let me, let me talk about tennis, what a Tennessee calls you and says, what does the Jets call you, dude, and say, hey, we really want 21. We'll give you a first next year. That's potentially the first pick in the draft in 2027. I, because obviously, you're not trying for kids in cities first, you know, the ramp, you're not taking the Rams first. But like,

1:04:58I mean, I find it highly and I find it incredibly unrealistic. But like, if sure, if one of those lowly franchises comes a calling, you have to consider it because, again, like that, they, the 2027 draft has been like circled on the Steelers calendar since like before, before time began. And I think that there is something really important that's going to happen in 2027. I eat getting a franchise quarterback. So I understand that. But I think you can just get a really good player in the first round at pick 21 in this upcoming draft. I'm very reluctant to part with it. I eat. I agree. I don't disagree. I just, I agree. Like if they call you, you'd have to see you'd have to think about it. You'd have to be like, all right. Well, let's sit down for a second here, boys. We got 10 minutes. We have to talk this one out for somebody get archmaning on the phone right now, right? We're not playing games here. It's not

1:05:59happening. Grace in the ginger. I got one more real quick. Do you guys have any potential trades in mine now? Either player for player or via draft compensation? Who would you get? I mean, Brian Thomas Jr. is the big one. Everybody's talking about right now. Outside of that trade-wise. Oh, I'll toss one. Jackson Power Johnson. Vegas. I think that's a very realistic possibility. Now, I'm not saying it's on their radar. I'm just saying, you know, it's not this big giant AJ Brown blockbuster trade. It's I think it's one that can actually like work for the Steelers and for the Raiders. Yeah, I love that idea. You know, I think it would take a very low draft pick to to lure him away from from the Raiders. Yes. I think that'll be great. Some like low cost moves to kind of round out the depth. I love that idea. If you're going to go, I've mentioned this player a couple of times. If you were to really just like be aggressive, go all in trying

1:07:01to upgrade this team via trade, I'm calling it Lanna and I'm saying, what do you want for Xavier Watts? They're starting safety. How do we get this going? It's it's going to be a very difficult sort of negotiation because he's entering year two in the NFL and we've quickly learned how important young rising safeties are in the NFL. But I mean, he's a hell of a football player. He'd be your answer alongside Dishon Elliott. Other than that, I'm thinking about trades in the draft. How do I get up from pick number 53? How do I pick 53 and pick between picks 35 and 40? How do I get up to pick 16 if I need to? How do I get up in round three as well? Because there's a lot of players circled on my board that we could get in the specific areas. So that's that's more where my mind is at right now. Yeah. Yeah. I very much so. I very much so agree. Grayson Ginger's got another one. I missed you boys. Can you give a quick recap of who the Steelers are eyeing in

1:08:02the draft and who would you get? Lots of wide receivers. Steelers are super interested in wide receiver, carnal tape, McCoy, lemon, Jordan, Tyson, Denzel, Boston, Omar, Cooper, Jared, Syrette, Casey, concept, she on. It germined Bernard. They met with they met with everybody you could possibly meet with 13 wide receivers at the NFL combine. A lot of corners, like all of the big corners and then the big five or I think it's like the big four safeties and then a lot of like mid-round safeties that kind of gave me the vibe is like nothing in between it's all or it's all or nothing essentially for the Steelers. Quarterbacks, Carson Beck, Ty Simpson, Drew Aller, Garrett Newsmeyer, Kate Clubnick are the name club nick are the names to watch. Am I missing anybody? I think that's it. A couple of linemen are not a ton to be honest with you. They didn't show and then a lot of defensive tackles. A lot of defensive tackles. Right.

