Steelers vs. bye week: What they're saying about Pittsburgh at season's halfway point

Is tanking the rest of the season really an option for the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Will coach Mike Tomlin string together a few wins and sabotage the opportunity of a high draft pick draft?

The bye week came in the form of a beautiful November Sunday and the opportunity to clean gutters, rake leaves and fire up the grills sans the stress of watching a football game. Where does this leave the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Many questions remain.

Power rankings

ESPN ranked the Steelers 30th of 32 teams in its Nov. 1 power rankings.

Yikes.

We know power rankings mean nothing. But, still.

A glimmer of hope? Linebacker T.J. Watt is expected to return as soon as next game.

“Without Watt, the Steelers have just eight sacks since Week 2 — tied for lowest in the league with the Falcons over that stretch,” ESPN wrote. “Watt can’t fix everything that ails the Steelers, but his presence can still give the defense a significant boost.”

Looking ahead to the draft

The Tennessee vs. Georgia tilt turned out to be a dud on Saturday. But the Alabama/LSU game ended in wild fashion. The game also featured 243-pound outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. Wouldn’t he make a perfect Steeler?

Pro Football Focus’ mock draft has Anderson going to the Steelers with the fourth pick — if that holds.

“You won’t find many 243-pound edge rushers who come with no concerns about their size,” PFF wrote. “And that’s just how powerful and explosive Anderson is.”

Imagine Anderson playing opposite Watt.

“With Alex Highsmith having a career year and entering the last season of his contract, Anderson seems like a perfect player to pair with T.J. Watt on the outside.” wrote SI.com ” Adding another refined pass rusher to the mix next season could help the Steelers alleviate their woes defensively. Anderson’s a cheat code off the edge and the closest thing you’ll find to a slam dunk in this class.”

The again, the Steelers’ schedule is supposed to ease up, according to the Trib’s Chris Adamski. The team could end up winning a few games and lose that high draft pick.

Maurkice Pouncey reflects

Remember the depressing image of former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey sitting on the bench in an empty Heinz Field after a 2021 blowout playoff loss to the Cleveland Brown? Pouncey thinks about it all the time.

In an interview on the podcast, The Pivot, he shares what was said in that conversation. He gets emotional in describing his decision to retire and spend more time with his family.

“It was unreal. Honestly, I think about it all the time,” Pouncey said of that moment with Roethlisberger. But he knew his career was over. And he explains why.

Watch the full interview with Ryan Clark, another ex-Steeler, here.

Chase Claypool, we hardly knew ye

After being traded to the Chicago Bears last week, wide receiver Chase Claypool suited up for Sunday’s home game against the Miami Dolphins.

Videos soon popped up on Twitter of Claypool autographing for fans old Bears Mitch Trubisky jerseys (No. 10) with Claypool’s name duct-taped in place. Trubisky, of course, is now a quarterback for the Steelers.

Duct tape your old Mitch Trubisky jersey, get it signed by new No. 10 Chase Claypool ???? #DaBearspic.twitter.com/TPRMdBoaBE

— CHGO Sports (@CHGO_Sports) November 6, 2022

The Bears lost 35-32.

Claypool had two catches for 13 yards.