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If the comments threads at BTSC are any indication, there is a lot of dissatisfaction out in the black-and-gold ranks. That makes sense. 2-5 is uncharted water for most fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the most successful NFL team of the Super Bowl era.
Everyone seems to have thoughts about how to fix the team’s problems (I do too, of course), but if we’re being honest, most of our “solutions” are only best-case-scenarios. We’ll never get exactly what we want and nothing else. Would you take a career year from both Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith, for example, if it meant that T.J. Watt was going to miss two months of football? Before the season, you might have considered this. Today, maybe not.
So how about a game of the old classic “would you rather (Pittsburgh Steelers edition)”?
The Rules:
I’ll throw out ten scenarios below, with polls. None of them will be fair. There are no obvious answers and essential “good” moves on this list, but that’s the point. Vote on the polls, and let’s argue it out in the comments. Let’s go.
1: Late Season Streak?
Poll
1: Would you rather...
This poll is closed
-
36%
A – The Steelers go on a run in the late season and sneak into the playoffs with a AFC’s 7th seed, but lose in the first round again?
(312 votes) -
63%
B – The Steelers utterly collapse and secure a top-3 draft choice in 2023, but they (and we) have to endure all the fallout of a failed season?
(544 votes)
(A couple points to ponder on this one: (1) The Steelers aren’t firing Mike Tomlin in either scenario. That’s not how this organization works. Anyone else’s job is up for grabs though. (2) There’s a psychological cost to a young team enduring a lost season. A “culture of winning” doesn’t happen by mistake. (3) Any season could wind up being Cam Heyward’s last. We all loved that Big Ben went out with a playoff year, but hated that he ended with a blowout loss.)
2: Chase Claypool?
Poll
2: Would you rather...
This poll is closed
-
45%
A – The Steelers trade Chase Claypool for a mid-round pick and he becomes a star immediately for his new team?
(394 votes) -
54%
B – The Steelers keep Claypool, and he continues to show flashes but frustratingly under-perform his potential?
(469 votes)
3: Matt Canada?
Poll
3: Would you rather...
This poll is closed
-
81%
A – The Steelers fire Matt Canada on the bye week, and offensive playcalling duties pass to Mike Tomlin (who isn’t going to give that gameday duty to a first-time playcaller with a rookie QB in the middle of a season)?
(714 votes) -
18%
B – The Steelers retain Canada and keep doing what they’re currently doing, with mostly the same results?
(157 votes)
(Note: In either scenario, they’re running the same general offensive scheme, since you’re not installing a new offense at midseason.)
4: Division vs History?
Poll
4: Would you rather…
This poll is closed
-
61%
A – The Steelers finish on a 4-5 streak, in which they sweep the division, but lose every other game? (They miss the postseason, but don’t land in the top 8 of the draft either.)
(495 votes) -
13%
B – The Steelers finish 5-4, with the exact opposite as the previous answer — they are swept in division games, but beat everyone else? (They still miss the postseason, and their AFCN record is 1-5.)
(107 votes) -
24%
C - The Steelers finish on a 7-2 streak, missing the playoffs by one game? (Those two losses include the week 17 game against Baltimore and a loss to the Raiders on the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.)
(197 votes)
5: Assistant Coaches?
Poll
5: Would you rather…
This poll is closed
-
69%
A – The Steelers defense dominates in the season’s final stretch, but then loses both Teryl Austin and Brian Flores to head coaching opportunities?
(567 votes) -
30%
B – The Steelers offense explodes in the season’s final stretch, but that buys Matt Canada at least two more years as offensive coordinator?
(249 votes)
6: Whose backups do you trust?
Poll
6: Would you rather…
This poll is closed
-
74%
A – Najee Harris decides his foot injury is too much, and shuts it down for the season, leaving the running game to Jaylen Warren, Bennie Snell, and Derek Watt?
(608 votes) -
25%
B – T.J Watt decides his pec/knee injuries are too much, and he shuts it down for the season, leaving the edge rushing to Malik Reed and Jamir Jones (to compliment Alex Highsmith)?
(212 votes)
7: Who would you miss more?
Poll
7: Would you rather…
This poll is closed
-
40%
A – Lose Cam Heyward to a season-ending injury?
(322 votes) -
59%
B – Lose Chris Boswell to a season-ending injury?
(482 votes)
8: Shift your focus?
Poll
8: Would you rather…
This poll is closed
-
68%
A – The offense gets its rhythm, averaging 350-400 yards and 27 points per game through the final nine games, BUT the kick and punt coverage slips to last in the league?
(542 votes) -
31%
B – The defense regains its splash potential, leading the NFL in sacks and takeaways over the last nine games, BUT finishes last in the league in third-down percentage over the stretch?
(252 votes)
9: What about the draft?
Poll
9: Would you rather...
This poll is closed
-
65%
A - The Steelers draft a corner in the first round (which they need, but which they have a spotty record of developing)?
(517 votes) -
31%
B - The Steelers draft an edge rusher in the first round (which they don’t urgently need, but they’re very good at developing)?
(251 votes) -
2%
C - The Steelers draft a wide receiver in the first round (which they absolutely don’t need, but which they’re the best in football at developing)?
(20 votes)
10: Who do you miss most?
Poll
10: Would you rather...
This poll is closed
-
32%
A - Mike Hilton resigned with the Steelers this off-season to play slot corner for the next three years?
(263 votes) -
36%
B - Stephon Tuitt had a change of heart and came back to the Steelers this off-season at defensive end for the next three years?
(295 votes) -
30%
C - David DeCastro found a miracle surgery for whatever forced his departure last year, and came back to replace Kevin Dotson at guard for just 1.5 years, but he can start immediately?
(243 votes)
Okay, see you in the comments....
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