Steeler known interview lists

[Jobu]

https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/onsi/ne ... -cristobal
Mario Cristobal???

[DumlinBumlinStumlin]

Baldinger and Weidel are buddies. This is funneling through them

[Mick]

It’s gonna be Shula for HC and Scheelhaase for OC

Jizz

Only 5 vacancies are left and the two Rams guys and Kubiak are still out there. Steelers should get their top pick. Bills are the only possibly more attractive job and they seem to be after other candidates. Hopefully the new guy comes in, cleans house, sucks for a year then finds a QB.

Bill's fans have a petition to rehire McDermott. Can't make this up

i can’t criticize.

Me before the bills loss: ‘if they lose this, mcdermott’s getting canned’
Everyone else before the bills loss: ‘if they lose this, mcdermott’s getting canned’
Bills management before the loss: ‘If we lose this l, mcdermott’s getting canned’

Me after they fired mcdermott: ‘actually, the guy who really should have been fired was beane’
Everyone else after the firing: ‘actually, the guy they really should have fired was beane’
Bills management after the firing: ‘oh shit’

[Steelafan77]

Headlines now are that the Steelers completed the ‘Rooney Rule’ process so they can hire all staff positions immediately.

Interesting to watch what their plans are as they’re unfolding. Do we see a hire immediately?

[Jobu]

So if they hire one of the McVey guys after they interview them next week, can they announce it, or do they have to wait til the Rams season ends.

[swissvale72]

Headlines now are that the Steelers completed the ‘Rooney Rule’ process so they can hire all staff positions immediately.

Interesting to watch what their plans are as they’re unfolding. Do we see a hire immediately?

Something tells me it's going to be Weaver as he's the most Tomlin like… And I'm not going to like it

[CKSteeler]

So if they hire one of the McVey guys after they interview them next week, can they announce it, or do they have to wait til the Rams season ends.

Rams season has to end before anything can be made official and while rare we have seen coaches back out of deals in the past. Until they sign it's kind of meaningless. There's also rules that prevent interviewing them right now.

So yea the coaches who may be most in demand kind of get fucked and often times passed over because of how things work here. Teams rush to get hires which I'm glad the Steelers aren't doing despite the media pressure to do so.

[Ice]

So if they hire one of the McVey guys after they interview them next week, can they announce it, or do they have to wait til the Rams season ends.

Rams season has to end before anything can be made official and while rare we have seen coaches back out of deals in the past. Until they sign it's kind of meaningless. There's also rules that prevent interviewing them right now.

So yea the coaches who may be most in demand kind of get fucked and often times passed over because of how things work here. Teams rush to get hires which I'm glad the Steelers aren't doing despite the media pressure to do so.

Exactly. Aside from lingering doubt and PTSD, I like that they're taking their time with the process, and I'm fine with every single fish that got away so far. Slow playing this seems the right move. Worth noting that they may not, and certainly don't have to, make public their Zoom interviews so far, or the results of them. They're leaking what they want to leak.

The only advantage hiring early in the cycle gets you is assembling staff, and I haven't seen too much of that from the early hires yet. If the hired coaches are waiting to hire off the staff of the Rams or Seahawks, well, hiring a Rams or Seahawks guy would certainly give the Steelers a leg up there, despite taking their time.

Sure, it could still all end in a disaster (see, lingering doubt and PTSD), but it's hard to fault the process so far.

And good chance they're all gonna be Zoom interviews till Wednesday.

Enjoy the snow!

[gojira5150]

After 15 years of mediocrity and disappointment, I'm willing to give anyone a chance.

The coach won't be Tomlin, and regardless of the results that is PROGRESS.

Mike McCarthy just had a losing record in Dallas, with better talent.

At his age, McCarthy won’t have anything to do with any kind of rebuild and I wouldn’t blame him.

Hiring McCarthy means the Steelers expect to contend with this mess of a roster next season.

Like I said, that would be the final straw with me and this team. Wouldn’t be bitter, I have a ton of great memories but hiring McCarthy means this organization doesn’t have any real understanding of the big picture.

I feel the sameway Dude. This happens and I go with my home team Rams (they are my 2nd Fav team). They want to win and go about doing it.

[swissvale72]

After 15 years of mediocrity and disappointment, I'm willing to give anyone a chance.

