Oneil Cruz got off to a bad start, but he’s playing better.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver group was in tatters, but it’s getting better.

The Steelers’ quarterback situation is — well — that’s going to stay the same forever, I guess.

But why focus on the hope for improvement when we have “U mad, bro?”

And if you want something else to be mad about, also know this is our last entry before vacation next week. So let’s get a lot of it out right now.

As if you weren’t going to do that anyway.

Kevin replied to a column I wrote about the Steelers’ wide receiver position.

“I just read your column (on) the WR’s and I have just one question, what makes you think the Steelers will draft a receiver who will help them? I do not know who is evaluating the talent a WRs but their track record is (to quote Charles Barkley) ‘terrible, terrible terrible.’”

To be fair, I didn’t predict they’d draft the right one. I simply said they need to draft one.

At least one.

Like you, I’m skeptical that they’ll draft the right one. But they need to try. Perhaps multiple times.

Someone named “@sah-win” sent this comment to “Beyond the Bylines” with Joe Starkey and me regarding the NHL’s overtime format.

“Ditch the 3v3 and do 5/10 minute OT. No one scores: then Shootout or bring the tie back. The crowd loves the $hootout so that’s probably not going anywhere. Plus, the shootout helps keep more teams in the hunt for playoffs so the owner$ love that.”

I don’t have a real problem with 3-on-3. I don’t have any problem with the shootout. I like shootouts.

I have a problem with old school hockey dinosaurs regretting their own decisions to implement both of them in the first place.

Make your fans happy. Embrace the entertainment factor. Understand these are atypical ways to decide games, or don’t decide them, and, as you said, bring back the ties. It’s that simple.

But the constant self-flogging and buyers’ remorse of giving people what they want has grown tiresome.

“RR” sent this email about Aaron Rodgers.

“From the polls that I have seen, the majority do NOT want Aaron Rodgers back, and neither do I! He’s over the hill and just another retread at this point.”

If we’re being honest, that’s what he was last year too. Just good enough to get them to where they always had been.

Danny emailed about the Steelers’ rumored interest in Kirk Cousins.

“I don’t want the Steelers to sign Aaron Cousins or Kirk Rodgers.”

Any thoughts on Tyrod Carr or Derek Taylor?

Timbo sent this message after Oneil Cruz’s Opening Day fiasco in center field.

Well, there basically is one. It’s called WAR. Wins above replacement. It’s his overall value as a player. Last year it was 0.3.

So, to answer your question, yes. Barely. His bat is barely worth it. Then again, last year, his bat only generated an OPS of .676.

So far in 2026, it’s 1.029. Cruz has basically lost them a game with his defense and helped win them two with his offense.

Get used to that. A lot more of that is coming this year. And any year he remains a Pirate.

Finally, this guy checked in after that Opening Day gong show too.

Derek Shelton just got thrown out of a game because of a robot.

It could be worse.

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