1:09:05Right. Yeah. And are any of those your personal favorites that you want to be shown out? I mean, Carl, I'll take it easy, but realistically at 21, I really like McKay lemon or Jordan Tyson, depending on who's there. And I think one of them will be and if not, I'd go defensive. I'd go safety over corner. If one of the first three safeties are still on the board, I think the top three safeties are better than a lot of the corners. So I'd go there. If not, go get a defensive tackle like McDonald or Leonter. Yeah. Yeah. I love Kate and McDonald. I love. I think Denzel Boston's going to be the pick at 21. But I think if you can get one of those top wide receivers, of course, love, Kate and McDonald. I love Colton Hood corner back at a Tennessee. He's quickly become or he's almost immediately rose to like the top of my list after the combine. I love players

1:10:06like Emmanuel McNeil Warren. I think he's a first round talent that might not go in round one. My favorite player in this draft class, because I think he's probably the nicest human in this draft class is Bud Clark, safety out of TCU. Personally, I feel like I'm rooting for him. Beyond that, one other two other names I really like, late round, Jalen Kilgore, safety out of South Carolina. And I love Darrow Jackson Jr. out of Florida State. This man is ginormous. I agree. I love it. I love it. Nate Moore, how would you feel if the Steelers added Brandon and I you can Michael Pittman before the draft? As long as Michael Pittman gets cut, I'd be very okay with it. I think both of them are totally fine options. Not Brandon and I you. But yeah, Michael Pittman will be great as a free agent. I mean, Brandon and I who called day, dude, all day. You mean Brandon and I you never all day all day. All day. All day. Guys, a stud. Guys. I don't think I think Pittman might be an option if he gets cut. I don't think

1:11:12I use going to be but I but I would imagine I would imagine Pittman is is on every team's board. The second he becomes available, especially because he'll be somewhat cheap. And that's going to help for sure. Maddie, what would constitute a good offseason for the Steelers in your eyes? What moves do they need to make that make you go that will elevate them? Would Keon Coleman be available now? I think Keon Coleman might be available now. I don't think he's going to be on the Steelers list though, not until at least a little bit later in the free agency cycle. To me, if you went out and made a splash at left tackle, I would say that elevates your team pretty drastically. I expect the wide receiver. I expect the easy moves like finding a corner, even if that's a Sante Samuel or finding a defensive back to pair with Jalen Ramsey. But I think to me, the one move that goes, ooh, that was a win. Left tackle or left guard. I'm cool with either of them. But to me, that makes your team significantly better if you do it right.

1:12:16Yeah, well, well said that they a good offseason is they have an answer at wide receiver two. They have an answer at left tackle. They have added depth in the secondary. That's a good offseason. The moves that make you go that really will elevate them is do they land that stud at left tackle? Do they have that really high level player at wide receiver two is the safety playing alongside Dishon Elliott equal caliber to the player that he is those all will be the questions sort of determined like are they actually is the team being elevated and improved or are they just checking boxes? You know, I think that's what I'm looking at. I agree. I agree. Pittsburgh Hornets. What secondary people in free agency to you know are going to be stars and what ones are you punting on in free agency? I'm punting on most corners to be very honest. I like the corner class, but I think they're all bunch of guys that are very findable in the NFL draft. Like you could

1:13:21go get a Greg Newsom in the NFL draft. You go get them 10 times probably. You could go get an Eric Stokes in the draft. You can you could go get an Asante Samuel, but those would be the guys I go after James Pierre and Asante Samuel to me are cheap and easy and fill out exactly what you're looking for in 2026. If you're not looking to spend a boatload of money, the safety positions who I'd be going for. I'd punt on corner, honestly, and I'd go after unless it's like a nation right, but like he's not going to end up in Pittsburgh, but I'd go after his DB. I like that. The only player I think could be a star in this cornerback bunch, but I don't think this is like a secret or underrated is quartile flat. Like I think a lot of teams are going to pay, like teams are going to pay him because he's 24. But he's just like a long and rangel corner who is again 24 years old and has a lot of years of productivity still ahead of him. He could be a legitimate number two corner back a guy that just is like a Kamari Lassiter to a Derek Stingley type of player. The rest of it