The coach won't be Tomlin, and regardless of the results that is PROGRESS.

Mike McCarthy just had a losing record in Dallas, with better talent.

At his age, McCarthy won’t have anything to do with any kind of rebuild and I wouldn’t blame him.

Hiring McCarthy means the Steelers expect to contend with this mess of a roster next season.

Like I said, that would be the final straw with me and this team. Wouldn’t be bitter, I have a ton of great memories but hiring McCarthy means this organization doesn’t have any real understanding of the big picture.

I feel the sameway Dude. This happens and I go with my home team Rams (they are my 2nd Fav team). They want to win and go about doing it.

Little disingenuous to cite McCarthys "losing record" in Dallas. Prior to the 2024 season, had three consecutive 12-5 seasons/

[955876]

You’re correct thanks

Wasn't that about the disagreement of the drafting of Stenosis Jones in the 1st round? Good times...

The Stenosis Jones thing with IC was just bizarre because he just kept emphasizing that Jarvis; “was a football player.”

No shit? Sure, he’s a football player that just happens to be awful at football and frai due to his neck condition.

The Cotch Watch broke IC. Killed him for all I know but I don’t think he ever returned after that.

Hope the dude’s okay.

Ah the good ole days. I remember IC being g a game t you had to damn near be a HOF caliber player to also be a leader.

Ummm no you don’t.

[955876]

Regarding McCarthy, why so much hate on him?

Now I don’t want him to be the guy because I REALLY want the team to go with a young innovative offensive mind.

But say he is the choice. Didn’t he have several top ranked offenses over the years?

Why so much hate for him? Asking because I haven’t followed him closely enough to know why he’s disliked so much.

[Steelafan77]

Headlines now are that the Steelers completed the ‘Rooney Rule’ process so they can hire all staff positions immediately.

Interesting to watch what their plans are as they’re unfolding. Do we see a hire immediately?

Something tells me it's going to be Weaver as he's the most Tomlin like… And I'm not going to like it

I’m not a fan off that move either. Want nothing to do with Tomlin like coaching staff.

Why was he fired then? If they’re seriously just switching rooms on the titanic it’s really worse than we thought.

My hope is they’ll be patient and do their due diligences with the potential HC candidates still in the playoffs.

All these other moves are to complete the criteria for signing the coach they really want and, nothing more than misdirection?

[K_C_]

Regarding McCarthy, why so much hate on him?

Now I don’t want him to be the guy because I REALLY want the team to go with a young innovative offensive mind.

But say he is the choice. Didn’t he have several top ranked offenses over the years?

Why so much hate for him? Asking because I haven’t followed him closely enough to know why he’s disliked so much.

I hate McCarthy being the hire because that means the Steelers, just like with Tomlin last season, expect to contend immediately.

Which, obviously, is ridiculous. This roster is far from top tier and adding Kirk Cousins or some retread QB that had success in the past, like they did with Rodgers, might get you to 9-8 and another playoff ass beating.

Mike McCarthy is an old coach who will only be hired because the Rooneys think a slightly different voice than Tomlin can take these retreads and mercenaries to the promised land.

Nah, count me out if that happens.

[CKSteeler]

Regarding McCarthy, why so much hate on him?

Now I don’t want him to be the guy because I REALLY want the team to go with a young innovative offensive mind.

But say he is the choice. Didn’t he have several top ranked offenses over the years?

Why so much hate for him? Asking because I haven’t followed him closely enough to know why he’s disliked so much.

He's had offensive success at both his stops. True enough.

But to add to what KC said, his teams have imploded annually when they made it to the post-season just like Tomlin. He's the sort of guy where if the stars align and he has a perfect roster might win a ring, but I've seen nothing that indicates he can really build a contender or take a team and elevate it from its talent level.

He's the white, offensive version of Mike Tomlin. It's an offensive league so that's about the best you can say for him. The two have eerily similar career trajectories outside Tomlin having the job security he did and McCarthy becoming the fall guy for Rodgers.

[swissvale72]

Regarding McCarthy, why so much hate on him?

Now I don’t want him to be the guy because I REALLY want the team to go with a young innovative offensive mind.

But say he is the choice. Didn’t he have several top ranked offenses over the years?

Why so much hate for him? Asking because I haven’t followed him closely enough to know why he’s disliked so much.

