Front Office and Ownership Must Ask Tough Questions Now

Mandatory Credit: Vincent Pugliese-USA TODAY Sports

At 2-5, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2013 regular season is essentially in the toilet. An undisciplined team with little hope of improving as they are in the midst of a rebuilding campaign, the franchise is at a “crossroads” of sorts.

While “change” has not been the Steelers’ “go-to” move in recent seasons, what has occurred on the field and within the front office over the last two seasons has been nothing short of unacceptable. With the season basically lost, it is high time that management begins to ask tough questions regarding the future of this franchise.

In fact, I have comprised a few “tough” questions which those in charge of the franchise should be asking themselves over the coming months :

"Do underwhelming veterans on the verge of free agency (Jason Worilds, Ziggy Hood, Ryan Clark, etc.) deserve more chances to prove themselves? To get out of “salary cap hell,” does the team need to eat dead money in the short-term to set themselves right for the future? Can this team really afford an inconsistent, underachieving, aging, and expensive pass-rusher like LaMarr Woodley over the next three years? How many more chances do Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert really deserve to succeed before their time is up in Pittsburgh? Even when Maurkice Pouncey returns healthy, does Fernando Velasco deserve a chance to start at center? Is Le’Veon Bell really the “every-down” answer at running back? Do rookies and youngsters deserve extra playing time over declining veterans in an already lost campaign? Do Mike Tomlin, Todd Haley, Dick LeBeau, and even Kevin Colbert deserve chances to turn things around next fall? How much more undisciplined play on the field can be tolerated? When will the seat eventually get warm for the underachieving Tomlin? How much longer will Keith Butler and Carnell Lake stick around if LeBeau continues to stay as the defensive coordinator?"

I for one hope that those in charge of this franchise are asking these questions right now, because they are probably not pleased with the way this team has performed over the last two seasons. Continuing with this charade should not be an option, and some form of change must come if the front office and ownership want to see positive results on the field.

Being honest and evaluating where this franchise exactly stands will be a difficult task. However, there is no chance that the Steelers will improve unless they consider and attempt to answer tough questions throughout the rebuilding process.

Stats & Contract Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com , Spotrac, and Pro Football Reference

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