The Jig Is Up: Steelers Offseason, Vol. 21, Let the lull begin
Recently I was thinking about my time writing about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout my career doing so, I’ve essentially done it all.
Commentary, news, breaking stories, features and even took a stab at simple film room breakdowns.
The one thing I’ve never done is work on just a random thought type format.
I can’t speak for you, the reader, but I am always thinking about writing and the Steelers. Thinking about different aspects of the team and game. Thanks to reading Myron Cope’s biography I decided to put a unique spin on this type of feature.
Now, for the name of the article, anyone who is familiar with the Styx song “Renegade” should know where it came from. If not, this is where it came from…
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This’ll be the end today of the wanted man
The jig is up…time for some randomness.
The Rodgers Effect
Aaron Rodgers signing with the Steelers is no longer hot news on the NFL circuit, but I felt it important to note how the signing of Rodgers will absolutely have an impact on the roster outside of just throwing passes.
Rodgers will benefit a player like Zach Frazier as the center. Frazier getting to understand what someone who has been in the league for 20 years sees from a protection standpoint will be invaluable.
Rodgers impact on pass catchers, mainly Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, will be enormous for these two tight ends.
I could go on, but the Rodgers Effect will impact the entire team, especially the offense, at every level, even the coaching staff.
Freak of Nature
I have two new nicknames for DK Metcalf now that he is with the Steelers. They are:
The Freak and Freak of Nature
Human beings that size are not supposed to be able to run that fast, jump that high, or have a physique like that dude. I really look forward to seeing what Metcalf will do in a Steelers uniform, and unlike receivers the team has employed in previous years, he is will to do the dirty work and is a 100% energy player, all the time.
National Media at it again…
I love social media, but sometimes it is frustrating based on the fact there are so many national media pundit clips which get circulated with people who know absolutely nothing about the Steelers plans. Take the clip below as an example. They bemoan the decision to sign Aaron Rodgers based on the fact it will ruin their ability to bring in another quarterback in 2026.
Do they not know about the public plan of gathering compensatory draft picks? Do they not know they could have 12 draft picks next draft? Do they not know they are willing to move hell and earth to trade up and get their “guy”?
Just another reason I suggest fans don’t pay attention to national media’s thoughts on the black-and-gold…
Example 1,000 why national media don’t understand the #Steelers and the plan they openly admitted to this offseason https://t.co/7n1bzw3gyC
— Jeff Hartman (@JHartman_PIT) June 10, 2025
Cam Johnston Rehab Update
If you are like me, you often wonder about players who sustained season-ending injuries and how their rehabilitation is going. Cameron Johnston, the team’s first free agent acquisition last offseason, is working his way back from a gruesome knee injury. Special Teams coordinator Danny Smith gave a glowing update on Johnston’s rehab.
Check the video below:
Incomparable Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith on the rehab of punter Cameron Johnston and how he’s back to 100% pic.twitter.com/CdBdeHZuGY
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) June 10, 2025
The Steelers have options with T.J.
T.J. Watt chose to skip Mandatory Minicamp, and the optics of this decision aren’t good. Does it matter? No, it absolutely doesn’t matter from a football standpoint, but from an optics perspective it isn’t good. Who am I specifically talking about? The optics with the fans. Already fans have started to circle on T.J. Watt and the decisions he’s making.
With all that out of the way, the organization does have options if they wanted to play hard ball with the former Defensive Player of the Year.
The Steelers could absolutely force him to play out the final year of his current contract, and if he plays at a high level they could use the franchise tag on him. The franchise tag would be roughly $25 million dollars towards the salary cap, which many would find as a bargain considering what other players are getting per year.
Watt would hate the decision, but fans need to realize the team does have other options besides give Watt a mega deal, and trade him away.
Ultimately, I believe the team will sign Watt to a new contract before training camp, but until then it’s time to explore all options.
Minicamp Storylines in Hindsight
Before the start of Mandatory Minicamp, I did an article citing 5 storylines to track during these workouts. Let’s recap, and also see how they did in hindsight.
1 – Will T.J. Watt show up?
No, Watt chose to skip these workouts, and the optics certainly weren’t good.
