The Jig Is Up: Steelers Offseason, Vol. 9, Free Agency Frenzy
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.
Talking Ceilings and Floors
Let’s talk about ceiling and floors, and I’m not talking about Bob Vila’s line of work.
I’m talking about what fans think the win ceilings and floors will be for both Mason Rudolph, if he were called into play a 17-game season, and Aaron Rodgers, if he chooses to play for the Steelers.
We talked about this on The Steelers Preview podcast, and it was interesting to hear everyone’s responses to this question. As for me, I think the ranges of wins are as follows:
Mason Rudolph: 8-10 wins
Aaron Rodgers: 9-11 wins
Is it possible Rudolph’s ceiling is that much different from Rodgers? It all depends on the improvement of the offensive line, and the ability for the front office to round out the roster. Could Rudolph play well enough to win 11 games? If the ball bounces their way, absolutely. Could Rodgers win 12 games? Sure, but the bottom could fall out for both quarterbacks too.
It’s a crap shoot at this juncture, and with plenty of moves yet to happen.
Could Mason be the bridge?
One important facet of Mason Rudolph’s return is the fact he didn’t just sign a one-year contract, but a two-year contract. Even if the Steelers sign Rodgers to a contract, there is a strong chance Rudolph could be viewed as the bridge quarterback until the Steelers find their next “guy”.
Let’s go down the path so many fans want to go down, and that is the theory the Steelers want to just get through 2025 before drafting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. If that’s the case, Rudolph would be a great candidate to help ease the transition. In other words, Rudolph has the chance to be the welcome committee for a new quarterback, something he never received as a rookie back in 2018.
GP’s Future
The trade for DK Metcalf certainly rocked the Steelers fan base, and the NFL world, last weekend before the start of free agency. For me, I saw this news and wondered what it meant for the future of George Pickens. Some people put a lot of stock in jersey numbers, and it was announced Thursday Metcalf will let Pickens wear No. 14, and he will wear No. 4.
But could Pickens be traded at some point this offseason?
While the Steelers would love to get a 2nd or 3rd Round pick back for Pickens, the team might also want to put their best roster on the field in 2025, and that would involve Pickens. In my opinion, the Steeles will be listening to offers for Pickens before the 2025 NFL Draft, and if someone offers them a 2nd Round pick, or even a 3rd and a conditional pick in 2026, they’d take the deal.
We’ll see how this plays out…
It’s about insurance
The signing of Mason Rudolph made some fans happy, while others saw it as a white flag of surrender if the Steelers had to turn to Rudolph for any duration of time. As for me, I view it as nothing more than an insurance policy. Could Rudolph quarterback the team to a decent record? I think he could, but if the team is able to acquire Aaron Rodgers he would again be a great insurance policy if Rodgers isn’t capable of playing at a high level at this stage of his career.
And this theory extends beyond the quarterback position. The moves made at cornerback this offseason are a great example of the team bolstering the lineup and having quality depth (insurance). It doesn’t mean they won’t draft at the position, but prevents a 2024 situation with wide receiver where they went into the season with a pretty bare cupboard.
How many positions still need starters?
On my Friday “Let’s Ride” podcast, which you can hear in the player below, I talked about positions I feel the Steelers still need quality starters at this juncture of the offseason.
Some of these positions will be answered in the draft, but how many times does a first round pick, especially picking at No. 21, come in and be a starter immediately? Especially with out the Steelers treat their rookies, always choosing to ease them into action.
Nonetheless, I chose the following positions which still need starters at some point this offseason:
- QB (Could be addressed by signing Rodgers)
- RB (Love Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, but they need another RB who can carry more of the load)
- DL (The Steelers need to double-dip along the defensive line in both free agency and the draft.)
Other than that, the Steelers goals are to add depth at other positions.
Why the hate for A-Rod?
Aaron Rodgers is a polarizing figure, there is no doubt about it, but there are a lot of people who can’t stand him. I’m not sure why, but everyone seems to have their own reasons. Some hate how he is on the Pat McAfee show once a week. Others hate how he can call out teammates from time-to-time. Some call him the ultimate narcissist. Some say he is nothing but a distraction for his off-field antics.
All those things can be true, but they also describe a lot of NFL players.
