Pittsburgh Steelers Fact or Fiction: Lionel Richie and the Commodores edition

There’s always so much to talk about when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the inquiries surrounding the black-and-gold are definitely ever-evolving, especially this week with Art Rooney II speaking out about different areas of his franchise. It seems like Art 2 is going the route of Lionel Richie and the Commodores in a few ways. I think about their songs Sail On and Easy after hearing them speak the other day. Here’s a sample.

“Sail on down the line. About half a mile or so. Don’t really wanna know where you’re going. Maybe once or twice, time after time I tried to hold on to what we got, but now you’re going. And I don’t mind about the things you’re gonna sail on. I give all my money and my time. I know it’s a shame, but I’m giving you back your name. Yes, I’ll be on my way. I won’t be back to stay. I guess I’ll move along”.

or

“Why in the world would anybody put chains on me, yeah? I’ve paid my dues to make it. Everybody wants me to be what they want me to be, I’m not happy when I try to fake it, no, That’s why I’m easy, yeah. I’m easy like Sunday morning”.

Ponder whether they are related here. But anyhow, there is surely a lot to wonder about. BTSC tries to answer some of the poignant wonderings ahead of time. Take a gander at some bold statements on this and more as we label them as fact or fiction.

Are we on point? Only time will tell.

If the Steelers are serious about getting a quarterback, they are going to have to trade up in the first round

Fact

First, I’m not exactly sure how serious the Steelers are about getting a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. Sure, they are going need to address it soon, but it all hinges on Ben Roethlisberger. This is a stretch, but if for some insane reason the Steelers extend their veteran quarterback past 2021, it is hardly likely that the Men of Steel will go all-out for the quarterback. They may be more likely to draft help for BTR instead of paying a high price for the future to languish on the bench. But if they do go ahead and look towards the future, they need to look for a blue chipper. You want top tier-talent and not a guy late in the first round or any lower than that. You are looking for the next Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger and not J.P. Losman. A guy that falls to them at 24, might not be the best bet for the Steelers.

Art Rooney II’s comments about the running game signals the end in black-and-gold for James Conner

Fact

There’s nothing like the death knell of hearing the big boss at work single out the department that you are the leader of as the team’s main liability. Art Rooney II said, “We obviously are going to have some changes on the roster at running back this year with James being a free agent. There’s no question (the Steelers’ run game) something that we have to address, everybody in the building agrees that you can’t finish 32nd in the league in rushing and feel you’re going to have a successful season.” When the boss says something like that and your name is the only one mentioned, that’s bad. Even though James Conner is not the sole reason for the Steelers’ run game woes, he’s the one that they are looking at. The running backs coach was retained and Rooney basically said that Conner needs to be replaced. Conner was a great story in Pittsburgh, but it seems like the Steel City chapters have come to a conclusion.

Ben Roethlisberger will take a significant pay cut in 2021

Fiction

It’s easy to say that this would indeed happen, but when it comes down to it...how much less is Ben willing to take to stay with the Steelers. AR2 said that the Steelers would welcome Ben back but not at the current salary cap hit. That seemed like the chairman was taking the writing on the wall and making it public that the team may be forced to part ways. It could have been a preemptive move or the start of making Ben’s contract as the excuse to part ways. It really could have been genuine. Once again, Ben saying that he doesn’t care about his pay in 2021 is a way to look like a team guy and he probably believes it. But the doesn’t mean that he isn’t concerned about 2022 and 2023. He’s going to want compensated. But the Steelers can’t kick that can down the road much longer and I’m not sure if No. 7 (or anyone for that matter) is willing to put less money where his mouth is.

Maurkice Pouncey will retire before the start off the new NFL year

Fiction

I would have said yes to this, but if Ben somehow renegotiates his contract...he is going to want his long-time center back. Pouncey is under contract for one more season, but all signs pointed to his retirement before 2021. With Roethlisberger’s agent, Ryan Tollner, talked about Ben taking less to come back. He singled-out No. 53 by name as almost a condition for his client’s playing ball with the franchise on the field and at the negotiating table.

Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan will be the next QB coach in Pittsburgh

Fiction

Of course, this is merely a joke and a play on names. However, the way that things are going down for Pittsburgh’s “Men of Steel Blades“...You never do know. The Steelers haven’t hired a quarterbacks coach yet, but they definitely will. they are not going to go about things in the same manner in which they did when Randy Fichtner assumed the offensive coordinator position and doubled as the QB coach, the position he was promoted from. The Steelers have talked to Mike Sullivan, a long-time assistant in the NFL with OC and QB coach experience. But it won’t be the guy whose only knowledge of quarterbacking is only on the power play.

Check out the Fact or Fiction podcast to learn even more about these topics, and their status, heading into this week’s game and listen for more on the player below.