Soul Rebel

Love Phillips and agree he could be our big fish FA (I’m also onboard with Lloyd). Quay was on my radar but once I read how poor he was in coverage and a liability, I kind of soured on him here. Watching Rozeboom and all these jags/practice squad LBs get torched in coveragethe past two years, I’m leaning more towards Lloyd or Dean to co-captain this D along with Brown.

Seems like a loaded EDGE class. though I think we don't spend a premium pick there with Scourton/Princely showing production and potential. Concepcion at 19 is intriguing and seen ARSB comps with his shiftiness, high IQ and YAC ability. He and TMac would be a nasty 1-2 combo at stretching a defense. Brenan Thompson could be that day 2 speedy/slot guy that could boost his draft stock in Mobile. Sam Hecht could be a later selection for C depending on how we are planning to attack that position in FA and our own previous guys. Shelton from PSU is an interesting developmental tackle that if he can get locked into an NFL strength program and rock up, could be good down the road. Speaking of PSU, Dani Dennis Sutton was a guy last year I was big on and was bummed he headed back to Happy Valley. I think he can be a helluva NFL player, and if he can show improvement in his pass rush moves, I wouldn't be mad at him in a trade-back situation.

In theory, it makes sense and it would be so nice to have this position locked in with the league's top center at only 26 years old. If there's a way Tillis can work the numbers so Linderbaum's big money doesn't start hitting until '27, that could work. Moton costs us $7M in dead cap post 6/1 in '27 and '28, but opens up $21M in 2027. Linderbaum is arguably going to be paid as thee top C in the league and rightfully so. His '26 cap hit has to be small to make sense for us filling other areas and justifying an OL combined salary that resembles the US defense budget.

I totally get it and not trying to go full homer here, but Seattle had the worst preseason (August 2025) odds to win the NFCW and O/U of 8.5 wins. This franchise should not be confused with Seattle, but too early to shut down a projected + 2 win total knowing the roster is still being improved, IMO.

I want the following: LB - Devin Lloyd (our big money splash) I'm also interested in Nakobe Dean if we go the cheaper route. His size is a concern beside Wallace, but Dean is a Dan Morgan type of alpha leader of the defense. He's often called the heart of the Philly defense and would absolutely bring a swagger and be our field general on defense. We need this so badly and I'd almost rather go with him because Wallace is no guarantee to ever hit his potential, so maybe we go with Dean and find a Wallace replacement in on day 2. EDGE - Boye Mafe (SEA) I think he's a great blend of pass rush prowess, age and experience. We have our potential youngsters in Scourton and Umanmielen, let's add a vet from a successful franchise to bring some heat. Bye bye Wonnum....bye bye Jones. We roll with Mafe-Scourton-Umanmielen TE - Cade Otton (TB) Again, we have youth in this position w/ Sanders and Evans. Sanders is tracking similarly to Ian Thomas (age/stats) and wonder if he will ever be the TE we thought we stole in the 4th round. Evans looks legit, but more of a balanced/blocker. Sign Otton, who Dave is familiar with and save some money by cutting Tremble. Also allows us to roll Otton-Sanders-Evans in 13 personnel WR - Wan'dale Robinson or Rashid Shaheed I wonder if either of these will be priced out of our range based on age and what they bring. We do already have a 5'8" WR with Horn, Jr. so I'd see the argument against Robinson. However, the latter is still only 25 and just hit a 1k yard receiving season with suspect QB play in NY and an elite talent in Nabers on the roster. SEA gave up two '26 draft picks for Shaheed and he has stepped in nicely for the 'Hawks...doubt they let him walk. I also saw Doubs on the FA list and wonder if he'd be what we need. We need a separator that can be a deep threat to keep defenses honest. TMac/Coker are the bigger receivers, but not necesarily guys that scare a defense....would Doubs be that guy? SAF I'd like an upgrade here and wonder if we wait out the FA period until the latter stages if someone like Ar'Darious Washington or Jaylinn Hawkins lingers and there's a discount later in the game. Nick Scott can F off and I hope he never suits up for us again.

