​When Kevin Colbert, the longtime general manager of the Pittsburgh Steelers, stepped down, a wave of relief greeted many fans who had watched his draft record with growing concern. For years, the Steelers seemed stalled, unable to consistently identify and cultivate quality talent, develop those players, or retain them once their rookie contracts expired. The result, many argued, was a roster that failed to progress and a pipeline that often yielded disappointing returns.
CBS Sports analyst Mike Renner examined every first-round pick the Steelers have made over the past ten years and concluded that the franchise had received far less value from those selections than any other team. He shared his assessment on the Pushing the Pile Podcast on YouTube, highlighting the stark mismatch between the high expectations tied to first-round status and the actual impact those players produced for Pittsburgh. “They have not gotten a darn thing out of those guys they’ve taken highly,” Renner stated. He pointed to the Steelers’ current core, noting players like 37-year-old Cam Heyward and 32-year-old T.J. Watt, alongside over-30 veterans such as Jalen Ramsey, as evidence that the team is still operating with a foundation largely laid during Colbert’s tenure, even though he has not held the GM role in four years.
Among the most pressing concerns, Renner emphasized, is that Watt remains the sole Steelers first-round pick of the last decade to secure a contract extension with the team. That fact underscores what Renner views as a broader pattern: the Steelers have failed to capitalize on top-tier draft capital, contributing to a roster that appears aged and top-heavy rather than dynamic and sustainable. The analyst also cataloged several high-profile missteps attributed to Colbert’s era, including selections such as Devin Bush, Terrell Edmunds, Bud Dupree, Jarvis Jones, and Artie Burns, as well as the development and durability concerns surrounding Kenny Pickett. Each of these choices has been cited by fans and pundits alike as part of a broader narrative about the Steelers’ draft strategy and player development during Colbert’s tenure.
This perspective was originally published by Steelers Wire, with Renner’s commentary framed as a candid, unvarnished critique of the Steelers under Kevin Colbert’s leadership. The analysis aims to illuminate how a combination of bold first-round investments, missed development opportunities, and the inability to retain emerging talents contributed to the perception that the franchise, despite having a storied history of success, drifted toward stagnation. The discussion invites readers to consider the long-term consequences of draft-first decision-making that, in hindsight, may have hampered Pittsburgh’s ability to maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving NFL landscape.