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

[WickedWrister]

The point for me is how someone who has full faith in Pickett and who wants Rudolph back looks at Fields and thinks upgrade. Like I get that not everyone here shares my belief that Fields isn't any better than Pickett, and that's fair enough if you don't have much faith in Pickett...

... but if you do, if you take the most optimistic possible view on him, why do you want Fields?

How good do you have to think Fields can be to think he's definitely ahead of the most optimistic views of Pickett and Rudolph in terms of potential and ceiling and everything?

Either they look at three years of Fields being a bum in Chicago and think "but he still has massive potential and we can correct it", or they've finally learnt how to front and weren't being at all truthful this summer. Which mightn't be a bad thing, but it'd be a major departure.

If this doesn't come true, I'll be slightly doubtful of the veracity. There are media heads saying they're hearing nothing about the Steelers doing anything, and this is the sort of leak that makes total sense for Chicago to put out there even if it isn't really true.

I mean I think the organization would have to be delusional to still have the same level of faith in Pickett as when they drafted him. Otherwise they're just ignoring the results of the offense the last two seasons. They can say whatever they want in the media, but the fact that Pickett was healthy and the backup QB for the playoff game at least showed they aren't completely blind to the reality of the situation. If Mason hadn't played so well and they went back to Kenny at the end, I think this offseason has a different tone.

 

[ChaosAgent]

I mean I think the organization would have to be delusional to still have the same level of faith in Pickett as when they drafted him. Otherwise they're just ignoring the results of the offense the last two seasons. They can say whatever they want in the media, but the fact that Pickett was healthy and the backup QB for the playoff game at least showed they aren't completely blind to the reality of the situation. If Mason hadn't played so well and they went back to Kenny at the end, I think this offseason has a different tone.

Fields is a better prospect than Pickett, Rudolph, anyone they can get drafting at #20 or drafting around #20 next year.

He is a flawed prospect but the fact Chicago even considered hanging onto him tells me there's something there. If it's a 3rd, yes. If it's a 2nd, I'd have to think about it.

That said, there are scenarios where Fields is just an INT and inaccuracy machine and he tanks the team. He could be worse than Pickett or Rudolph as well.

 

[WickedWrister]

Fields is a better prospect than Pickett, Rudolph, anyone they can get drafting at #20 or drafting around #20 next year.

He is a flawed prospect but the fact Chicago even considered hanging onto him tells me there's something there. If it's a 3rd, yes. If it's a 2nd, I'd have to think about it.

That said, there are scenarios where Fields is just an INT and inaccuracy machine and he tanks the team. He could be worse than Pickett or Rudolph as well.

Oh for sure. The INT's are a little high but not outlier bad in my opinion. It's his astronomical sack rate that has to get fixed or he'll be out of the league.

I just view him as a potentially higher upside dice roll that we can get at a discount.

 

[Peat]

I mean I think the organization would have to be delusional to still have the same level of faith in Pickett as when they drafted him. Otherwise they're just ignoring the results of the offense the last two seasons. They can say whatever they want in the media, but the fact that Pickett was healthy and the backup QB for the playoff game at least showed they aren't completely blind to the reality of the situation. If Mason hadn't played so well and they went back to Kenny at the end, I think this offseason has a different tone.

a) What about the org makes you confident they're not delusional by your standards?

b) The same thing about bad results applies to Fields. But they could be delusional by my standards.

Hence me wondering where this is coming from, if this is accurate. Which, you know, who knows. Schefter says the Falcons would be a surprise and says there's something with the Steelers; Pauline says the Falcons and Bears are close, and Eisen says the Steelers aren't interested in other QBs. Who do I believe?

 

[Rossi Rat]

Fields is a better prospect than Pickett, Rudolph, anyone they can get drafting at #20 or drafting around #20 next year.

He is a flawed prospect but the fact Chicago even considered hanging onto him tells me there's something there. If it's a 3rd, yes. If it's a 2nd, I'd have to think about it.

That said, there are scenarios where Fields is just an INT and inaccuracy machine and he tanks the team. He could be worse than Pickett or Rudolph as well.