I do recall another quarterback who used to have a weekly radio show, threw teammates under the bus constantly in the name of “motivation”, had plenty of off-field issues, and loved to make it about himself.
Know who I’m talking about? Good ol’ No. 7.
I’m not even going to touch on Rodgers thoughts on politics and/or the health care system in our country. That doesn’t have anything to do with football, and I don’t turn to professional athletes or celebrities to give me direction in those realms. To wrap this up, for me Rodgers is a different guy. He handles his business different than most, and is in the public eye. The ultimate question I have regarding Rodgers is this…
How many games can he win if he is wearing the black-and-gold this season?
That’s it.
The Ultimate DK Metcalf Highlight
When the Steelers sent a 2nd Round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Seattle Seahawks for DK Metcalf, I could think of only one play which will always be the gold standard for Metcalf highlights.
It isn’t a touchdown catch, a motivational speech, or a one-handed reception.
It’s this…and it will always be this…
When I hear the name DK Metcalf, this is the only thing I think of. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/nwBI0jYMM7
— Jeff Hartman (@JHartman_PIT) March 10, 2025
What a physical specimen he is.
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: Ross Ventrone
Ventrone is a Pittsburgh kid, and made the University of Pittsburgh team as a walk-on and was on the team’s scout team before transferring to Villanova. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots, and played in New England from 2010-2011, and also again in 2015.
He was signed by the Steelers in 2013, and spent that season on the team’s practice squad. In 2014 he was promoted to the 53-man roster and was credited with seven tackles in nine games. In 2015 Ventrone was waived after Martavis Bryant served his 4-game suspension, and he was picked up by the Patriots off waivers.
Ventrone had a second stint with the Steelers in 2015 for the team’s regular season finale and he spent the offseason with the Steelers. In August he was placed on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury and received an injury settlement from the team. That was his last time being in an NFL organization.
The most notable thing about Ventrone was likely his long hair flowing out the back of his helmet as he ran full speed down the field on special teams.
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 offseason.
I’d put the win losses pretty much where you have them. If you held my feet to the fire I’d probably say Rudolph is one lower – so 7-9.
I think if Mason wants to be a Charlie Batch type figure for this team he can be. Call that role whatever you want, but I think he’s a great value at his salary. I also think he can be a nice asset to this team for more than 2 years if he want’s to embrace that role. I’m very glad he’s here because it puts pressure on Rodgers to come down from on high, and let us all know what team he’ll be gracing with his presence. What a joke.
I hope GP’s future is here in Pittsburgh. Lot’s of people want him out, but I’m not in that group. He’s a passionate player that hates losing – what’s wrong with that? I wish there was more of that on this roster. He frankly reminds me of T.O., not as good as him, but if he can channel his energy into improving his craft he can be really, really good. If I were going to move him, I’d wait until the trade deadline. By then you know if the season is a loss, and you may get more for him from a team looking to replace an injured starter. Zero chance I’m taking a three for him now when I can let him walk and likely get a third round comp – it’s gotta be a 2 or 1.
I don’t like Rodgers for reasons like exactly what he’s doing right now – making a situation all about him. He’s a massive me player. Both his former teams have been happy to eat huge amounts of cap space to get him out of their buildings, that speaks volumes to me. He on several occasions has thrown teammates and coaches under the buss rather than take accountability for team failures in which he indeed has a hand. Simply put he’s not the type of leader I want on my team, yet he still expects to be paid top money. It’s one thing to acquire a player only to later find out he an ass, it’s quite another to know for a fact he’s a petulant ass and acquire him anyway. Caveat emptor Omar.
I really like the Batch comparison because I do think he could play that role. In the world of soccer, I like to call a player like that “a super sub”.
I think the only concerning and fair criticism of GP in my opinion is his up and down effort. If he can work through that, I would have no problems with him. Hes not a locker room problem. He doesn’t have off field character problems. He simply wants the ball and wants to win. When we win we don’t hear a peep about him. He just doesn’t handle losing and not getting the ball during losses well.
In regard to Pickens, I see one of two things happening.
1.) They tag him twice then give him a fair pay bump. I think Pickens would want the same as Metcalf, though.
B.) They try to offload him to get a 2nd round pick back. Or perhaps a 3rd that Khan could use to bump to a 2nd.