I hate McCarthy being the hire because that means the Steelers, just like with Tomlin last season, expect to contend immediately.

Which, obviously, is ridiculous. This roster is far from top tier and adding Kirk Cousins or some retread QB that had success in the past, like they did with Rodgers, might get you to 9-8 and another playoff ass beating.

Mike McCarthy is an old coach who will only be hired because the Rooneys think a slightly different voice than Tomlin can take these retreads and mercenaries to the promised land.

Nah, count me out if that happens.

Yeah, McCarthy's the "old" coach, but younger than Harbaugh, who everyone's fawning over in NYC. Granted, Harbaugh's got a QB. McCarthy's always been shit on on this site, which I never understood. Contrary to the prevailing opinion here until recently, I always thought he was better than Tomlin.

[K_C_]

Regarding McCarthy, why so much hate on him?

Now I don’t want him to be the guy because I REALLY want the team to go with a young innovative offensive mind.

But say he is the choice. Didn’t he have several top ranked offenses over the years?

Why so much hate for him? Asking because I haven’t followed him closely enough to know why he’s disliked so much.

I hate McCarthy being the hire because that means the Steelers, just like with Tomlin last season, expect to contend immediately.

Which, obviously, is ridiculous. This roster is far from top tier and adding Kirk Cousins or some retread QB that had success in the past, like they did with Rodgers, might get you to 9-8 and another playoff ass beating.

Mike McCarthy is an old coach who will only be hired because the Rooneys think a slightly different voice than Tomlin can take these retreads and mercenaries to the promised land.

Nah, count me out if that happens.

Yeah, McCarthy's the "old" coach, but younger than Harbaugh, who everyone's fawning over in NYC. Granted, Harbaugh's got a QB. McCarthy's always been shit on on this site, which I never understood. Contrary to the prevailing opinion here until recently, I always thought he was better than Tomlin.

The Steelers need a young, innovative coach and a roster overhaul. A completely different philosophy offensively.

McCarthy, much like Tomlin, was the beneficiary of having a generational talent at QB. In his interviews I will guarantee you he is promising the Rooneys he can win big with this current roster and a few tweaks.

That''s why the Rooneys are jizzing all over at the thought of McCarthy.

You'll see how it goes if they hire him and it won't be good.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

I don't get the McCarthy hate, what was Reid's playoff reputation before KC and Spagnola?

I would welcome a change of emphasis at this point .

[lifelongsteel]

As an old guy myself, I'm not going pound the table to "not" hire an older guy, i.e. McCarthy. In fact, I would welcome a staff of older been there done that guys if they still have the passion and aren't stuck in 20th century football. For one thing, this changes the focus from hiring for long tenure vs. hiring to win.

I will pound the table to "not" hire a guy who reminds people of Tomlin, i.e. Weaver.

The Steelers are not planning a rebuild. The Steelers think they can win next year and that they are 1 player (QB) away from it. I don't think they are crazy (though that 1 player is a big gap). What if for 2025 the Steelers:
- Didn't trade Pickens
- Didn't trade Minkah (giving them a real FS and no Jonnu)
- Played Cook all season

I can see that team beating anyone in the AFC. For 2026 they can basically run back the entire team (maybe not rodgers) + cap space + draft picks. QB is obviously still the question, but every year there are guys you can sign, players you can draft etc. And they should benefit from the coaching change, whoever they decide to go with.

You might have to squint, but you can see it. And so can they.

[swissvale72]

As an old guy myself, I'm not going pound the table to "not" hire an older guy, i.e. McCarthy. In fact, I would welcome a staff of older been there done that guys if they still have the passion and aren't stuck in 20th century football. For one thing, this changes the focus from hiring for long tenure vs. hiring to win.

I will pound the table to "not" hire a guy who reminds people of Tomlin, i.e. Weaver.

The Steelers are not planning a rebuild. The Steelers think they can win next year and that they are 1 player (QB) away from it. I don't think they are crazy (though that 1 player is a big gap). What if for 2025 the Steelers:
- Didn't trade Pickens
- Didn't trade Minkah (giving them a real FS and no Jonnu)
- Played Cook all season

I can see that team beating anyone in the AFC. For 2026 they can basically run back the entire team (maybe not rodgers) + cap space + draft picks. QB is obviously still the question, but every year there are guys you can sign, players you can draft etc. And they should benefit from the coaching change, whoever they decide to go with.

