Steelers offseason: Ed Bouchette on Mike Tomlin’s future, preferring Justin Fields at QB and more
On the weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, host Adam Bittner welcomes Ed Bouchette, former Steelers insider for the Post-Gazette and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, to react to the team’s 2024 season and where it goes from here. Is Mike Tomlin closer to a messy exit like Chuck Noll? Or a Super Bowl-winning revival like Bill Cowher? How would Dan Rooney have handled the team’s current playoff wins drought differently than son Art Rooney II as owner, if at all? And is Tomlin’s long tenure more about loyalty? Or belief in doing business the way ownership would like to?
Ed tackles those questions, then weighs in on roster issues. Why does he prefer Justin Fields over Russell Wilson or outside options at quarterback? What are his feelings about WR George Pickens and whether GM Omar Khan should explore trading him this offseason? Is it time to break up the defensive core of Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick? And why does Ed like Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton as young players who can grow into bigger roles?
Then our duo wraps the show with some Hall of Fame talk with a focus on Hines Ward and James Harrison.
For more sports, visit post-gazette.com.
27 comments
Always liked to hear Ed's takes on the Steelers. Good points on the QB and WR situation. I especially like his takes on the defense.
I thought Ed retired???
Professional Apologists. Tomlin evaluated and got the QBs he wanted. His Defense gave up 300 yards in the Playoffs!
Nothing will change if our coach will change his style of football. No matter what qb is here they’ll be handicapped by Tomlin. Can you honestly tell me that Jaden Daniel’s would have had the ability to do here what they let him do in Washington??
Great stuff from Mr Ed.
Art11 didn’t learn a thing from his father Dan Rooney.
I loved Kordell, he was way ahead of his time. I remember the frustrations of watching him throw interceptions though.
I think Pickens definitely has to go. Talent be damned.
This guys mad. Brister, Odonnel, Kordel were average
Something is off with Roman Wilson. I know Wilson had the ankle injury early but his first year is a zero. Wide receivers are usually plug and play position.
A truthful well thought interview. Ed understands and has seen it all
Minkah had 3 ints not 1
2 were in the last game
Really miss Ed, he was one of the few next to Bob Labriola who dared to speak his mind
I actually believe in Justin Fields talent and the coaching that he will receive from Arthur Smith. I believe Justin Fields is a 1st rd talent that willl be geeat for the Steelers much like Jim Plunkett was for the raiders after being the #1 pick for the patriots back in the 70s but turned bis career around with the raiders and won two Superbowls. I always believe in giving players with talent who are not trouble makers or come with issues and drama an opportunity to prove themselves and this is great for Justin Fields in my opinion. Plus the Steelers actually need him more than he needs them, or both need each other.
Remember some of those playoff losses Ben was under center😁😁😷
This is a bad interview for the Tomlin truthers who want to say he doesn't draft players, doesn't hire coaches, and doesn't influence the gameplan. Listen to yourselves. Pure idiocy. Let me guess, the media is lying. Every media member says the same thing, it's also practical to think that a HC with that much tenure isnt answering to anyone. WAKE UP!!!!!
Having capable players and expecting competitiveness when it matters most is not spoiled.
They are not willing to lose greatly in order to build greatly. Just dumb.
25:04 Snubbed? WTF? How about LC Greenwood?
Ed – patience? Stop doing the same damn thing! Get to losing big so we can rebuild!!!
Sign Justin Fields to a 3 year deal. And draft Will Howard. I'm telling y'all. Whoever gets will Howard is gonna have a great quarterback in the NFL. Howard is a great football player and very smart. I sure hope the Steelers find a way to get this young man on the roster…
Either you have a QB or you’re looking for one. The Steelers have been looking for one since Ben retired.
Right on Ed – The Bubster and Kordell were totally jobbed by the foolish coaching staff. Been saying it for decades!!
If you want to tank the season go with Fields because you will definitely need another QB. So you can draft one in 26. But fans will have to be okay with losing for about 4 years.
Crazy thought on trading Watt. But we are not winning anything with him. So mabey.
Never ever should let go go He's the best player on offense
No don't get rig of TJ ! Mika yes let him go
I'd keep Pickens.
Because from what I can tell, it doesn't seem to matter if the player in question is talented and doesn't become a distraction for the team, no matter how well he plays.
We see the negativity aimed at Justin Fields as an example of this. I'm begging someone to prove otherwise.
Here we have a talented young QB hoping to make his mark with the franchise, and listening to the media, you'd thought Fields was a stubborn stain on the roster.
You see people suggesting old dinosaurs like Aaron Roger's and Kirk Cousins to lead the team and then we have the Sam Darnold crowd, as if Darnold didn't have his struggles.
So what do fans really want here? Franchise QBs don't simply fall Into your lap.
Fans don't even seem to think about the gamble Fields took to be traded to Pittsburgh.
Imagine John Elway, a 1st rd pick, being traded to Denver for a 6th rd pick, because the Colts didn't bother to build around him for 3 seasons.
Constantly changing coaching staff, while losing decent players and not addressing many of the problems with the roster.
Would Elway have gotten a chance in Pittsburgh under the same circumstances?
Justin is going to have this stigma of a loser, simply because he wasn't traded for a much higher value pick.
And the fact is, he wanted to be in Pittsburgh.
The entire situation surrounding Pittsburgh is one of a spoiled city and fan base after Roethlisberger retired.
Let's face it. It's like dealing with the spoiled rich wife that never had problems that were actually life changing.
Hopefully, Rooney twists Tomlin's arm and gives Justin a decent shot. The way I see it, it's all he's asking for. The Steelers still need to build up their offense regardless. And they certainly need to do something about their defensive line.
But give this young man a chance before you go full on Hunger Games on him.