Jason Mackey: Steelers' offseason has been tough to predict and understand

PITTSBURGH — "Umm, man, that's a few days back."

That was Mike Tomlin on Jan. 14, answering a question about George Pickens' reported late arrival for a Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and it feels three or four months ago the way we've been chewing on the Steelers' tough steak of an offseason.

Seriously, how's it even possible to feel worse or more confused than I did immediately after the Baltimore Ravens throttled the Steelers to conclude a five-game stretch that felt like Cosmo Kramer finishing his charity walk?

Maybe I'm alone here. Or nuts. But I thought we'd have at least some clarity, some kernel of news that demonstrates what has repeatedly transpired is unacceptable.

"I'd imagine there are going to be some things that change around here on a lot of levels," Tomlin said that same afternoon during his season-ending news conference, perhaps referencing carpet color, office layout or how vending machines are stocked.

Because, well, what the heck else will be changing?

Tomlin remains. Coordinators Teryl Austin and Arthur Smith remain. The rest of the alarmingly thin coaching staff remains. It's also not some down-the-line assistant's fault the Steelers have gone eight years without a playoff win, getting absolutely smoked in those games.

The idea that something should've happened is reasonable. Expected or sane might be a better way of describing it. Instead, the conversation has shifted to the viability of the Rooney Way — and it's hardly unfair.

What I mean: The Rooneys' style, when compared to much of the NFL's absurdity, is actually commendable and has mostly been a point of pride for our city. There's also a line between stability and stubbornness, and they're flirting with it.

That much was brought to the forefront by Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison on Friday.

"It feels like there's no 'Steelers Way' anymore," Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac. "There's still guys who have it, but it doesn't feel like it. It frustrates me to watch it happen."

"The standard is the standard," Harrison said while appearing on the Why Willie Show with J.J. Williams. "It feels like a saying now. It's not something you actually see."

So, in one corner, we have prominent former players and probably 90% (or more) of fans saying enough is enough and things must change. In the other, the organization seemingly whistling through the graveyard and pretending all is well.

It's not.

In a league where offense has never been more important, the Steelers face real and sizable questions at quarterback, running back and wide receiver — not to mention an offensive line that declined, a tight end (Pat Freiermuth) who was frustratingly underutilized and another offensive player (Cordarrelle Patterson) who was frustratingly overutilized.

Two weeks is hardly enough time to untangle that knot, and I certainly wasn't expecting to learn much about what the Steelers will do with Pickens (trade him), who will complement Jaylen Warren (would prefer more than a late-round flier) or what the plan might be to overhaul the wide receivers (sign one, draft one and maybe more).

But I (perhaps foolishly) thought we'd have more clarity instead of less at quarterback. Follow me here:

— On locker-cleanout day on Jan. 13, Russell Wilson said "that's the plan" when it comes to him potentially returning with the Steelers, adding that the organization knows where he stands.

— A day later, Tomlin said the Steelers have a bunch of work to do on that front when asked about his plan for quarterback in 2025, starting with compiling their available options. As noncommittal an answer as possible, basically.

— This past Wednesday, Wilson appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" and said there have been conversations about a potential return. "We have been starting to talk a little bit," Wilson said. "We've had our meetings and everything else and kind of just getting into it."

— Two days after Wilson spoke, included in Dulac's piece with Ben, there was this little nugget: "The Steelers have not had discussions with either player about a contract for next season."

Interesting dichotomy, right?

I also think there's nuance here, where maybe Wilson took an exit meeting one way and the Steelers weren't offering a contract but merely considering the 36-year-old as they would multiple options this offseason.

I also found it odd that any player in Wilson's position would, 11 days after his team's season end in frustration fashion, randomly decide to pop on national TV for an interview where his future was discussed.

It felt like Wilson lobbying his side while many around here — perhaps Tomlin, too — scurried toward the camp of Justin Fields, prioritizing a younger and more mobile quarterback and netting one of two outcomes in 2025: either Fields shines and it works ... or he doesn't and it flops, allowing the Steelers to draft their next Ben in Pittsburgh in April 2026.

Wilson's comments felt odd. They also may be outdated, as the latest plot features a Wilson-Pete Carroll reunion in Vegas, a marriage that actually might make a lot of sense.

All of it has been hard to process, the Steelers keeping their iPhone 3 while the rest of the NFL embraces technology, prominent players questioning the organization, and a continued insistence that there isn't a bigger problem despite it bopping them over the head each of the past six postseasons.

I'm actually glad team president Art Rooney II will talk this week. I don't know how much more of this I can take.

Next thing you know, we'll be discussing the viability or likelihood of trading T.J. Watt. That is still dumb and impossible, right?

____