In this week’s “U mad, bro?” readers lash out at media coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation. They blast the Steelers’ secondary. They defend Mike Tomlin. They rip Mike Tomlin. And they quote Shakespeare.

Of course they do. My readership is like, you know, totally well-read n’at.

Sean wasn’t a fan of my recent post about the Steelers’ quarterback situation.

Perhaps you are right. Perhaps I am a naive lemming. Maybe I’m just a dog being wagged by my own tail thanks to the Steelers’ PR machine that is actively encouraging as much negative media attention about its quarterback situation as possible so as to distract from the “real problems” in dime coverage.

I’m going to go out on a limb, though, Sean, and advance a crazy idea: Can’t both things be true?

I’m willing to bet that the Steelers aren’t the first team in NFL history to have simultaneous questions at quarterback and defensive back.

However, they actually might be the first team in NFL history to intentionally fan the flames of a quarterback controversy, just to throw off the scent of what’s happening at slot corner, as you suggest.

That’s a pretty unique media strategy.

Now, all that said, kudos to you for working in both “dumpster fire” and “broken sewer” in one post. That, my friend, is the hyperbole that “U mad, bro?” thrives upon weekly. That is pretty, pretty good.

via GIPHY

Here’s another guy named Sean. He loves the “Madden Monday” podcasts I do with Mark Madden.

Sean, unlike the Steelers’ Matt Canada offense, at least when Mark and I sling our garbage, we are willing to sling it beyond the first-down marker.

One guy wants the Steelers to pick up the urgency when it comes interviewing offensive coordinator candidates.

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In an now-deleted post on X, @mungyyyyyyyy (aka “S”) asked, “Why haven’t the Steelers had a single candidate in the building yet? What are they doing? Coordinators interviewing everywhere but Pittsburgh right now.”

Well, they did end up bringing in Thomas Brown on Wednesday. But, before him, I get your impatience.

It’s probably because they want someone to accept the job before they get here and realize how hard it is to make that righthand turn onto the Hot Metal Bridge at rush hour.

I don’t know about you, but that might be enough for me to take a job somewhere else.

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Mike shares my agitation when the national media gets condescending any time someone in Pittsburgh has the audacity to complain about the Steelers failing to win a playoff game the past seven years under Mike Tomlin.

“Bill Belichick: 24 seasons, 266-121…6 Super Bowls wins, 3 losses…Playoff games 42, 30 wins, 12 losses… No playoff win since 2018…Fired, with hardly any surprise from the mainstream media.

Pete Carroll: 14 seasons, 137-89-1… 1 Super Bowl win, 1 loss… Playoff games 19, 10 wins, 9 losses…One playoff win since 2014… Fired, with hardly any surprise.

Mike Tomlin: 17 seasons, 173-100-2… 1 Super Bowl win, 1 loss… Playoff games 18, 8 wins, 10 losses… No Super Bowl since 2010, no playoff win since 2016. Coach for life, and we are told how ignorant we are about football to think he should go.

Please keep it up. Somebody needs to say the emperor has no clothes.”

Thanks, Mike. Although, right now, I’m not concerned about Tomlin not having clothes. I’m much more concerned about him not having an offensive coordinator or a clear-cut No. 1 quarterback.

Rob is on the other side of the fence. He isn’t pleased with the suggestions to replace Tomlin.

Of course there is. There is also a chance that you are holding onto the wrong guy.

There is also the chance that you hire the right guy.

Like the Houston Texans did with DeMeco Ryans. That’s who I wanted if the Steelers had decided to move on from Tomlin last year. How is that working out?

Finally, it appears that Terry thinks the Steelers are the NFL embodiment of a Shakespearean tragedy.

“Tomlin can’t be trusted on anything he says. He should be fired given the Steelers’ performance since 2010. ‘He struts and frets his time upon the stage’ and has destroyed the Steelers’ culture.”

Wow! Yinz went all “Macbeth” on me. That might be a little highbrow for my capabilities.

I’ll simply reply by saying that my concern is, when it comes to hoping the Steelers will finally win another playoff game, I’m worried that we’ll be waiting until tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow… ‘til dusty death.

But fret not! Because, every week, “U mad, bro?” will be here for all of your sound and fury, even if it signifies nothing and is a tale told by an idiot.

Wait a minute. That makes me the “idiot.”

Out, out, brief candle!

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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