OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: No 3peat for the Swifts

[Goalie_Bob]

I'm not a huge fan of Darnold personally, but I think the Steelers signing him to a Geno Smith type of contract (3 years at $25 million a year or so) makes a lot of sense for what they'll do.

If they can sign him for that kind of money then it would be worth it. But every report out there says he is gonna sign for 40-45 a year on a 3-4 year deal.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

If they can sign him for that kind of money then it would be worth it. But every report out there says he is gonna sign for 40-45 a year on a 3-4 year deal.

I think had he won a playoff game for Minnesota he would have at least gotten the transition tag at 36 million. No way does anyone touch him at 40 million with the way his season ended. He was back to eating sacks and seeing ghosts

Then there’s Khan and Rooney both saying they want to sign one of them prior to free agency. I would imagine there’s an amount they won’t go over for both but everything kind of points to them not wanting to let things play out. Although if both guys say they’re hitting free agency there’s not much to do about it.

I agree from a practical/emotional point on him, though I do kind of wonder about his mentorship and whether his ego can handle being a backup. This year he seemed fine but the expectation he would take back over once healthy was always there. My interest in the season itself would I think be at an all time low though if he’s back.

I actually figured they would let RW test free agency and decide to match or not. I can’t imagine he is willing to do a 2/50 type of deal. If someone wants to pay JF more than 2/30 let them

 

[Peat]

I don’t think Indy signs Darnold because they still have Richardson and signing Darnold is basically waiving the white flag with Richardson.

I’m not a big fan of Darnold, but I do think he makes a lot of sense for the Steelers. He’s still fairly young, can be the game manager type that Tomlin loves and has the arm talent to utilize Pickens. I don’t think any team is winning a Super Bowl with Darnold as their QB1, but he fits the maintained mediocrity idea this team seems to want to be.

Darnold takes a lot of negative plays. I'm not sure he'll ever be a game manager.

More than that... I don't think the team wants maintained mediocrity. I think that's people projecting onto the team because they disagree with the team's moves. I think the team absolutely wants to go back to the big time and put their models as the Eagles and Ravens - good teams who stayed competitive and found their QBs well outside the top 10 - as the best route to do so.

Which, hell, I wouldn't even necessarily argue with if I thought they were competent.

But, anyhoo, I do think they want to try drafting a franchise QB again, and handing out what Darnold probably will get doesn't really go with that. Could do if they were willing to Atlanta it, but I doubt it.

They already said they are bringing in competition for Richardson. The colts play indoors and have a good offensive core that can support Darnold. They can win the afc south with him at Qb. We don’t have the offensive weapons to invest 3/100 on Darnold

Darnold wouldn't be competition for Richardson, he would be taking over from him. Pretty much guaranteed.

Then there’s Khan and Rooney both saying they want to sign one of them prior to free agency. I would imagine there’s an amount they won’t go over for both but everything kind of points to them not wanting to let things play out. Although if both guys say they’re hitting free agency there’s not much to do about it.

I agree from a practical/emotional point on him, though I do kind of wonder about his mentorship and whether his ego can handle being a backup. This year he seemed fine but the expectation he would take back over once healthy was always there. My interest in the season itself would I think be at an all time low though if he’s back.

So there's a lot I missed then

We'll see how it goes then. I wouldn't be surprised if for all the talking, they don't sign one prior to FA. Last year where pretty much the opposite of everything they said happened has left me jaundiced. They seem more bothered about getting their price than their man right now.

As for Wilson as a back up... well, ideally you structure it so cutting him as and when that comes up is fine, because my guess is he won't be want to be one. A mentor with a clear heir behind him, I think he can live with that and be good, but not back up. Hell, anything else apart, why bother in his shoes?

ETA I don't really care about next season come what may at this point, so I'm ahead of you there! They're not even a bad team, they're just dull and frustrating. I'll probably watch as the wife controls the TV and I'm not going to say no to sports, but whatever emotional attachment I was forming is pretty dead right now. They need to show something for that to change.

 

[MrBrightside]

So the Jets, Giants, Raiders, Steelers, Browns, probably Indy and maybe New Orleans will be adding a QB who will at least compete for the starting job. The inventory is basically Darnold, Rodgers, and Fields/Wilson. Not sure that letting them get to free agency without signing one is going to go well - it’s not a buyers market.

 

[WickedWrister]

So the Jets, Giants, Raiders, Steelers, probably Indy and maybe New Orleans will be adding a QB who will at least compete for the starting job. The inventory is basically Darnold, Rodgers, and Fields/Wilson. Not sure that letting them get to free agency without signing one is going to go well - it’s not a buyers market.

Giants are probably taking Shedeur Sanders if Abdul Carter/Cam Ward go 1-2

 

[Peat]

I don't recognise the name of the journo or know how reliable he is but from this What I heard during a busy week at the NFL combine -

"A quarterback I’ve heard a lot about this week? Justin Fields.

The rumor out of Indianapolis is as follows: the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t want Russell Wilson back. So much so that they have a low-ball offer on the table that they anticipate he will find disrespectful. They want Fields. But at the right price.

The only issue, however, is that the New York Jets also want Fields on a gap-year-type deal to recover from the Rodgers debacle. So Fields’ agent, super-agent David Mulugheta, is using that to leverage his price up.

We’ll see what the outcome is between Pittsburgh and the Big Apple, but the amount of money Fields is going to get is going to cause eyes to pop out of heads.

 

[WickedWrister]

I don't recognise the name of the journo or know how reliable he is but from this What I heard during a busy week at the NFL combine -

"A quarterback I’ve heard a lot about this week? Justin Fields.

