OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Congrats to KC, but Kelce was the real winner winning Swift

[Ryder71]

I think everyone is reading into this way too much and interpreting it how they want to interpret it. I think the Steelers think they upgraded the QB room for 2024 and that's why they added who they did. I think that's as far as they are planning. If one or both guys are awesome maybe they lock them up. If they aren't, they try again. But again, even those who are bitching about adding Wilson and Fields have never offered a viable superior alternative, as there really wasn't one this offseason given their cap situation and draft position.

I'm happy with what Khan has done. In his brief tenure as GM he's been unequivocally a net positive! Some here won't be happy unless we get Mahomes or some such player.

 

[WickedWrister]

I think you're selling their opinion on Fields quite short. I think they view him as a legitimate future starter. Just because they got him for next to nothing and extracted incredible value doesn't in and of itself signify they view him as a stop gap or a glorified back up long term. We'll see how it all plays out but I think MT is quite smitten with him. As he should be.

Yeah the first key indicator is going to be May 2 and what we do with the 5th year option. Najee's too.

 

[T1K]

I think everyone is reading into this way too much and interpreting it how they want to interpret it. I think the Steelers think they upgraded the QB room for 2024 and that's why they added who they did. I think that's as far as they are planning. If one or both guys are awesome maybe they lock them up. If they aren't, they try again. But again, even those who are bitching about adding Wilson and Fields have never offered a viable superior alternative, as there really wasn't one this offseason given their cap situation and draft position.

Having no commitment at QB beyond this year is a good thing. If they want to extend one of these guys, they can, otherwise they can seek out options via free agency, trade, or the draft. The hardest part about getting a new QB is finding a way to get rid of the starter still on the roster, but the Steelers don’t have that problem.

 

[xlm34]

With Fields, he wouldn’t even be on the team right now if Pickett didn’t want out. Seems like plan A was Wilson with Pickett as the young “competitor” with upside but once Pickett asked for a trade they just subbed in Fields.

So they likely do have some hope for him, but they also have nothing invested in him so I doubt he’ll seriously impact future plans unless he gets playing time and is impressive.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Yeah the first key indicator is going to be May 2 and what we do with the 5th year option. Najee's too.

Najaee is getting his picked up no doubt in ln my mind
Fields is not simply because you can’t have rw in the pole position making vet minimum and then guarantee his back up 25 million

 

[MrBrightside]

Having no commitment at QB beyond this year is a good thing. If they want to extend one of these guys, they can, otherwise they can seek out options via free agency, trade, or the draft. The hardest part about getting a new QB is finding a way to get rid of the starter still on the roster, but the Steelers don’t have that problem.

Correct. It's just how they operate (and really how most teams operate in the NFL). This isn't baseball or hockey where you have farm systems or engage in 3-5 year plans unless you're complete trash. It's literally a year-to-year business and that's how they operate and that's as far as this goes. They are planning for 2024 and think this gives them a better QB room than Pickett and/or Rudolph. They'll worry about 2025 after the season or as things play out.

 

[Ryder71]

Yeah the first key indicator is going to be May 2 and what we do with the 5th year option. Najee's too.

What's the 2hd key indicator?

I think they'll sign Fields before 5/2 to a bridge deal, maybe two years 14-16 mil, something like that

 

[Peat]

With Fields, he wouldn’t even be on the team right now if Pickett didn’t want out. Seems like plan A was Wilson with Pickett as the young “competitor” with upside but once Pickett asked for a trade they just subbed in Fields.

So they likely do have some hope for him, but they also have nothing invested in him so I doubt he’ll seriously impact future plans unless he gets playing time and is impressive.

But what if the plan was and remains "give Wilson a year as he's free and we want to give people good news, then pivot to the young competitor unless Wilson is super impressive"?

I mean we're all guessing at this point. And whatever the plan is, it's clearly built with room to pivot depending on what's happening. But I think the potential plan I put up above looks quite likely.

 

[Ryder71]

Najaee is getting his picked up no doubt in ln my mind
Fields is not simply because you can’t have rw in the pole position making vet minimum and then guarantee his back up 25 million

I think they'll sign Fields before 5/2 to a bridge deal, maybe two years 14-16 mil, something like that

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I think they'll sign Fields before 5/2 to a bridge deal, maybe two years 14-16 mil, something like that

I don’t if they were interested in something like that it would’ve been done already any extension means he is the starter they have 3 years of tape knowing exactly what he is. He isn’t very good.

 

[OnMyOwn]

Around the mid-point last year I was saying no way to a Najee option. At this point I could see it. Or another deal worked out for a few years. He can be so damn polarizing, but him and Warren make a great duo.

 

[Ryder71]

I don’t if they were interested in something like that it would’ve been done already any extension means he is the starter they have 3 years of tape knowing exactly what he is. He isn’t very good.

If they weren't interested they wouldn't have traded for him. Also, Why would they have to sign him by now? They just got him a week ago. And if you don't think he's good, fine, but he's better than Kenny. And he's younger than Kenny.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I think they'll sign Fields before 5/2 to a bridge deal, maybe two years 14-16 mil, something like that

I expect that's the plan anyway, yeah.

There's just a lot that could happen that makes "you absolutely must draft a third-day QB in 2024 because there's no one under contract after this season" not a good enough reason.