1:14:27I completely understand there's a lot of depth guys who are going to make money. Safety positions nice. You know, you got me a lot of options there. I agree. To me, it's like I think the sealer is going to make splash safety. Whether it's in the draft or for agency, like I think whoever ends up in Pittsburgh is is going to be a fun name. I do. Pittsburgh primo. Hey, no, and Jacob, why is Pittsburgh going to let Calvin Austin walk and keep Wilson, who I heard cannot grasp the playbook contracts. Calvin Austin just hired Drew Rosenost the other day. He's looking for a new deal on a new team and some security Steelers aren't looking at for that with Calvin Austin. Roman Wilson's got two years left on his rookie deal. He's got he's he's you're not getting rid of him. It's just not happening. Worst case scenario, Roman is an inactive again every single week, but you'd trade him before you cut him. Calvin's an easy walk because his contract expired. He once got the yes. Yeah, no, Roman with Saul is going to get another chance here

1:15:29and I wish nothing but the best to Calvin Austin. I hope someone gives them some money and a legitimate chance to be a wider three or three and let's me to I agree one of one of the best people if not the best people in that locker room. Mark our best person in that locker room. Jets got two first rounds, two second rounds, zero thirds. Steelers could trade Alex and Roman for the Jets second and offer Jacksonville that second for Brian Thomas Jr. We have extra thirds and forts that they need more. Still have four or five picks in the top 100. I doubt the first part of this. I don't mind Steelers trade now ex high smith and Roman Wilson for the Jets second. You'd have to offer Jacksonville two seconds if you're not going into the first. And I still don't know if they're going to be in on it. Yeah, yeah, that's a tough part. I would love this. If you're telling me you can get rid of Alex high smith and Roman Wilson, and then subsequently acquire Brian Thomas Jr. Like I think you that's a good move.

1:16:30You know, like it's a good chain of events. But yeah, I'm not I think I agree with you overall. What if you went Alex Roman and a second? Do you think that gets Brian Thomas Jr. Just cut out the middle man? No. No. Why does why? I think Alex high smith don't they have need an ad rusher? Everyone needs an ad rusher all the time. I don't know specifically about Jacksonville. I don't know. I don't know. It's Tavy on Walker. Remember we just talked about the other day. He's not good. He's they need somebody. They need somebody. He was a first overall pick. Not because he was like, I wonder how good he is. I don't know. But if they need an ad rusher, I think Alex high smith could spice up that deal enough. You'd have to throw something else in there. It'd be like second Alex high smith Roman and like a fifth. So much. No, just I wouldn't do it. I'm just yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I wouldn't do it either. It's essentially this deal plus a fifth like to me. You're like, all right. There it is. No. Not dog. No. Yeah. Yeah. It's getting complicated. Vincent is digs an option for the dealers.

1:17:36No. No. No chance. I don't think digs is going to be an option for anybody. Pittsburgh's not even going to touch him. Now I'm going to think about it. Two columnary ones here. Shout out my guys. Pittsburgh primo knowing Jacob. Do you think that columnary can play in our division due to the weather and physicality and then Jeremy? No. What do you think of? Oh, I apologize for that one. That's the wrong one. John. Hey, no, columnary or a reunion with Justin Fields. columnary all day. You already tried Justin Fields. Didn't work out and he's going to be more expensive because columnary is a vet man. columnary. Yes, I think he could play in the division. I don't like that narrative. Like you're telling me that columnary can't play in the division because he's too small, but Aaron Rodgers can play in the division at 43 years old with the inability to move with arthritis. Yeah. I already talking about no. To me, that's just like a wild argument. I'm just I get what people are saying the physicality and everything. I 100% understand

1:18:36it, but I also think it's like so over dramatic to be like, I don't know, man, the Cincinnati Bengals defense is just going to rough him up twice a year. It's like, no, it's not. Okay, it's going to play Baltimore and Cleveland four times a year and they are two tough defenses. Okay, besides that, he's fine. Like that's that's it. There's 14 more games, 13 more games to go. I think he'll be okay. Yeah, yeah, I never really buy this sort of overall. Like I don't like this narrative that like players can't play in an ex location because of weather or whatever. Like I don't buy it. They're grown adults who train in these conditions. Like it's they they'll be fine. Yes. Naji never once saw snow until he was in Pittsburgh. Yeah. And he had five one thousand yard seasons. Yep. Yep. And so yeah, I think it's I think he that's not my fear. My fear