I see the logic in what you're saying, but I'd also say there were games with a bit more talent on the roster that some of the L's are actually W's. AZ - We don't get off to a crappy start and if this game is later in the season when Bryce is a bit more comfortable, I think we beat the Cards NO - At least one of, if not both of these games would've gone our way SF - Perfect opportunity to snag a win on the road that Purdy handed to us, but we couldn't do anything offensively TB - Final game was winnable in Tampa All this to say, I think 8 wins is about where we were at in 2025 if you take the games we barely won and combined them against the games that we barely lost. Add 5-6 new pieces in FA and the draft. We went head to head and almost beat the Rams in a meaningful playoff game that gave a lot of the youth that experience to take into 2026 and beyond, and I do think 10-11 wins is achievable next year. Not guaranteed, but much the way folks thought we could get to 8 or 9 wins this year as the ceiling, I think 10-11 is the new ceiling for next year.

Agree wholeheartedly that a youngster beside Brown would be welcomed with open arms. A’Shawn is a great rotational guy but I want someone with a bit more pass rush juice and younger legs helping Brown out. I feel like we are doing with DB, what we did with Cam. Knowing how dominant they are as a 1-of-1 player, we aren’t supporting them with more talent around them. Putting JAGs like Shy and Ray out there were awful choices. I LOVE what the Rams have with done w/ Fiske-Verse-Young-Turner. Same with SEA - Murphy/Hall (draft) & Williams/Lawerence (trades). I think 2024 was a rough draft but our FO learned from it and had a successful ‘25 draft. I think this crew can find 3-4 starters again and land another late round/UDFA gem like Coker and Fitzgerald, we’re in business. We’re right where we should be (possibly a win or two/division crown early actually), and won’t be complete even with this offseason. I also think with a successful FA/draft, we’re at worst a 10-win team, and favorites to win the NFCS.

I agree that Icky’s injury has tossed a curveball at our offseason plans for sure. Knowing that Moton’s days are numbered as well only point more in that direction. I will say though, we have a combination of two second-year recent draftees and a couple of JAGs at EDGE. I think this is the prime time to balance they younger guys out with a vet EDGE vs another 1st or 2nd rounder. Same goes for TE & WR. We’ve spent the draft capital there, let’s add a young complimentary vet to these units rather than more inexperienced youth. TBH, I would throw a day 3 pick at a shifty/speedy WR in the mold of Tez Johnson or a McMillan type like Tampa has done.

I do wonder how much input (if any) the Steelers have asked of Tepper's thoughts on EE. I know the relationship was kinda disjointed when Big Ballz left Pittsburgh, but for such a prestigious brand with a history of top notch coaches, I wonder if they would touch base with Tepps.

If I’m earmarking the Panthers to spend big on an EDGE (which we should) I’m going after Jaelen Phillips. He turns 27 this summer and would be more of a long term signing vs. Hendrickson, IMO. I feel like Dan will go after someone like he did Milton Williams last year, and my money is on Phillips, Lloyd or Dean. Maybe it’s Hendrickson but given the age, much the way we went after Moehrig, I think age plays into it. I will say though, seeing Demarcus Lawerence light it up in Seattle at 33 does provide hope….. I just don’t think Evero’s system can be compared to what’s being built in the PNW.

No way this guy is available at 19. If he is,and Styles or someone in that tier isn’t, Mauigoa is a no brainer. I bet he’s the first OL off the board. Still a lot of time until combine and pro days, but Mauigoa would be a slam dunk for me.

As others have said, this isn’t a bad hire per se. ATL has a QB issue that will be Stefanski’s top priority. They also dont have a 1st round pick this year, so if the fumble FA, the draft and don’t find a reliable QB in a short time frame, he will be out of a job again. If he gets a decent QB there’s enough firepower there on offense for Stefanski to cook.

Agreed, an outside playcaller that could use some of Dave’s concepts and “big picture” while infusing some fresh ideas and more fluid within-game adjustments would be welcomed. I also think our running game became very predictable and stalled out towards the end. It looked like the playbook wasn’t deep enough and they didn’t do a good job of Bryce being under center/empty backfieding it way too much.

The only option that allows both Dan and Dave to win here, is promoting Idzik to OC. This way, Dave can focus on the overall team concept and make sure he’s a HC more than a glorified OC that is overwhelmed. By the same token, I assume Idzik’s philosophy is a carbon copy of Canales’ since they’ve been connected at the hip forever. Much like marriage, this is the compromise and both leaders get what they want….while giving in to appease the other.

