Steelers Fact or Fiction: Don’t jump to conclusions and Mickey Mouse Club edition

BTSC takes five burning questions regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers and labels them as fact or fiction.

There’s always so much to talk about when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the inquiries surrounding the black-and-gold are definitely ever-evolving, especially this week with David DeCastro on the sidelines at mandatory minicamp, Matt Canada making interesting comments about the use of Ben Roethlisberger in his scheme and the Steelers hosting another free agent. It seems like the musical selection that best fits this week’s Fact or Fiction could be the Annette Funicello’s Don’t jump to conclusions.

Here’s a sample…

So be careful gals and guy

take a tip and you’d be wise

If you want to minimize confusion

Don’t jump— jump to conclusions

We had a country square dance and a dozen village boys

asked my cousin Kate to take her there

But Kate she waited till to late to pick her date

because she thought she’d rate the local millionaire

She jumped— Jumped to conclusions

Shattered her illusions

You can ponder the significance or wonder whether these lyrics are really related here. Or maybe I just wanted an excuse to listen to some classic Mickey Mouse Club. But anyhow, there is surely a lot to wonder about. BTSC tries to answer some of the poignant wonderings ahead of time. Take a listen to some bold statements on this and more as we label them as fact or fiction.

Are we on point? Only time will tell.

Again, fans can not get overly excited when a free agent visits the Steelers

Fact

The free agent visit has become nothing but a tease for Steeler Nation. But it doesn’t need to be looked at that way. Karl Joseph visited in team at the end of March and left without a contract. Joseph ended up with his old team in a new locale, Las Vegas. In early June, free agent Malik Hooker was at the facilities to talk with the Men of Steel about playing in a defensive backfield that includes Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds. Again, wining and dining leads to no signing. With Trai Turner visiting now on Friday, fans are wondering again if the team is going to add to the roster. Don’t bet on it. Turner, cut by the Chargers in March, left without a deal too. It’s okay for the team to bring in a player, kick the tires and make the decision to decline if said player doesn’t fit their needs. So when a player that is still on the market in June visits, we should be glad that the front office is doing their due diligence.

David DeCastro is done with the Steelers

Fiction

Holy Gramoly! We are reading way too much into David DeCastro, while present, not participating in mandatory minicamp. Even here at BTSC, we are speculating that there could be a problem with the All-Pro Guard. Let’s all take a step back relax and examine the facts. DeCastro, while still having been selected to the Pro Bowl again in 2020. had a down season, the first in his career. That less-than-stellar year could be attributed to injuries that No. 66 was hampered with all season. That could very well be part of the reason that DeCastro has not been on the practice field and doing drills. This is not based on a contract dispute, wanting to retire or being angry that his friends (Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva) are no longer with the team. Dave’s a quiet and reserved player and doesn’t gravitate towards the camera. Maybe he’s just taking it easy later in his career. Let’s not leap to conclusions.

Don’t rely on just a soundbite when it comes to statements from coaches and players

Fact

I’ve said it all along about headlines, especially on social media, read the entire article or listen to the full interview. When Matt Canada said that “We are going to do what Ben wants to do and how Ben wants to do it.”, that’s what’s going to make the headlines. But listen to the rest, “Our job is putting every player in a position to make plays.”, furthered Canada. So on the surface, it seems like the team is going to defer to Ben’s wants and stroke his ego. But that’s not what’s going on here. Canada is simply saying that he will craft the scheme to fit Ben’s skill set. But understand that this quote doesn’t mean that Ben isn’t willing to learn a new offense, because he’s been doing it. Sometimes a headline skews the true reality of the situation.

The Steelers are not trading for Xavien Howard or Stephon Gilmore

Fact

Nor are they making a deal for Aaron Rodgers. Every time a player is on the trade block, a large faction in Steeler Nation wants the team to pursue a trade. Since it actually happened with Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2019, it isn’t impossible and out of the question. But anytime that a player wants to leave a team due to a dispute with their employer, you immediately have to wonder if the source of the unpleasantness will be replicated with their next franchise. Howard is vastly underpaid and Gilmore really wants to win. Minkah, a second-year player on a tanking team, was different. Although the Steelers did not trade for him, the Joe Haden situation was different. Typically, players with contract beefs aren’t the right fit for the Steelers. I always contend that the Steelers will find money if they want a player bad enough, but I don’t see them sacrificing precious draft capital at this juncture happening.

T.J. Watt will again not be named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2021

Fiction

Mark it down…this is the year that the youngest Watt brother gets his due. Many people felt that Trent Jordan was robbed last year and even I was greatly disappointed. But Aaron Donald is already a Hall of Famer and a player from out of this world. However, if Watt duplicates his dominance of last season, I actually see voters checking the box next to No. 90

Check out the Fact or Fiction podcast to learn even more about these topics every single week and listen for more on the player below.