1:19:42is I just like don't think he's that good, but which is a which is a very valid fear. That is the fear. But you know, I don't think we need other reasons to to explain why Kyler wouldn't do well in Pittsburgh outside of the fact that maybe Kyler Murray's not good, but like, let's be really honest. Nobody who's available is good. There are no good options. Not one of them. Great. That's right. They're going to get the only one. It's just not going to work out for anybody. It's not going to work out for anybody. Shout out to Kyler Murray. Man, can't wait for him to win MVP in 2026. John didn't this. Have their eye on Traylon Berks. Could he be a cheap option for a wide receiver three? I don't think Traylon Berks is good enough to be a wide receiver three. I mean, maybe a cheap out. I look at it like you don't really need them. Like they did have their eyes on them a little bit. I know. I don't think you need a Traylon Berks. No, he's a he's a fifth wide receiver. In my opinion, not a third. Yes.

1:20:46And then it's go, dude. Then he's go. Then he's goes the best wide receiver five in the NFL. Yeah, man. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And he's like a natural disaster survival expert or something. I bet. So I wouldn't doubt that. I mean, I bet. Yeah. That boy was just in the hurricane. He was just like, you know what? I'm just going to run into wind and come out with superpowers and be the greatest special teamer of all time. You know, he fishes just grabs it. Then I wouldn't that wouldn't surprise you at all. If he walked into the alligator river and was just like, God, dinner giant pike. It's like, there's not even pike in here. What are we? Seven and nine pike. Seven out of the Mananga, Halo. It's disgusting. TK, I stole this question, Murray or Justin Fields. Kyle Murray all day all day, dude. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You already had Justin Fields. They didn't work out. You know, I think Kyle personally is better than Justin, just baseline. Anyways,

1:21:48100. I mean, he's more productive, a demonstrably, more productive across multiple NFL seasons. So yes, you're correct there. For sure. Duff, who's the best free agent safety available in free agents, brisker, juquam brisker, I would say, um, safety free agents. I just don't want to read blank and ship might have the most interceptions amongst. Yeah, dude, but that's because they're throwing at read blank and ship because the rest of that defense is ridiculous. Yeah. I mean, they're going, all right. We got to pick two white boys. Look for the white guy and make sure it's the right one. And then throw it that way. Not Cooper, not Cooper, not Cooper, not that guy. Um, yeah, I would say I would say it's, I would definitely say it's juquam brisker. Brian Cook is not not really a ballhawk. Nick Cross might be considered ballhawk. That guy comes up with all I keep forgetting he's going to be a free agent. Yeah. I don't mind that one. Um,

1:22:48yeah, I would put those two top of the list. I'll put another one out here, though. Um, Jalen Thompson, Arizona. He's also very overlooked safety in this class. Interesting. Yeah. Yeah. I agree. Uh, Renegade Minka. I love the content. However, Steelers move so slow. Will there be any urgency and free agency? Yeah, I think that the Steelers are going to, uh, you don't, they usually do. It's still the Steelers. No, no, you're wrong on that one. The Steelers never take forever to sign anybody. Not in the last seven years. They always move quick. Um, they, they will, they're not going to wait like when the free agency window opens to sign players on the, they are already moving slow on their biggest free agent. Yeah, that's because he's just so he sees out here with his wife making like that. You know what I mean? Yeah, he's just trying to get ripped so his wife still finds him attractive.