I like the Kyle Allen signing.

 

[Ryder71]

I expect that's the plan anyway, yeah.

There's just a lot that could happen that makes "you absolutely must draft a third-day QB in 2024 because there's no one under contract after this season" not a good enough reason.

I like the Kyle Allen signing.

I like the signing as well. Just seems some here will never be happy. I'm liking the Steelers off season thus far and I don't think we're done yet.

 

[Peat]

I thought Harris was a dead cert for a 5th year deal the way Tomlin was talking about him at the end of the season.

And now I'm looking at Khan's actions and I'm not so sure.

 

[WickedWrister]

What's the 2hd key indicator?

I think they'll sign Fields before 5/2 to a bridge deal, maybe two years 14-16 mil, something like that

Whether we have an extension in place on May 2nd when we presumably decline the 5th year option. I was looking at the Jordan Love situation for reference, it looks like they had talks in the offseason then announced the extension the same day they declined the 5th year option.

 

[Ryder71]

Whether we have an extension in place on May 2nd when we presumably decline the 5th year option. I was looking at the Jordan Love situation for reference, it looks like they had talks in the offseason then announced the extension the same day they declined the 5th year option.

I get it, I was just being facetious, my apologies.

Being a little bit of a rascal there.

 

[WickedWrister]

And yeah I think Najee's is a no brainer. $6.7m cap hit would be like the 7th highest among RB's which he probably isn't worth, but an extra 2.7m for one year isn't really worth the trouble trying to replace his carries.

Would've been an interesting discussion if he was a 2nd rounder in the 2020 draft class instead. Ton of cheap vets were available this year.

 

[pistolpete11]

I've said it before, but I really don't think they have some master plan at QB.

Wilson and Fields are the best they could get for this year without making a massive commitment. Nothing more to it. They'll see what options they have again next offseason.

Honestly, I think it's smart. Don't force things. Wait until you identify a guy that can be a franchise guy and then make your move.

 

[ImporterExporter]

Let Harris go. Keep Warren, draft a RB late and you'll be just fine in this league.

 

[xlm34]

But what if the plan was and remains "give Wilson a year as he's free and we want to give people good news, then pivot to the young competitor unless Wilson is super impressive"?

I mean we're all guessing at this point. And whatever the plan is, it's clearly built with room to pivot depending on what's happening. But I think the potential plan I put up above looks quite likely.

I think anything is on the table at this point. We’ve had reports that the Steelers intend to do a longer term deal with Wilson and that they also see Fields as more than a backup. I’d be surprised if the Steelers could even tell you what’s most likely at the QB position in 2025 — they’re probably just content with letting this year play out and seeing what happens. Also there’s a legitimate possibility that there won’t even be a QB worth going after in next year’s draft so I don’t mind having a lotto ticket in Fields.

I still don’t really love how Wilson fits into all this but I dunno. Hopefully he either plays well or implodes and let’s them get a look at Fields before next offseason.

 

[Power Surge]

I think the opportunity cost on Fields is high because:

- Tomlin always liked him and now they acquired him so there is a ton of smoke there to that old rumor.

- Dulac a beat guy I trust said they are not bringing him in to be a one year backup and see him as a potential future starter.

While many Steeler fans see a young guy with freak athletic traits who was taken high, I have seen with my own eyes a freak athlete that can’t read a D who is a turnover machine that takes an ungodly amount of sacks.

I can’t pretend to be excited by the idea of wasting 2025 or beyond seeing if the Steelers can fix him.

And there is evidence they see him as a future starter via Dulac, so this isn’t me just spitballing.

You may not believe Dulac, but that doesn’t disqualify that there is legit evidence the Steelers see him as a future starter.

Just reverse how you felt about wasting more time on KP and you will easily get how I feel about JF.

Agree. He might make a nice 3rd string but will be run out of town in 2 years because of this weird expectation that he's good.

If they thought Pickett was bad, they are really gonna hate Fields. Can't say we didn't warn them. It's almost like trading ice cream cones

 

[bigdaddyk88]

If they weren't interested they wouldn't have traded for him. Also, Why would they have to sign him by now? They just got him a week ago. And if you don't think he's good, fine, but he's better than Kenny. And he's younger than Kenny.

They literally traded a 6th for him. They traded a 6th for Reed from Denver to be the depth olb. They put play time incentives to keep it a 6th on 2025 which is a 7th round pick in value
He isn’t really an upgrade over KP that much. Fields has 1 300 yard passing game in his career he doesn’t read defenses he doesn’t throw with anticipation MT was better in Chicago than Fields

 

[T1K]

I've said it before, but I really don't think they have some master plan at QB.

Wilson and Fields are the best they could get for this year without making a massive commitment. Nothing more to it. They'll see what options they have again next offseason.

Honestly, I think it's smart. Don't force things. Wait until you identify a guy that can be a franchise guy and then make your move.

Forcing a guy into the franchise QB role is a lot worse. Do Saints fans feel all warm and fuzzy because they have Derek Carr locked into a few more years?

 

[pistolpete11]

Forcing a guy into the franchise QB role is a lot worse. Do Saints fans feel all warm and fuzzy because they have Derek Carr locked into a few more years?

Or using a first on a mediocre prospect without any plus attributes just because your previous franchise guy retired.