There is absolutely no way in hell he could be worse than Pickett. Again, “KP8” will be bagging my groceries around this time next year. And he’ll probably even be awful at that with his small hands. I’ll just do it myself.

 

[TooManyHumans]

They don’t have to pick up his 5th year option, they can decline the option and sign him for less. I don’t see any issues with doing that.

I don’t really see a big enough difference between a 3rd and a 4th for me to care about the price difference. It’s one thing if it’s a 2nd vs 3rd, but Fields likely provides more value in 2 years than most 3rd rounders provide in 4 years.

I just don't think Fields adds much value. Trading for him is just throwing darts at this point. He's athletic and has a good arm but is simply not a good quarterback.

 

[OnMyOwn]

I just feel like I would enjoy watching him more, if I’m being honest.

 

[MayorofWBS]

LOL at those who think you can "fix" failed young QBs. I mean, the NFL is littered with redemption stories of high draft pick QBs that failed with their original teams going elsewhere and becoming solid starters.

This team has more holes than swiss cheese, don't worry about getting your future QB this year as there is plenty of other positions that need desparate help too.

 

[xlm34]

Between this and the amount of early round receivers that the Steelers did formal visits with, there’s a lot of smoke with DJ being moved.

Wouldn’t hate a DJ for Sneed swap.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Between this and the amount of early round receivers that the Steelers did formal visits with, there’s a lot of smoke with DJ being moved.

Wouldn’t hate a DJ for Sneed swap.

Worth pointing out, Pauline is the same person who said that Fields to Atlanta was about to be done only for Schefter to pour cold water on it.

 

[Peat]

Worth pointing out, Pauline is the same person who said that Fields to Atlanta was about to be done only for Schefter to pour cold water on it.

Is he any less trustworthy than the others?

I do have to agree with xlm's point that the Steelers are conducting interviews like they expect to maybe find themselves down a major WR though. Which is probably the most reliable hint that's something up, right?

 

[ChaosAgent]

Between this and the amount of early round receivers that the Steelers did formal visits with, there’s a lot of smoke with DJ being moved.

Wouldn’t hate a DJ for Sneed swap.

Though I think Johnson is over-hated here, that trade + drafting a WR early + signing Boyd is intriguing to me. I don't know if the Steelers have done their due diligence in tampering with Boyd, but I'm sure they've gauged his interest in playing for his hometown team in the past.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Is he any less trustworthy than the others?

I do have to agree with xlm's point that the Steelers are conducting interviews like they expect to maybe find themselves down a major WR though. Which is probably the most reliable hint that's something up, right?

I think they were very likely to draft a QB in the first 3 rounds in the draft regardless this year. I also don't think it takes a lot of imagination to see the Steelers trading Johnson, either.

 

[Peat]

I think they were very likely to draft a QB in the first 3 rounds in the draft regardless this year. I also don't think it takes a lot of imagination to see the Steelers trading Johnson, either.

Did you mean WR instead of QB there?

 

[Empoleon8771]

Did you mean WR instead of QB there?

Yeah typo on my end, yeah I meant WR.

My original post wasn't to say that they wouldn't trade DJ, I just don't think that report had much value. It was basically just "the Steelers may trade DJ if they get an offer they like" from a questionable source.

 

[Ulf5]

Worth pointing out, Pauline is the same person who said that Fields to Atlanta was about to be done only for Schefter to pour cold water on it.

Adam Schefter Speculates Deep Into Justin Fields Trade Compensation, Teams Involved

Are you tired of hearing about Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields and the trade speculation revolving around him? Personally, I’m ready for something to finally get done with Fields so we can find out whether he’ll be a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. While most of you probably feel like I do at...

steelersdepot.com

After watching this, I got the sense Schefter didn't have a clue what the hell was going on either.

 

[Peat]

Yeah typo on my end, yeah I meant WR.

My original post wasn't to say that they wouldn't trade DJ, I just don't think that report had much value. It was basically just "the Steelers may trade DJ if they get an offer they like" from a questionable source.

I wouldn't have been surprised if the Steelers had taken a WR in the 3rd. Would if they had in the 2nd. Shocked if they'd done so in the 1st...