You might have to squint, but you can see it. And so can they.

Yeah...there's not an answer at QB, which is huge obviously, but as far as the "roster," let's look at it:
-the o-line is young and getting better. That seems to be a plus.
-two good tight ends
-two good running backs
-deficient at WR

-d-line, with Harmon & black, cam still having a year or two left, Benton ok sometimes, seems solid
-line backing both inside and outside seems good
-secondary with Elliott back seems good too.

So...may disagree, but other than the answer at the most important position, roster seems okay. Add in a plethora of draft picks and a good cap situation....

[K_C_]

As an old guy myself, I'm not going pound the table to "not" hire an older guy, i.e. McCarthy. In fact, I would welcome a staff of older been there done that guys if they still have the passion and aren't stuck in 20th century football. For one thing, this changes the focus from hiring for long tenure vs. hiring to win.

I will pound the table to "not" hire a guy who reminds people of Tomlin, i.e. Weaver.

The Steelers are not planning a rebuild. The Steelers think they can win next year and that they are 1 player (QB) away from it. I don't think they are crazy (though that 1 player is a big gap). What if for 2025 the Steelers:
- Didn't trade Pickens
- Didn't trade Minkah (giving them a real FS and no Jonnu)
- Played Cook all season

I can see that team beating anyone in the AFC. For 2026 they can basically run back the entire team (maybe not rodgers) + cap space + draft picks. QB is obviously still the question, but every year there are guys you can sign, players you can draft etc. And they should benefit from the coaching change, whoever they decide to go with.

You might have to squint, but you can see it. And so can they.

I’ve said all year that Pickens, who hated playing in the Steelers boring, creativity challenged offense and who already was a problem on the field (either lack of effort or mind numbingly stupid after play penalties) and off the field (sideline tantrums) would have behaved MUCH WORSE playing across from a guy that the Steelers just paid $150 million to. He wasn’t going to ball out in Pittsburgh like he did in Dallas and reportedly Dallas isn’t sure what to do about Pickens because he behaved like a total asshole toward the end of the season.

The Minkah thing, as much as I loved the guy, I honestly don’t think he would have been an upgrade over Ramsey. Dolphins fans were surprised at just how little Minkah helped their defense. I told them I wasn’t surprised.

I admire your optimistic take on the roster. Next season Watt and Heyward will be a year older. Metcalf will still have REALLY inconsistent hands. Highsmith finished 18th in the league in sacks with 9.5, the most by any Steeler. They need so many difference makers and they have nothing at QB.

[swissvale72]

As an old guy myself, I'm not going pound the table to "not" hire an older guy, i.e. McCarthy. In fact, I would welcome a staff of older been there done that guys if they still have the passion and aren't stuck in 20th century football. For one thing, this changes the focus from hiring for long tenure vs. hiring to win.

I will pound the table to "not" hire a guy who reminds people of Tomlin, i.e. Weaver.

The Steelers are not planning a rebuild. The Steelers think they can win next year and that they are 1 player (QB) away from it. I don't think they are crazy (though that 1 player is a big gap). What if for 2025 the Steelers:
- Didn't trade Pickens
- Didn't trade Minkah (giving them a real FS and no Jonnu)
- Played Cook all season

I can see that team beating anyone in the AFC. For 2026 they can basically run back the entire team (maybe not rodgers) + cap space + draft picks. QB is obviously still the question, but every year there are guys you can sign, players you can draft etc. And they should benefit from the coaching change, whoever they decide to go with.

You might have to squint, but you can see it. And so can they.

I’ve said all year that Pickens, who hated playing in the Steelers boring, creativity challenged offense and who already was a problem on the field (either lack of effort or mind numbingly stupid after play penalties) and off the field (sideline tantrums) would have behaved MUCH WORSE playing across from a guy that the Steelers just paid $150 million to. He wasn’t going to ball out in Pittsburgh like he did in Dallas and reportedly Dallas isn’t sure what to do about Pickens because he behaved like a total asshole toward the end of the season.

The Minkah thing, as much as I loved the guy, I honestly don’t think he would have been an upgrade over Ramsey. Dolphins fans were surprised at just how little Minkah helped their defense. I told them I wasn’t surprised.

