Pittsburg, PA
Steelers mailbag: Should Pittsburgh embrace a rebuild?
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter an offseason that is different than any of the past 20 years. With Mike McCarthy now at the helm and another year of quarterback questions, is a soft rebuild what’s best for the Steelers? And what quarterback options are the best for 2026? That and more in this week’s mailbag.
Q: Please describe what would be considered a realistic tank season scenario. Keeping Rudy and Howard, and selecting a QB in the 3rd day of the Draft? Maybe even trading TJ? – Polamolicules_Dude
A: Something along those lines. Realistically, they should trade a lot of veterans. Trade Patrick Queen, trade T.J. Watt, trade Cam Heyward, trade Jalen Ramsey. Get as many picks in the 2027 draft as you can (they already have a ton of picks in this draft and the class isn’t highly-regarded).
Q: Hypothetically, let’s say that the new staff wants nothing to do with Rodgers, Rudolph, or Howard leaving Omar Khan to completely clean house at the position yet again. How would you build the QB room from scratch this off-season? – Blkgldtom
A: I would sign Malik Willis, draft a guy on Day Two or early Day Three (Drew Allar, Trinidad Chambliss), and then a veteran like Tyrod Taylor just to have a veteran in the room.
Q: Last time I asked in November, you in favor of picking up Broderick Jones’s 5th year option at $20M for 2027. I thought you were silly then, but you still riding with him? – AmperandSteel
A: Would lean no. Dylan Cook played well and if he can sustain that level of play, it wouldn’t make sense to pay so much more for Jones.
Q: I hear a lot of experts telling the rest of us that the Steelers “don’t have the draft capital to trade up” (as if it’s completely impossible for them to acquire the means.) If, hypothetically, the Steelers did want to trade up to the number one slot to take Mendoza, what would the actual price likely be? – SteelerSince73!
A: The Steelers aren’t trading up for the No. 1 pick. But, in a world where they would, they’d have to trade up at least twice. The Washington Commanders at No. 7 would be a team to target since they don’t need a quarterback and need edge rushers. Trade No. 21, one of their third-round picks, and either T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith to move up to No. 7. Then trade No. 7, their second-round pick, and next year’s first-round pick to get up to No. 1. It might cost more than that, too.
Q: 1. We seem to have some new coaching titles, like Chief Of Staff. What will these guys’ jobs entail? 2. Remind me of the deadline for Rodgers please. – steelwoman
A: Basically, he’s McCarthy’s right hand man. I don’t know what Scarnecchia’s exact duties will be, but he takes a bit of a load off McCarthy. In terms of a deadline, it was reported that the Steeles gave Rodgers a month to decide what he wants to do, and that was near the end of January, so I’d assume we’ll know one way or the other before March.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates made a recent move to their rotation, which has resulted in a surprising move from one player.
The Pirates announced that they placed right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski on the restricted list and recalled right-handed pitcher Cam Sanders from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of their series finale vs. the Minnesota Twins at PNC Park on May 31.
A player going on the restricted list means that they either left the team without a valid reason, or could be announcing retirement, but may consider returning in the near future to play later on.
It is a shocking decision, as there was no indication something like this was happening and makes a big change to the Pirates pitching staff moving forward.
Why Pirates May Have Placed Mlodzinski on Restricted List
This case with Mlodzinski is likely the former, although not confirmed, as he was in the clubhouse ahead of the game, so something may have happened closer to first pitch.
Pirates manager Don Kelly announced postgame in the 10-9 win on May 30 that Mlodzinski would follow right-handed starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft in the series finale.
Mlodzinski was a part of the Pirates starting rotation for the first two months of the season, but Jared Jones recently came off the injured list and took his role in the rotation, with the Pirates sending Mlodzinski back to the bullpen.
He said following the decision that he would talk with his agency and those close to him, so he may have decided to depart the team after this.
“Obviously just excited to have Jared back with us,” Mlodzinski said. “I can honestly say I’m just still communicating with the organization and the people in my corner, whether that’s my family or my agency, about what is next. I really don’t have any comments after that.”
How This Changes Pirates Pitching Staff
Mlodzinski has been an effective relief pitcher with the Pirates, with a 2.63 ERA over 140.1 innings pitched and 94 appearances.
The Pirates had plans for Mlodzinski as a bulk reliever, but someone that can also fill any role, including in high-leverage situations and as a middle reliever, something the team has seriously needed.
His departure hurts a Pirates bullpen that has really looked for consistent arms that can get outs, preserve leads and give the team a chance to make a comeback late.
Sanders has struggled in his time in MLB with the Pirates, with a 9.26 ERA over 11 appearances, a .300 batting average allowed and a 2.20 WHIP.
The Pirates can make a few decisions on Mlodzinski, who could technically still comeback, but it looks like they will trade him at this point.
Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!
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Amidst over 70 Pride festivals in Pennsylvania, I stand alone as none of my friends want to go. Not the big Pittsburgh Pride, not the small community park festivals.
This feels upside down. I’m a lesbian blogger and have no Pride friends?
I respect personal decisions, but this is a year to show up. Show up even just for an hour. Buy something, throw some coin in a basket. Our community might crumble. Showing up for Pride is not the same ask as door knocking or phone banking. Connect with people without saying a word. Remind yourself who we are. Send a message. Insert more little sayings. You get my point.
I decided to skip tabling this year. My energy is low. If I go to Pride, I want to just be one of the folx.
I wouldn’t actually mind going solo, but I have no vehicle. Gertie is still not running. Should I Uber? How long might I have to wait for a drive home?
Tomorrow, May 31 is Ross Township. I might Uber there.
Saturday, June 6 is New Castle Pride in Lawrence County.
Sunday June 7 is Pittsburgh and Connellsville. I can walk to Pittsburgh.
Saturday June 13 is tough – Indiana, Oil City, Mt. Lebo, Scottdale
Sunday, June 14 is Vandergrift and Freeport
Saturday June 20 is Millvale
Sunday June 28 is Forest Hills, Dormont, and Hazelwood
Monday June 29 is Aspinwall/Fox Chapel
Showing up in Lawrence, Fayette, Indiana, Venango, Westmoreland, Armstrong counties feels important.
What do you think?
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