... and stunned if they'd traded up to do it, but they just met with Rome Odunze, and he's very probably not falling to 20.

So the combine interviews do change my opinion on what's happening.

I'm also thinking the Steelers look a lot harder to read than with Colbert too.


Also, again, is Pauline more questionable than the others?

 

[Empoleon8771]

I wouldn't have been surprised if the Steelers had taken a WR in the 3rd. Would if they had in the 2nd. Shocked if they'd done so in the 1st...

... and stunned if they'd traded up to do it, but they just met with Rome Odunze, and he's very probably not falling to 20.

So the combine interviews do change my opinion on what's happening.

I'm also thinking the Steelers look a lot harder to read than with Colbert too.


Also, again, is Pauline more questionable than the others?

I think I read him described as a B level insider that gets a lot of stuff wrong, but does have legit sources. So he's not Schefter but he's not nothing.

 

[Peat]

I think I read him described as a B level insider that gets a lot of stuff wrong, but does have legit sources. So he's not Schefter but he's not nothing.

Schefter might be a big name, but he's also printed stories without sources. And seems to have a dodgy reputation among fans from my quick search.

I kind of get the feeling nobody in the NFL is halfway reliable. It's not like the NHL where there's a few guys who are generally solid, it feels like a bunch of peeps who say stuff and who knows.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Is he any less trustworthy than the others?

I do have to agree with xlm's point that the Steelers are conducting interviews like they expect to maybe find themselves down a major WR though. Which is probably the most reliable hint that's something up, right?

No idea if it’s anything to do with DJ, but Steelers didn’t take a WR last year, so I’m 99.9% sure they take one this year because…

- I can’t rem the last time they went two years in a row without taking a wideout.

- this is the deepest class in almost 20 years

 

[Peat]

No idea if it’s anything to do with DJ, but Steelers didn’t take a WR last year, so I’m 99.9% sure they take one this year because…

- I can’t rem the last time they went two years in a row without taking a wideout.

- this is the deepest class in almost 20 years

Year they took Polamalu. I only knew that because it's so rare people are writing articles about it.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Year they took Polamalu. I only knew that because it's so rare people are writing articles about it.

Dang, that’s a long time.

 

[WickedWrister]

Schefter might be a big name, but he's also printed stories without sources. And seems to have a dodgy reputation among fans from my quick search.

I kind of get the feeling nobody in the NFL is halfway reliable. It's not like the NHL where there's a few guys who are generally solid, it feels like a bunch of peeps who say stuff and who knows.

I'm sure being an NFL Insider is a soulless existence but we're talking about someone that has 10 million twitter followers and works for ESPN vs.... 40k and Sportskeeda

I didn't watch the interview but I'm familiar with that podcast and reading the article the stuff he said seems pretty logical to me, that we're one of maybe 2 or 3 teams (ATL) even interested in Fields.

Paraphrasing but when directly asked about him Khan even said in his presser that he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't explore every avenue to improve the team. So I'm willing to bet they at least talked with Chicago about him.

If CHI wants that Sam Darnold package (2nd, 4th, 6th), I don't think we bite. But that article makes a good point in that if the trade compensation is lower, like a 3rd round pick, the team that acquires him might be less inclined to pick up that 5th year $25 million option.

Either way I just hope this saga is over by the start of free agency in like 10 days.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I wouldn't have been surprised if the Steelers had taken a WR in the 3rd. Would if they had in the 2nd. Shocked if they'd done so in the 1st...

... and stunned if they'd traded up to do it, but they just met with Rome Odunze, and he's very probably not falling to 20.

So the combine interviews do change my opinion on what's happening.

I'm also thinking the Steelers look a lot harder to read than with Colbert too.


Also, again, is Pauline more questionable than the others?

Odunze is probably my favorite player in this draft. Top three anyway with DeJean and Frazier. I was comfortable that he was not in the Steelers’ radar but that the other two certainly would be.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Between this and the amount of early round receivers that the Steelers did formal visits with, there’s a lot of smoke with DJ being moved.

Wouldn’t hate a DJ for Sneed swap.

I would not instead in paying snead over 20 million a year when he was cb2 on kc