This is why Tillis is here and we need him to get over this transitional hump. We still have many weaknesses that need to be resolved in FA and the draft. Icky being out in ‘26 makes it harder to navigate….especially with Moton’s tenure coming to a close in the next couple years and Icky’s payday on the horizon. I would much prefer Linderbaum over Mayes or Corbett, just curious if we can afford it. Same goes for DL. We had Milton almost locked up but settled for Wharton. I wonder if we look to this again this offseason as it’s clear DB needs better talent beside him in the trenches. I don’t want to waste his prime.

Styles should be the pick if available. I know Allen is the consensus LB3, but I’m all in on the Texas LB, Anthony Hill Jr. Whether it’s at 19 (I think he moves up after the combine) or if we trade back a bit and add more picks, Inthink he can wear the dot for us. I also wouldn’t be opposed to a swing tackle that can help reinforce our future RT spot. I do think Mauigoa can fill in at LT in ‘26 but be our long term solution at RT for Moton. Good teams plan ahead for aging vets, especially on the OL. Who knows, maybe Icky turns out to be a better RT post-surgery. He’s rarely ever played the position but his strengths and build have always screamed RT.

These are the two big moves I’d make for the offense. We need more vets for slot & TE. We’ve drafted enough young guys at this point for a young game manager QB. Seattle gave a 4th & 5th this year for him, so not sure they’d let him go easily. That being said, he is the ideal FA slot that fits perfectly between TMac & Coker.

Do we still get draft comp if EE leaves by being hired elsewhere, since he was still under contract? Win-win for us. We get out from under Evero's system and gain draft capital.

$26M on year 5 is between Baker and Fields current salaries. I’d say in two years that’s probably below that talent level. As has been discussed already, it buys us time to figure out the long-term solution. I’d be more upset if we extend him before the end of the ‘26 season.

I’m torn here. Mu concern pre-season with Princely was his mouth/ego and wondering if he could back it up or if it would cash checks his rookie ass wasn’t able to support. I like a voice and someone that says what’s on their mind, but as a rookie, I needed to see Jared Verse or Will Anderson type production for all he was saying. That being said, he’s not wrong. I often times wondered why we saw so little of him and thought how on certain plays, he would’ve made an impact. He did not have a great year and was mediocre at best. When we drafted him, he was more of a project that would yield results in a couple years. I hope he didn’t burn a bridge yet and comes back in 2026 ready to earn his time and show the folks that doubt him that he belongs in the lineup. We are absolutely going to draft or bring in a FA EDGE so the clock is ticking on 3.

Though the scheme isn’t my fave and still very passive, I do agree about seeing it with a full arsenal this disposal. A true alpha at ILB, another edge opposite Scourton and one more dominating force on the DL to help out Brown and I think we see better results. We’ve spent three years loading Bryce up and surrounding him, we’re almost there with the D.

Overall, I think it speaks to inexperience vs experience and I do believe Dave needs to figure out the structure of this operation. He needs an OC. He also needs to either have more input with Evero or find a new DC. Wash has experience previously but I don’t know if I can stomach another season of Evero’s defense. I think it’s easier in hindsight to say we should use a timeout on defense, but you also want as many as possible with the ball and a long way to go. You figure one is earmarked to trot the ST unit out for the FG attempt, so giving Bryce two makes more sense to me. Evero letting their explosive offense trot down the field with just over two minutes left with no answer was wild. Putting pressure on Stafford is what got us back in the game. It’s also what won us the game the first time against LA. Sitting back in their normal “bend but don’t break” shell and letting an MVP vet pick you apart is horrible. It’s why the Rams were lighting us up in the first half too. Why move away from what helped give us the lead and proven to win a few weeks ago? I understand this D needs more talent and Evero is making it work with what he has, but that last drive should have looked different.

This and as others have said, his previous years of underperforming play makes me say no. FA is the way to go for sure as this years group is pretty loaded. In addition to Pitts, vets like Goedert, Likely, Otton, Njoku and Waller are a few to ponder. Sadiq would be an option at 19 too, but I wonder if we want to see if one of Sanders or Evans shakes free into a decent player while leaning on a more veteran presence for Bryce.