2 – Aaron Rodgers in the black-and-gold
It was great to see Rodgers finally donning the black-and-gold and a Steelers helmet. He looked to be in good spirits, and can still spin the rock.
3 – DK Metcalf doing football-like things
As stated earlier, Metcalf is a freak of nature. Human beings that size shouldn’t be able to move like that. Metcalf is going to fit in just fine in Pittsburgh.
4 – Rookies getting acclimated
Whether you’re talking about Will Howard learning from Aaron Rodgers, Derrick Harmon beginning to work with the starters, or Kaleb Johnson getting acclimated to the offense. The acclimatization process was well underway.
5 – No bad news
Mike Tomlin said after the Thursday workout there were no new injuries, this after Donald Parham’s Achilles Tendon rupture, which would hinder any players from being full participants in training camp.
All in all, minicamp was “Mission Accomplished”.
Happy Father’s Day!!
While I’ll talk about this more over the weekend, I wanted to send a special Happy Father’s Day message to all the dads out there!
Player Spotlight
I wanted to start doing a spotlight segment every week during the offseason of a lesser known player who donned the black-and-gold for a time.
This week’s player: Clark Haggans
The Steelers selected Haggans out of the fifth round out of Colorado State in the 2000 NFL Draft. He became a regular starter at left outside linebacker in 2004 when the team released long-time starter Jason Gildon.
Haggans recorded six quarterback sacks in 2004, and had nine sacks during the 2005 regular season. Haggans was second on the Steelers defense in tackles for Super Bowl XL, and also recorded a sack, helping the Steelers defeat the Seattle Seahawks. In 2008, Haggans became an unrestricted free agent.
After his time with the Steelers he spent 2008-2011 with the Arizona Cardinals, even losing to the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. His final season was in 2012 with the San Francisco 49ers, which also resulted in a Super Bowl loss, this time to the Baltimore Ravens.
Haggans’ story ended on a sad note when died on June 17, 2023, at the age of 46. His death was attributed to chronic alcohol use.
Check out the latest “Let’s Ride” podcast in the player below:
That does it…the jig is up, they’ve finally found me. This renegade is outta here…be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of offseason leading up to training camp.
I WAS worried about the Rodgers vs Rudolph/2026 draft position, but someone replied to me on here (Matt cat I think?) and talked me down some. I looked up what it can take to get into the top 10 and the chiefs in 2017 traded their 1st that year (27th overall) their 3rd, and the next years 1st to move up to 10 and got Mahomes. I think the Steelers drafting 27 is a reach, so moving into the top 8 is doable and would allow the Steelers to get a solid guy still. I think the only way they would get into the top 3 is if they were drafting 10 latest and I don’t think they would be bad enough to be a top 10 pick with Rudolph. Panthers traded up from 9 for the bears 1 overall and it took DJ Moore, 2 firsts (one of which was 9 overall) and 2 seconds. Very steep price once you get into the top 3. I’m all in on 2025 and excited at their options for 2026. Go Steelers
A steep price, but I’d pay it in a heartbeat to be able to get the next “guy” for 10+ years.
Time to stop the band-aids at the QB position, and hopefully that happens in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Absolutely. Do anything to get the next guy
I’d slow this to… do what is needed, rather than anything. And don’t draft the next Leaf or Manziel, please!
Yeah be smart about it for sure.
Do anything for a chance to get the next guy. Perhaps not you but a lot of fans seem to assume that the Steelers need to simply trade into the top 10 and get the QB for the next 10 decade+. If only it were that simple.
Correct, it is not that simple, Jon has a point, you never know what you’re gonna get, in advance. Pgh could instead apply the Andy Reid strategy, or get lucky with a lower pick than the top 10. John S, MattCat, and Jeff may be obliquely referring to what each hopes for. C’mon, The Shawshank Redemption was a good film, Dufresne aphorism.
Oh for sure. I’m very realistic with how difficult it is to find the next Ben
Would be nice.
Who’s MattCat, what the heck does he know?? I wonder if the Panthers regret that trade… Canales may not, I guess. Panthers may yet do better than the Saints did with the move from 12 to 5 back in 1999 for Ricky Williams, depends on Bryce. I’m glad you found my words helpful, John S.
