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.

The Unknown

This week has been dominated by the Steelers QB decision between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. This has once again segmented the Steelers fan base. Those who are onboard with the decision to move to Wilson, and those who believe Fields should remain the starter after a 4-2 star to the season. There are a lot of reasons why Mike Tomlin could be making this decision, but what it comes down to is the unknown. Could Tomlin live with Fields at quarterback? He absolutely could, but it is more about seeing what the unknown is with Wilson. It’s like asking for what’s behind Door No. 3 instead of the cash. Sure, you might get a new car, but you also might get a box of junk. Tomlin is taking Door No. 3 with Wilson, and hoping what he sees is better than what he was seeing with Fields. If it isn’t, he can always go back to Fields, but clearly Tomlin wasn’t willing to leave the game show with the cash, instead hoping for the unknown which could be better.

Get your popcorn ready…

Black-Eye for Omar?

The Steelers have made it crystal clear they both want and need a wide receiver since before the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite this being a very public desire, the Steelers have yet to land a receiver. In fact, they’ve missed out on more genuine receivers than actually landing one via trade or in free agency. The Steelers missing out on a wide receiver at multiple stages of the offseason absolutely could be viewed as a black-eye on General Manager (GM) Omar Khan. Despite Khan making several great moves in free agency and in the past two NFL Drafts, I can’t help but see this as a miss. Does it tarnish all of Khan’s image? No, but it certainly is a failure on his part to fill out the roster.

Can two QBs co-exist in one game plan?

It looks like the Steelers are going to be turning their attention to Russell Wilson as their starter for the foreseeable future, but there has also been plenty of talk about if the Steelers could potentially use both quarterbacks in-game. While this seems like it would be a great idea, I have my hesitations. No, this has nothing to do with ego or a player being called off the field. My hesitation with this would be how to orchestrate this plan without it being one giant red flag saying, “We are going to run the football.” Now, if they were to put Fields out there, and he runs at RPO, run-pass-option, and actually delivers a completed pass, that brings an entirely new dynamic into the mix. However, I doubt the Steelers offense would be both capable and willing to do this. It makes me wonder if the “using two quarterbacks” is nothing more than blowing smoke to stress the opposing defensive coordinators.

Voodoo Curse on the OLine?

Remember when the Steelers offensive line was one of the most consistent, as it pertains to availability? I recall Mason Cole missing a handful, as in 2-3 snaps, and that was the only time a lineman missed any playing time that year. Well, 2024 is shaping up to be the polar opposite. At this point, you would have to wonder if there would be any lineman who doesn’t miss 2-3 games this season. With Zach Frazier sidelined for at least this week, Isaac Seumalo missing the first four games of the season, Troy Fautanu and James Daniels on IR, it leaves just Broderick Jones and Dan Moore Jr. who have remained healthy. I knocked on wood, and will stop naming linemen who haven’t had issues with injury this season to not intensify the voodoo curse currently on the team’s offensive line.

Slow start for the Jets new tandem?

On paper the New York Jets have a stellar offense. Aaron Rodgers, Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and a host of high draft picks on the line. Then you throw in Davante Adams, and it seems as if they are going to be an even more formidable offense; however, I wonder if Adams might take a week or two to get on the same page with the offense, the coordinator, and even his quarterback. I have no doubt Adams and Rodgers won’t take long to warm up, but it might not be as seamless as some make it out to be. Maybe this is my own wishful thinking with the Jets, now with Adams, coming to town on prime time, but these in-season moves are more likely to take a game or two than they are to hit their stride immediately.

Trade Deadline Looming

Speaking of trades, mark your calendars for November 5th. That is the NFL’s trade deadline, and I feel as if the Steelers are going to be buyers before the deadline. How many moves will they make? I think they’ll certainly make one move, while possibly making more than one if the season continues on its current trajectory. What positions could they target? Here is my list:

• WR
• OG
• OT

There could be other positions added, but I think those are the main ones which could be targeted.

How to get T.J. free?

Last week T.J. Watt absolutely disrupted the game, but in a different way. His play vs. the run, mainly forcing fumbles, was a difference in the win, but he also didn’t register a pressure in the contest. This doesn’t mean Watt’s play is slipping, but without Nick Herbig and/or Alex Highsmith the Raiders were able to put 2-3 players on Watt to try and slow him down. It makes me wonder what Teryl Austin and company can do to free up Watt to get more one-on-one matchups. Obviously, getting Highsmith back would be a huge boost, but there have to be other ways to get Watt some better matchups. While Watt has played the opposite side, he is most comfortable with his matchup against the opposition’s right tackle. One thing the Steelers could do more of, and something they’ve struggled with since Stephon Tuitt’s retirement, are interior stunts. Getting Watt in favorable matchups is going to be something to watch, and hopefully something which can be rectified to allow Watt to be a game wrecker in multiple ways.

Officials are set

Shawn Smith’s crew has been assigned to the Steelers vs. Jets game. Time to evaluate these individuals…

Seeing there are some officials who have jumped ship from other crews to join Smith, that’s interesting. Other than that, Mike Wimmer is a producer. A producer of what? Music? Film? Meanwhile, Larry Hill is a judge. I still wonder if these individuals, outside of Boris who is retired, have to manage to work these everyday jobs when their job on Sunday night won’t be over till closer to midnight EST. Hopefully Mr. Pagnanelli has some solid sub plans for his classes on Monday…

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 Jets Sunday in Week 7.