Steelers Ditch Drama, Not the Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading the polarizing wide receiver George Pickens. Half the fanbase is celebrating like they just kicked out a toxic roommate, while the other half is crashing out, devastated over losing one of the most talented receivers we’ve had in years.

And honestly, both sides have a point.

Pickens was a walking highlight. You couldn’t take your eyes off him on game day, the man made the impossible look routine. But with those jaw-dropping plays came plenty of drama. Whether it was sideline outbursts, cryptic social media posts, or showing up late to meetings, practices, and even games, he constantly made headlines for reasons that had nothing to do with football.

Now that he’s gone, just when we thought our wide receiver room was a strength, it feels… incomplete again. Combine that with the fact that we still don’t have a clear QB1, and it’s no surprise people are tossing around the “T-word” again: tank.

Here’s the thing, as a coach, I hate that word. I hate what it stands for. Purposefully losing just to maybe get a better draft pick down the road? That’s not sports. That’s not football. That’s not competition. And it’s definitely not how you build a team.

Based on who the Steelers drafted this year, it’s clear they want more high-character players in the building, and I’m all in on that. Between the vets and the rookies, punting on the season wouldn’t sit well with anyone in that locker room.

If I was an NFL coach willing to tank, I wouldn’t expect my players to trust me, or give me everything they’ve got, if I were willing to throw away their hard work for a shot at someone who hasn’t taken a single NFL snap. These guys put in so much to get ready for the season. They sacrifice time with their families, their personal lives, their finances, and more. Learning the team isn’t fully invested in the results? That sends the worst possible message.

You don’t build a winning culture by teaching players that losing is part of the plan. That mindset rots the locker room from the inside out. I haven’t seen many teams who have been successful after tanking.

And let’s be real, even if you land a top pick, there’s no guarantee it pans out. People are already chanting “March for Arch,” like Arch Manning is the savior we’ve been waiting for. But now there are whispers he might not even declare for the 2026 draft. Even if he does, he’s only started two college games. He’s far from a sure thing. He and other college quarterbacks may have sky-high potential, but how many hyped-up QBs have flamed out in the NFL? Too many to count. I’m not saying the team shouldn’t go for their QB next year, but I wouldn’t want them to sacrifice this year to acquire him. The Steelers have a ton of draft capital to use in 2026 to be aggressive in their QB quest.

The way I see it, the answer hasn’t changed: you put the best team you can on the field every single week. You compete. You fight. You stay aggressive and look to improve wherever you can.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Steelers added another veteran wide receiver soon. Players like Amari Cooper, Gabe Davis (recently released by the Jaguars), and others are available. Trade targets like DJ Moore are also worth watching. The loss of Pickens stings now, but it could be addition by subtraction, only time will tell.

I wish him the best. I’m a fan of his game. But he’s no longer a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The focus must remain on the 2025 season and getting this team back where it’s supposed to be.

At the end of the day, you don’t play to tank.

Like Herm Edwards said, “You play to win the game.”

And if you don’t? What are you even doing out there?

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Stay Blessed and Stay Positive… “Here We Go”