Pittsburgh Steelers Fact or Fiction: Beautiful 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 the Steelers winning another preseason game, trading for an inside linebacker and T.J. Watt still without an extension. It seems like the musical selection that best fits this week’s Fact or Fiction could be Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”.

Here’s a sample...

Every day is so wonderful

Then suddenly it’s hard to breathe

Now and then I get insecure

From all the pain

I’m so ashamed

I am beautiful no matter what they say

Words can’t bring me down

I am beautiful in every single way

Yes, words can’t bring me down, oh no

So don’t you bring me down today

To all your friends you’re delirious

So consumed in all your doom

Trying hard to fill the emptiness

The pieces gone, left the puzzle undone

Is that the way it is?

You are beautiful no matter what they say

Words can’t bring you down, oh no

You are beautiful in every single way

Yes, words can’t bring you down, oh no

So don’t you bring me down today

No matter what we do

(No matter what we do)

No matter what we say

(No matter what we say)

We’re the song inside the tune (Yeah)

Full of beautiful mistakes

Are these lyrics really related here? Or maybe I just wanted an excuse to listen to some arly 2K pop? But anyhow, there is surely a lot to wonder about. BTSC tries to answer some of the poignant wonderings ahead of time. Take a look at some bold statements on this and more as we label them as fact or fiction.

Are we on point? Only time will tell.

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T.J. Watt is holding out for a new contract

Fiction

A Pittsburgh media “know-it-all” is alleging that T.J. Watt is abandoning his team and that this is straight-up a holdout. That’s a perception that I just can’t get on board with. With Watt being present in Pittsburgh for camp and conditioning instead of practicing, it is definitely much different than fans are accustomed too. But is it new? No, it is not. In fact, Cam Heyward did it to a degree in 2020. Mike Tomlin doesn’t comment much on players that aren’t practicing, but his thoughts shared don’t exhibit too much to be concerned about. “That negotiation process is going to run its course. Some run their courses faster than others. If I remember correctly, Cam Heyward had less than 100 percent participation when he was in a similar circumstance a short time ago.” Watt may not be a full participant, but he’s not holding out.

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The Steelers are going to trade a quarterback

Fact

The Steelers have four quarterbacks that are roster-capable for every single franchise in the National football League. Ben Roethlisberger is unequivocally the starter. That’s something we absolutely know. A battle is ensuing between Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins for the No. 2 position, while QB3 may go down to the player that doesn’t win the backup job and Joshua Dobbs. The Steelers have surrendered a fourth-rounder in the Isaiahh Loudermilk deal on draft day, a fifth in last year’s Avery Williamson trade and a sixth in this week’s Joe Schobert deal. If the three backups continue to show worth, Kevin Colbert will get a late round pick out of one of them. He’s done it before, getting a fifth in 2019 for Dobbs.

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Outside linebacker is now one of the deepest stables on the Steelers

Fact

It absolutely is T.J. Watt is an All-Pro and consistently a NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Alex Highsmith looks to be making a huge jump from a promising rookie year and recently-acquired Melvin Ingram is a former Pro Bowl selection for the Chargers that is getting first-team reps in Watt’s spot. With sixth-round value pick Quincy Roche’ and UDFA Jamir Jones both tearing up and getting to quarterbacks in two preseason games, the Steelers are not just living on the edge, but they’re living large.

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Steelers fans need to quit worrying about Kevin Dotson

Fact

Kevin Dotson has been the source of so much talk from media and fans and it all started because of an unnamed source saying that he was out of shape. He debunked that with workout photos and looking good upon his arrival to camp. But then he was banged up and there was more worry and speculation after Mike Tomlin’s comments about Dotson starting. “He has done nothing to earn first-team reps,” Tomlin said last week. “What are we talking about? He’s a second-year guy who hasn’t worked.” But when he played against the Eagles on Thursday in Philadelphia, he looked spectacular and like the most-talented player on the offensive line. There’s a trend going on here. Every time there is negative press about Kevin Dotson, No. 69 proves that talk is cheap.

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The acquisition of Joe Schobert isn’t going to solve any of the problems over the middle

Fiction

Joe Schobert was always good against the Steelers and was the main tormentor in the loss before being overshadowed by the infamous Myles Garrett/Mason Rudolph incident. In fact, the former Brown and Jaguar is a tackling machine and has more career interceptions than sacks. To say that he is good in coverage is an understatement. Schobert is an upgrade over the recently-retired Vince Williams and the current starter at buck, Robert Spillane. At 27, he is in his prime and isn’t that far removed from his Pro Bowl season. If the former Jack Lambert Award winner from his time as a teammate of T.J. Watt in Wisconsin does what he was brought in to do, the middle of the Pittsburgh defense could be formidable.

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