I admire your optimistic take on the roster. Next season Watt and Heyward will be a year older. Metcalf will still have REALLY inconsistent hands. Highsmith finished 18th in the league in sacks with 9.5, the most by any Steeler. They need so many difference makers and they have nothing at QB.

Let's say there's no Watt. Are Steelers not okay with Highsmith, Herbig & Sawyer at OLB?

[K_C_]

As an old guy myself, I'm not going pound the table to "not" hire an older guy, i.e. McCarthy. In fact, I would welcome a staff of older been there done that guys if they still have the passion and aren't stuck in 20th century football. For one thing, this changes the focus from hiring for long tenure vs. hiring to win.

I will pound the table to "not" hire a guy who reminds people of Tomlin, i.e. Weaver.

The Steelers are not planning a rebuild. The Steelers think they can win next year and that they are 1 player (QB) away from it. I don't think they are crazy (though that 1 player is a big gap). What if for 2025 the Steelers:
- Didn't trade Pickens
- Didn't trade Minkah (giving them a real FS and no Jonnu)
- Played Cook all season

I can see that team beating anyone in the AFC. For 2026 they can basically run back the entire team (maybe not rodgers) + cap space + draft picks. QB is obviously still the question, but every year there are guys you can sign, players you can draft etc. And they should benefit from the coaching change, whoever they decide to go with.

You might have to squint, but you can see it. And so can they.

I’ve said all year that Pickens, who hated playing in the Steelers boring, creativity challenged offense and who already was a problem on the field (either lack of effort or mind numbingly stupid after play penalties) and off the field (sideline tantrums) would have behaved MUCH WORSE playing across from a guy that the Steelers just paid $150 million to. He wasn’t going to ball out in Pittsburgh like he did in Dallas and reportedly Dallas isn’t sure what to do about Pickens because he behaved like a total asshole toward the end of the season.

The Minkah thing, as much as I loved the guy, I honestly don’t think he would have been an upgrade over Ramsey. Dolphins fans were surprised at just how little Minkah helped their defense. I told them I wasn’t surprised.

I admire your optimistic take on the roster. Next season Watt and Heyward will be a year older. Metcalf will still have REALLY inconsistent hands. Highsmith finished 18th in the league in sacks with 9.5, the most by any Steeler. They need so many difference makers and they have nothing at QB.

Let's say there's no Watt. Are Steelers not okay with Highsmith, Herbig & Sawyer at OLB?

I think we know what Highsmith and Herbig are. Highsmith is a near 10 sack a year guy. He's good. Is he anything approaching elite? No.

Herbig is probably too small to play as an every down OLB in a 3-4. He's better situationally where he can get you 6 or 7 sacks per year.

Sawyer is the key. He looked meh for much of the year, but by the end of the season, he was playing about as well as Watt was. He was getting better pressure than I expected he would.

The sad part is, as much as I love Watt, we REALLY, REALLY should have traded him before last season, when he had value. Maybe you get a second rounder for him. Maybe a third rounder like they got for Pickens. Right now, a trade like that would look real, real good.

I just don't see difference makers on this defense like Watt and Heyward were in their prime. Perhaps Harmon can take the next step. Hopefully they throw another premium pick on the d-line. This team just has so many needs, obviously and especially QB.

[Mick]

As negative/pessimistic as i am about how desirable the steeler hc job is at this point,

Wow are we more attractive than the browns job. And buffalo should be a zillion times better than pittsburgh, but they are doing a hell of a job scaring people away. So…suddenly maybe we aren’t so bad?

After klint takes arizona or possibly Las Vegas, we can just about have our pick of the rest.

[K_C_]

As negative/pessimistic as i am about how desirable the steeler hc job is at this point,

Wow are we more attractive than the browns job. And buffalo should be a zillion times better than pittsburgh, but they are doing a hell of a job scaring people away. So…suddenly maybe we aren’t so bad?

After klint takes arizona or possibly Las Vegas, we can just about have our pick of the rest.

The Steelers are an attractive job because they don't fire head coaches. If you take the Steelers job, you can easily stick around 20 years even if you rarely compete for a Lombardi.

That's what makes the job so attractive.

[steelmann58]

Could they be looking for Mike for something. besides HC?