1:23:49I don't know what he's doing. Talk about what he's doing. It's not, not apiography. When it actually opens though, they move quickly. I think that's an over. I think that's a bad like, I think that's a wrong notion for the Steelers. It's been years since they've done it. Like two years ago, they signed like eight dudes before Friday night. And I know because I wrote about every single one of them. Like they, they, it's never splashy and they're never going to kickstart things. But you, you can even go back to, they signed Mitch Trebitsky before anybody else was signed. He was the first free agent signing. Yes. Yes. I think what people feel more than anything is the fact that they see things like Buffalo Bills go out and get DJ more. And you're like, what have the Steelers done? They can't even get an answer. I don't agree. 42 year old arthritic quarterback. You know, I mean, I think when that's the perception, that's the only takeaway is that they just move slowly because you're right. We've written,

1:24:49like, you know what I mean? Like with the before the tampering window, even opens like we'll have 12 stories ready of all the Steelers free agents, you know, and who they're signing. Like so it's not that. It's, but there is a general perception. This team lacks urgency when it comes to roster construction. I agree. I do agree with that one. They're never the first one, but they're never trying to be splashy. And I get that, you know, and that argument I can't argue against. But I anticipate it because it gets that second week, dude, it just sucks. You just sitting there going, all right, that was, that was fun. Can we do it again? Like do something, you know, and then they're just like Malik Harrison, but I'm being about a boom. It sucks. Brett, how do you feel about trading T.J. Warren away, signing Kenneth Walker and Gainwell somehow get Brian Thomas Jr. Get a wide receiver safety corner offensive line, middle line backer defensive line in the draft. And whenever order is best available, Howard or Rodgers at QB. I mean, I don't, I don't hate any of this. I don't think

1:25:50I trade T.J. or Jalen Warren the rest of it. I'm having a blast with. It's totally fun. Yeah, it wouldn't happen, but it's, I like it a lot. Yeah, I don't trade T.J. or Warren. No, I'm interested in that. Cut the first section. I don't want to sign. I would love to sign Kenneth Walker, Kenny Walker and Kenny Gainwell. Don't I would hate that so much. You can't have two Kenny's in the running back room. Kenny, and get it. Yeah, you can do that. Love to get Brian Thomas Jr. for sure. Yes. Yeah. And I think the draft is pretty spot on. I think this is fine. It won't happen. And training T.J. and Jalen, I think we'd only make the team worse. It would not be, would not be in on that. If you're going to, I'd pick Jalen over Kenny G, just quite frankly, if that was, that's what we had to do. All right, let's finish it off with Jeremy. No, what do you think of Rodgers endorsement of Will Howard? I thought it was nice, but I didn't think anything of it. And I knew people are curious, you know, but he's been

1:26:51doing that for a year now and he's going to do that. He, that's what Aaron Rodgers specializes in is hyping up the Ben Scoronix and the Skylar Thompson's in the world and making sure that he's the greatest teammate ever, which he is a very good teammate from everything that I've heard. But it doesn't come as a surprise, like it doesn't. Nothing about it was like, oh, that stands out. To me, it was just like, that's Rodgers being Rodgers. All right. And it's perfectly in line with what everybody has talked about regarding Will Howard. Yes. Like he's always been well regarded as a player in the locker room. He's always been described as like, studious when it comes to the off the field parts of preparation. And I think that's a lot of what we heard again from Aaron in that conversation with Pat McAfee, too. So like it lined up with what we already really know. It means so little in terms of what will transpire for this team. And I hate to be such a so like downplaying of a question that you're asking with curiosity here, Jeremy. But it's just like, it means, it means nothing. No, I agree. I very much so agree. All right, y'all. With that said, we're heading out here.

1:27:56Thank you guys so much for jumping on to another episode of All Steelers Talk. Paul Jen's again for software issues, I guess. I don't think it's the Wi-Fi. I have a move. Nothing's changed. So we'll see what's happening. We'll have a fixed tomorrow. Appreciate you guys. As always, subscribe to us on youtube youtube.com slash All Steelers Talk. Check us out anywhere you get your podcasts and find all our work at SI dot com slash NFL slash Steelers. Once again, I want to give a shout out to our Steelers Intel and our AST Nation members appreciate you guys and everything you do for us. Can't thank you guys enough. If you want to become a member, you can do so by clicking the link below. We'll be back tomorrow. Until then, enjoy another beautiful day in the book. Peace.