I’ve written my piece regarding media previously, with focus on ESPN in particular. Jeff, you missed what Qui-Gon Jinn said to Jar-Jar Binks in The Phantom Menace regading Marcus Spears. His ability to speak does not make him intelligent.
So sad hearing about the death of Haggans, when he passed, Way too young. RIP Clark
Yes. Always sad when young people get seriously hurt, or move on.
I didn’t know that he died until right here and right now.
I catch annoucements on Pro Football Reference.
I remember a lot of his teammates, especially Joey Porter Sr. who was also his college teammate at Colorado State, took it pretty tough.
I have been critical of the half in half out approach(my opinion) this off season. But starting to come around on having Rodgers under center for 2025. There are a bunch of things that has to fall in place for any of this Rodgers signing to matter. I just hope that the Steelers take an aggressive approach to both the offense and the defense this year. No more rocking back on the heels, more up on the balls of their feet.
I think the secondary could be more improved even with the aging vet in Slay. His presence could really benefit a still young Porter Jr, whose skill sets mirror one another. Slay has played that position at the highest of levels. The addition of Thornhill could be one of the best sleeper moves of the off season. Minkah could actually be put back into Minkah situations with Thornhill patrolling the very backend maybe in a rotation with Elliot. I’m also still high on Beanie and look forward to year two despite some bad play in his rookie season.
The O-line remains as the huge question mark and there aren’t many options out there but a swing tackle acquisition would make me feel more comfortable. Not discounting Jones and Fautanu but not banking on it either. Gonna be the focus of many when camp opens. Excellent point on Frazier and having Rodgers under center passing on his knowledge.
Speaking of Rodgers, I am intrigued by the quick passing game and if we have the route runners to make that a thing with Rodgers quick release. Does CA3’s target shares increase with his ability to get quick separation. Can he improve upon his route crispness and be where Rodgers thinks he should be. Does Washington finally become part of the receiving world?
How many catches for Pat Freiermuth? He had a solid ’24 season that doesn’t get mentioned much.
How many receptions for Warren? I know Johnson is the talk of the town with how he fits into Smith’s run game. Don’t sleep on Jaylen Warren folks!
The Front 7, despite the Watt holdout, should see an uptick in play. Both Queen and Wilson will have a second year working together. Queen gradually improved as the season wore on and while Wilson was learning on the fly with both good and bad results, flashed enough to be excited about year two. It would be nice to have that stelar ILB play that the franchise was once known for. The IDL was a big talking point during the draft cycle and the Steelers invested in two hopeful studs for the future. With Cam, still defying father time, leading the way and hoping that the rookies soak all of that knowledge up from the veteran stalwart. Not many have done it better and for so long than 97.
Not just for Cam, but it would be awesome to make a legit playoff run for him.
Go Steelers and keep doing great things Jeff and Co.
I posted this last week but Jaylen Warren is making over $5 million this year is actually pretty good for a running back, a bit higher than what Najee Harris will make this year. At least from a salary standpoint, the Steelers aren’t planning for Warren to be a 3rd down specialist.
Yes, who wrote otherwise?
Earlier this week there was an article that stressed the possibility of Kaleb Johnson becoming a lynch pin on offense (I might be overstating that some). Apparently, Pittzblitz had a similar observation, “I know Johnson is the talk of the town with how he fits into Smith’s run game. Don’t sleep on Jaylen Warren folks!”
I agree and pointed out that Jaylen Warren is being paid, literally, as a top 20 RB this year. Who knows what will happen but, by virtue of his contract, the Steelers seem to be set on using Warren a ton.
Don’t get me wrong, if Johnson comes in and lights it up, the Steelers will gladly forgo Warren’s contract for Johnson’s production. I think that Warren is probably in the cat bird’s seat, though. If he plays well then Johnson will get rookie snaps.
Agreed completely. I need to return to Sanka.
Glad to have you around PB56!!
I have been in and out, a little here a little there LOL
Please enjoy https://youtu.be/i1BxFVLK0-Y?si=Ql–y4UF1Y8Pm4xZ.