[swissvale72]

I’ve said all year that Pickens, who hated playing in the Steelers boring, creativity challenged offense and who already was a problem on the field (either lack of effort or mind numbingly stupid after play penalties) and off the field (sideline tantrums) would have behaved MUCH WORSE playing across from a guy that the Steelers just paid $150 million to. He wasn’t going to ball out in Pittsburgh like he did in Dallas and reportedly Dallas isn’t sure what to do about Pickens because he behaved like a total asshole toward the end of the season.

The Minkah thing, as much as I loved the guy, I honestly don’t think he would have been an upgrade over Ramsey. Dolphins fans were surprised at just how little Minkah helped their defense. I told them I wasn’t surprised.

I admire your optimistic take on the roster. Next season Watt and Heyward will be a year older. Metcalf will still have REALLY inconsistent hands. Highsmith finished 18th in the league in sacks with 9.5, the most by any Steeler. They need so many difference makers and they have nothing at QB.

Let's say there's no Watt. Are Steelers not okay with Highsmith, Herbig & Sawyer at OLB?

I think we know what Highsmith and Herbig are. Highsmith is a near 10 sack a year guy. He's good. Is he anything approaching elite? No.

Herbig is probably too small to play as an every down OLB in a 3-4. He's better situationally where he can get you 6 or 7 sacks per year.

Sawyer is the key. He looked meh for much of the year, but by the end of the season, he was playing about as well as Watt was. He was getting better pressure than I expected he would.

The sad part is, as much as I love Watt, we REALLY, REALLY should have traded him before last season, when he had value. Maybe you get a second rounder for him. Maybe a third rounder like they got for Pickens. Right now, a trade like that would look real, real good.

I just don't see difference makers on this defense like Watt and Heyward were in their prime. Perhaps Harmon can take the next step. Hopefully they throw another premium pick on the d-line. This team just has so many needs, obviously and especially QB.

RE: Highsmith...he missed 6 games due to injury, which I know is an issue as well, so his 9.5 sacks were in 11games, with snap counts averaging around 70%. Also, sacks aren't everything. This guy sets the fuckin edge. He may not be "elite" but he's goddamn good!!

Besides QB & WR, what are the "obvious" needs, as you see them?

[955876]

The Steelers used to be an attractive job

Fixed it for you.

This team just doesn’t seem serious about seriously contending.

I think this team THINKS they are serious but in reality are clueless how to achieve that. The do t call him Dunce Rooney for no reason.

This team is serious about doing things in a very rigid manner.

A strategy that has delivered a decade of no playoff wins.

And yet, I’m quite convinced this team wants to do exactly as they’ve been doing.

Hopefully I’m wrong and they hire a young innovative coach that rips up the script.

This team has been all about nepotism & rewarding loyal soldiers.

Does a new coach want be in a situation like that?

[Mick]

RE: Highsmith...he missed 6 games due to injury, which I know is an issue as well, so his 9.5 sacks were in 11games, with snap counts averaging around 70%. Also, sacks aren't everything. This guy sets the fuckin edge. He may not be "elite" but he's goddamn good!!

Besides QB & WR, what are the "obvious" needs, as you see them?

by PFF, ILB. They gave Wilson a 57 last year, and Queen a 44.

We need a DB as well, but worth noting we went most of 2025 without Deshon eliott, who had been very good.

But overall, we are looking to being ~17 solid/good starters back. Just lacking elite guys…denver has 8 all-pros, rams 6 etc. we had two, and one is a ST gunner…(and the other is like 37…)

[jeemie]

You’re correct thanks

Wasn't that about the disagreement of the drafting of Stenosis Jones in the 1st round? Good times...

The Stenosis Jones thing with IC was just bizarre because he just kept emphasizing that Jarvis; “was a football player.”

No shit? Sure, he’s a football player that just happens to be awful at football and frai due to his neck condition.

The Cotch Watch broke IC. Killed him for all I know but I don’t think he ever returned after that.

Hope the dude’s okay.

I remember that IC insisted that Tomlin was correct in continuing to start Randle El at WR and also in punt returns, and that Brown and Sanders had to be content with two dogs, one bone because you can't play rookies because rookies are prone to the "big mistake".

Even though Randle El was screwing up left and right.

Took an injury to El in the Pats' game for Brown and Sanders to finally both get hats, and boy did they make IC look ridiculous.