U mad, bro?: Steelers fans get feisty about Mitch Trubisky, Tom Brady, and the idea of tanking a season

The hype over newly signed quarterback Mitch Trubisky — and the confidence in him — continues to grow within the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base.

That will probably continue until they draft Malik Willis, Matt Corral or Kenny Pickett at No. 20 in the first round.

Given the attention being paid to those prospects by Steelers brass in recent weeks, that appears to be a growing possibility.

If one of those rookies gets drafted, 90% of the people preaching the great potential of the Trubisky reclamation project will suddenly want him benched by the end of the first preseason game.

Between now and then, though, people want me to jump aboard “Team Trubisky.” And they are getting upset that I refuse to do so.

That much is clear in this week’s “U mad, bro?”

I think this guy is calling me a lunatic for having endorsed the notion of the Steelers pursuing Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr or Russell Wilson.

“Tim, no one except perhaps the lunatic fringe thought the Steels would pay huge money for Rodgers, Wilson, etc. Signing Mitch Trusbisky is a classic Steeler move.”

Let’s be clear. I said the Steelers should investigate that possibility. I never said they would actually do so.

By the way, nine out of the past 11 Steelers seasons have ended without a playoff victory. I’m starting to wonder if “classic Steelers move” is still the compliment you appear to think it is.

Larry wants me to see the light and buy a Trubisky jersey.

“The draft capital and cap dollars to secure a franchise QB would have bankrupted the future. Signing Trubisky was a gamble prefaced on fixing offensive and defensive lines. If you can keep the QB upright and the defense has to honor the play action pass the QB has a chance. The Steelers are taking a conservative approach to remain competitive.

I left Pittsburgh 50 years ago and live in the Detroit area. I’ve witnessed a 50 year rebuild with the Lions. The Steelers had winning teams between Terry and Ben.”

Did the Los Angeles Rams “bankrupt” their future when they acquired Matthew Stafford? If so, do you think they are OK with that after winning a Super Bowl? I would be.

And if they are bankrupt, how are they about to maybe extend Aaron Donald’s contract and sign Bobby Wagner?

Sure, James Daniels and Mason Cole should be upgrades along the offensive line. But did they “fix” the offensive and defensive lines by simply retaining Montravius Adams and throwing three years and $29.25 million at Chuks Okorafor?

I think not.

And how “competitive” exactly do you think the Steelers will be in the AFC North with Trubisky at quarterback against the likes of Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson.

Furthermore, “Let’s not be the Lions” doesn’t have the same ring as “The standard is the standard.”

Then again, that may be exactly what the standard has become.

Paul thinks the Steelers should tank.

“Shouldn’t the Steelers tank a few seasons with (Mason) Rudolph or (Dwayne) Haskins? Build up the team instead of courting Malik Willis or whatever rookie QB tickles their fancy.

Pittsburgh is a few years out from only needing a QB. But if that is the most crucial piece missing from the Steelers Superbowl puzzle. Why aren’t there articles written about the possibility of trading Cameron Heyward. After a monster Pro Bowl year, age and contract situation. There’s no way he’s around for a Super Bowl run anyway.”

The Buccaneers were 7-9 the year before they signed Tom Brady and won the Super Bowl.

The Buffalo Bills were 9-7 and made the playoffs the year before they traded up to get Josh Allen in the 2018 draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs went to the playoffs two years in a row before drafting 27th in April 2017. They traded up 17 spots to select Patrick Mahomes.

You don’t need to tank in the NFL. You just need a quarterback. And there are numerous ways to get one. Losing on purpose and considering a trade of Heyward shouldn’t be one of them.

Speaking of Brady, this Twitter follower grew tired of the unretirement drama surrounding the “G.O.A.T.”

#GOAT means Go Away Tom

— Punxsutawney “I stand with Ukraine” Phil (@puppamac) March 14, 2022

I like it.

Sadly, though, in the 2016 AFC Championship game, G.O.A.T also stood for “Got Over Against Tomlin.”

We end with a frequent emailer named Melvin.

In recent months, I often suggested that the Steelers should’ve aggressively pursued Rodgers if he ever hit the free agent or trade markets. That doesn’t mean I’m a fan of his personality. I’m just a fan of him as a quarterback.

I may have, at one point, referred to Rodgers as “an annoying, self-absorbed, anti-vaxxing drama hound.”

Melvin didn’t like that.

“He can’t be any more annoying and self-absorbed than you!”

That may be accurate, Melvin.

But, just like what would’ve happened with Rodgers if he had become a Steeler, you never would’ve stopped rooting for him. Just like you can’t seem to stop reading and emailing me.

Wait. Was that self-absorbed? That was probably self-absorbed.