The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
TONY SILVA FROM AUSTIN, TX: Omar Khan assured us the Steelers wouldn't let Aaron Rodgers stall like he did last season. Well, it looks like Rodgers is doing it again. Or am I wrong and Rodgers has set a date on his decision? To me and many others it seems like he is stalling again, and we are letting other available quarterbacks get taken by other teams.
ANSWER: First of all, you're putting words into General Manager Omar Khan's mouth. Here is the question he was asked at the NFL Combine on Feb. 26 about Aaron Rodgers along with his answer:
Q: What kind of gives you the sense that this isn't going to drag out the way that it did last year into right before the start of minicamp?
Khan: I think the circumstances are a little different, but just the conversations that we've had. I think neither side wants to have it drag on like it did last year.
I don't interpret that as an "assurance." And based on him using the words "just the conversations that we've had," would indicate there had been some back-and-forth between the Steelers and Rodgers. And one final time, to clarify the situation last offseason: It's just not accurate that last year the Steelers had no idea of Aaron Rodgers' intentions until he signed a contract in June. For a while back then, "when" he would sign had been the issue instead of "if" he would sign.
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CARL WYNN FROM SUNNYVALE, TX: In your answer to a question on March 17, you listed the 11 different position groups that are recognized for purposes of franchise tag tender offers, and also listed them in descending order in terms of the amount of the tender. I found the order of that group to be interesting, because it didn't seem to be in order of what some would consider to be the most important positions on the field, e.g. wide receivers second on the list? Is the order of this list based on the current average of what players are making? And if so, I assume the order is subject to change at some point in time?
ANSWER: The franchise tag tender for each offseason is determined by averaging the top 5 contracts of players in that position group. In other words, the NFL is making a statement each year about the position groups by the contracts paid to those position groups. And if the situation changes in that pecking order, it certainly will be reflected in the updated franchise tag tender for each group.
STEPHEN FOSTER FROM BROADSTAIRS, UK: I've been closely watching the offseason activity and the introductory news conferences with our new players. Without exception, they appear to be very likeable young men of high character, portraying a "team first" mentality. Is this a conscious move on behalf of the Steelers to build a better culture?
ANSWER: The goal every year is to add players who contribute on the field and are positives in the locker room, and I believe the Steelers are thoughtful and diligent in evaluating each individual before adding him. The additions so far during the current free agency period – Michael Pittman Jr., Jamel Dean, Rico Dowdle, Jaquan Brisker, Sebastian Joseph-Day – all have come across very well. Whenever the term "culture" is used, it's important to remember that this is professional football. It's a sport, but it's also very much a billion-dollar business populated by a lot of egos.
JEFFREY SMITH FROM CLEWISTON, FL: I have watched Aaron Rodgers this year and he is one of the finest cerebral quarterbacks I've ever watched. Do you believe that his football IQ outweighs his diminishing physical abilities?
ANSWER: I don't know what you're referring to when you write about Aaron Rodgers' "diminishing physical abilities," but I can tell you there is nothing wrong with his arm, his release, his timing and accuracy. All of those are still very much NFL-caliber. And because his football IQ allows him to understand things and see things quicker and clearer than most, I believe he can be a quarterback who can get to the playoffs and win playoff games for a team if given a supporting cast.
GREG CHOLAK FROM EXTON, PA: I love Asked and Answered. I never miss an article. I'm planning on attending the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this year. There hasn't been a draft in Pittsburgh in my lifetime. Are the Steelers planning on holding anything at Acrisure Stadium for the season ticket holders?
ANSWER: The Steelers and the City of Pittsburgh are co-hosting the upcoming draft, but it is an NFL production. The league is in charge of the usage of the areas included in the footprint for the three-day event, which will take up a good bit of the North Shore area, including the stadium. This event is not a Steelers draft. It's the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. There is a difference.
JACK G. FOSTER FROM ROUNDUP, MT: Are undrafted rookie contracts the same as drafted rookies, those drafted in the second round and later? Or can they just be signed to a one-year contract?
ANSWER: Recently the Steelers have been signing undrafted rookies to three-year contracts, and if the player makes the team and completes that contract he can enter free agency as a restricted free agent. That's what the Steelers did with both James Pierre and Jaylen Warren. Because players have no freedom of movement until they have completed three NFL seasons, agents aren't interested in one-year contracts for undrafted rookies.
SCOTT CLEMENTS FROM CHESAPEAKE, VA: I believe Skylar Thompson was on IR last season and is an unrestricted free agent this season. Is there a possibility that he will be back with the Steelers in 2026? He seemed to have some really good moments during the preseason before he was injured.
ANSWER: Skylar Thompson had his moments last summer, both in Latrobe and during the preseason, and he currently remains an unrestricted free agent. The Steelers are going to bring 4 quarterbacks to Saint Vincent College this summer, and it's not an impossibility that one of them could end up being Thompson.
GRANT SPELLERBERG FROM CUTLER BAY, FL: Recently, there has been some discussion concerning Nick Herbig and him being unhappy here. I really like his play and I think it would be a shame to have to lose him. What do you think will end up happening?
ANSWER: This one is difficult to predict. The Steelers already have made significant commitments to T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig may want to bet on himself by playing out the 2026 season and entering free agency in 2027. I wouldn't characterize Herbig as unhappy, but as a competitor I'm sure he wants to play more and be more involved in the defense. Getting a contract extension done this summer will be tricky in my opinion.
EDSON NUNES JR. FROM SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL: Asked and Answered is Informative, funny, and full of history. One thing I think is underrated is your opinion on things. Being part of the organization for so long and knowing so much is special. I really like to read your takes on everything. So, I have questions that I really want your opinion on: What is the best addition to the Steelers squad so far in free agency; and which positions do you see as the strongest and which as the weakest.
ANSWER: I would point to the addition of WR Michael Pittman Jr. as my favorite. He was acquired for nothing more than a Day 3 pick swap, and he fills the role of a proven veteran No. 2 WR that the offense has been lacking for the past couple of seasons. Identifying one spot on the depth chart as the strongest and another as the weakest will be nothing but a guess until the team reports to Saint Vincent College and the padded practices begin. Right now, on paper, I like the depth along the defensive line and at cornerback, while I would point to quarterback, wide receiver, interior offensive line, and safety as areas needing more work before the team reports to Latrobe.
RICK STUDYVIN FROM TOLEDO, OH: Is it a league requirement for teams to publicly announce players they bring in for pre-draft visits? Seems it lets other teams know who they are looking at.
ANSWER: While teams are not required to report top-30 visits to the NFL or announce them to the general public, some teams choose to do that anyway. And remember, there are players' agents who are more than willing to act as "sources" for that kind of information.
RON PROLEIKA FROM CHARLOTTE, NC: No question, just gratitude. Been reading Asked and Answered for quite a while and cannot recall a single time I didn't learn something new and get a hearty laugh. Thank you.
ANSWER: Thank you for the kind words. I do my best.
