VADEN WARD FROM DUNBAR, WV: Are the Steelers going to put the franchise tag on anybody?
ANSWER: I cannot imagine that happening, because the Steelers only have 5 players who started multiple regular season games set to become unrestricted free agents, and the franchise tag 1-year tenders are listed below:
Quarterback $47,321,000
Wide Receiver $28,824,000
Linebacker $28,197,000
Offensive Line $27,924,000
Defensive End $27,322,000
Defensive Tackle $26,211,000
Cornerback $21,414,000
Safety $20,876,000
Tight End $16,319,000
Running Back $14,536,000
Special Teamers $6,900,000
None of those numbers make any sense for the Steelers.
BOB WALKER FROM BRENTWOOD, TN: No question. Just an observation on how much the NFL has changed over the years. In your Feb. 24 Asked and Answered, there was a question on coaching staff size. Not sure what he was getting at but I recently looked at the programs from Super Bowls IX & X, and they showed the Steelers coaching staff had 7 members including the head coach. The Vikings also had 7 in Super Bowl IX and the Cowboys had 9 in Super Bowl X. Obviously overstaffed.
ANSWER: Professional football is a very different sport in many ways, with the physical evolution of the men playing it and the technology aiding the men coaching it being right at the top in my opinion.
NATHAN KLEIN FROM FREDERICKSBURG, VA It’s not unprecedented to realign the NFL divisions, similar to how the AFC North was created in 2002. I’m curious if the NFL would consider another realignment. Do you know why a geographical alignment was never done? I understand it would change the AFC/NFC pictures but would make much more sense and have less wear and tear on teams travelling.
ANSWER: I don’t think geography means that much to NFL ownership, not when it would come at the expense of preserving traditional rivalries, which contribute to ratings for their broadcast partners. Cowboys vs. Eagles might not meet geographical requirements, but those games typically turn out to be must-see-TV. And while a flight from Dallas to Philadelphia is 3-plus hours, traveling by charter plane makes it less onerous. Certainly less wear and tear than a Sunday night game on the West Coast followed by a 1 p.m. kickoff the next Sunday, or being the visiting team for any Thursday night game. My suggestion would be to stop trying to fix things that aren’t broken.
MIKE POWELL FROM UNIVERSAL CITY, TX: I have watched the highlights of Super Bowl X and XIII many, many times. In watching Super Bowl X, I was always amazed at Mike Wagner’s interception of Roger Staubach in the fourth quarter. He quite literally seemed to come out of nowhere to make the pick. The “smoothest” interception you’ll ever see. What a savvy player he was. Could you tell us about his career with the Steelers?
ANSWER: I wrote a lengthy tribute to Mike Wagner the day after his death on Wednesday, Feb. 18. You can read it by going to Steelers.com, and clicking on “News” on the top navbar. Then click on LabriolaOn, and my story on Mike Wagner will be on the left in the top row.
DIEGO ARBOLEDA FROM AUSTIN, TX: Similar to last year, I am hearing too much about Aaron Rodgers’ return for one more season. What is your view on this? Here in Austin we get together during season with a few Steelers faithful, and I have yet to come across one fan who likes the idea of a Rodgers’ return.
ANSWER: Let me answer your question with a couple of my own. If Aaron Rodgers doesn’t return, who is the starting quarterback? And who is the leader on offense? Remember, this is on a team where the idea is to try to compete in 2026. I believe Rodgers gives the Steelers the best chance at getting winning play from the quarterback position in 2026, and having him there also as an example/mentor for any young QBs on the roster has value as well.
STEVE SAMICK FROM ST MARYS, PA: If a player is elected to the Hall of Fame and has played for multiple teams, who decides which team he goes in under?
ANSWER: When it comes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, individuals are inducted as being in one of three categories – player, coach, or contributor. There are no team affiliations attached. Those individuals then can subsequently choose to align themselves with a particular team, as Kevin Greene did with the Steelers.
GIO CALABRO FROM EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ: I’ll preface this question admitting I’ve been a lifelong Penn State fan, and my daughter recently graduated from there. I know Drew Allar had a disappointing and unfortunate end to his college career, and his performance has been controversial. But if he is available in rounds 4-6 do they take a shot and draft him and try to develop him along with Will Howard, especially in light of having 12 picks this year?
ANSWER: For me, Drew Allar is the same type of quarterback prospect as Will Howard, only without the run through the College Football Playoff and a National Championship. Neither player has the kind of difference-making measurables that would make a prospect a high draft pick, and I don’t think I would want 2 of those kinds of quarterbacks on my 90-man roster when I’m only going to keep 3 QBs on the 53-man roster. In 4 career games against Michigan and Ohio State, Allar completed 47.4 percent of his passes for 454 yards, with 2 touchdowns, 1 interceptions, and a rating of 64.1 based on the metrics the NFL uses. Penn State was 0-4 in those games. In 5 postseason games – bowls and the CFP – Allar completed 52 percent of his passes for 954 yards, with 8 TDs, 4 interceptions, and a 79.1 rating. Penn State was 2-3 in those games. If the Steelers determine they believe in Howard’s potential, I think a pick of Allar is redundant.
JOHN MARTIN FROM ARENDTSVILLE, PA: Could you please tell us who the Steelers are going to draft in 2026 and 2027 and what our starting lineup is going to be next year? I literally have no idea how you survive this time of year. I appreciate your indefatigability and dedication to providing the best column on the planet.
ANSWER: Thanks for noticing. People have no idea how many Magic 8 Balls I go through every offseason.