The rumor out of Indianapolis is as follows: the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t want Russell Wilson back. So much so that they have a low-ball offer on the table that they anticipate he will find disrespectful. They want Fields. But at the right price.

The only issue, however, is that the New York Jets also want Fields on a gap-year-type deal to recover from the Rodgers debacle. So Fields’ agent, super-agent David Mulugheta, is using that to leverage his price up.

We’ll see what the outcome is between Pittsburgh and the Big Apple, but the amount of money Fields is going to get is going to cause eyes to pop out of heads.

Dulac thinks $15x2. I'd be surprised if he gets north of $20. If it's for more than 2 years, it'll probably be structured in such a way that it's backloaded.

Spotrac has Fields at 6.4x1 which seems crazy to me

 

[Empoleon8771]

So the Jets, Giants, Raiders, Steelers, Browns, probably Indy and maybe New Orleans will be adding a QB who will at least compete for the starting job. The inventory is basically Darnold, Rodgers, and Fields/Wilson. Not sure that letting them get to free agency without signing one is going to go well - it’s not a buyers market.

One of the Giants or Raiders will likely be taking Sanders, so that's one fewer team. I also don't see New Orleans in that QB market, they'll be looking younger if they're going after a QB.

It seems to be the Raiders/Giants, Steelers, Jets, Browns and Indy in the market for Darnold, Rodgers, Fields and Wilson, with whoever loses that getting Jones. Playing matchmaker with those teams, I honestly feel like Darnold makes the most sense for the Steelers.

Darnold takes a lot of negative plays. I'm not sure he'll ever be a game manager.

More than that... I don't think the team wants maintained mediocrity. I think that's people projecting onto the team because they disagree with the team's moves. I think the team absolutely wants to go back to the big time and put their models as the Eagles and Ravens - good teams who stayed competitive and found their QBs well outside the top 10 - as the best route to do so.

Which, hell, I wouldn't even necessarily argue with if I thought they were competent.

But, anyhoo, I do think they want to try drafting a franchise QB again, and handing out what Darnold probably will get doesn't really go with that. Could do if they were willing to Atlanta it, but I doubt it.

Does Darnold take a lot of negative plays? At least last year, he had a 2.2% INT% and a 8.09 Sk%. The INT% was exactly league average and his Sk% was a bit above average, but nothing too egregious. Both Fields and Wilson were worse last year.

I think the bigger question with Darnold is how close he can maintain his level of production from last year. His turnover and sack rates aren't really much of an issue, but whether he's throwing 10 TDs with a 60% completion% or 30 TDs with a 66% completion% makes a huge difference. If you can get something in the middle, that's a perfectly solid starting QB.

 

[MrBrightside]

If Fields gets to free agency I’m guessing he’s gone. Darnold is likely to be the most expensive of the candidates. I want no part of Rodgers and if they run it back with Wilson…meh. Khan usually seems content to sit back and let the market fall to him but just not sure they’ll have that luxury here. Guess we will see…and I tend to agree with what Peat posted above that someone is going to pay Fields more than you’d expect.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Rodgers to Vegas seems to be the move that makes the most sense to me. It's a big market and he can bring Adams with him, while the Raiders are also very shallow at WR. I also think Brady would advocate for him based on his own experience as being an older QB having success after being written off as too old. Wilson to Indy to mentor Richardson makes a lot of sense to me as well.

I know I keep talking about Darnold, but I can see very logical connections elsewhere (Rodgers to LV, Wilson to Indy, Fields to NYJ) and I'm just really not seeing who else would be interested in Darnold outside of the Steelers. The Jets would never bring him back, the Saints and Browns probably don't have the money for him and I figure the Giants take Sanders in the draft.

 

[MrBrightside]

I could talk myself into Darnold. Just not sure the Steelers will - doesn’t seem Tomlin’s kind of QB.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Saints are stuck with Carr for 2 years they are in cap hell for next 2 seasons plus they kinda like Rattler.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

View attachment 984983

Dulac thinks $15x2. I'd be surprised if he gets north of $20. If it's for more than 2 years, it'll probably be structured in such a way that it's backloaded.

Spotrac has Fields at 6.4x1 which seems crazy to me

Spotrac compares him to tryod taylor contract he got 2/12 last season for the jets.

 

[WickedWrister]

 

[Empoleon8771]

I could talk myself into Darnold. Just not sure the Steelers will - doesn’t seem Tomlin’s kind of QB.

To me it comes down to cost. If Darnold would be willing to take a Geno Smith type of deal, I'd offer that instantly. But if he wants a huge payday, I'd sit out because I don't think he's an actual "Super Bowl" solution. I think his numbers this year were 100% inflated by playing with Jefferson, but I still feel like he could be a legitimate game manager type starting QB in the NFL. Probably just another Alex Smith but Smith had a nice career as a starter.

Tuten had a terrific combine day except for his 20 yard shuttle. 98th percentile forty, 94th percentile ten yard, 97th percentile vertical jump and 98th percentile broad jump are all insanely good. Issue though was that his 20 yard shuttle was only 18th percentile. Numbers for those coming from NFL Draft Buzz. He's definitely not a guy I'd be looking at early in the draft but that's an impressive combine performance.

 

[xlm34]

I feel like Kaleb Johnson is gonna get some hate for that 40 time, but I think he’s more and more becoming my hope for the Steelers if they draft a RB in round 2.

 

[Empoleon8771]

 

[WickedWrister]

Pretty fair value considering he seems to be breaking down physically and his contract is kinda pricey. 1 year rental. I like the fit in that WAS offense with Daniels.

 

[lastcupever75]

I can see a scenario where we’re starting Daniel jones or someone like riddler next year.

Someone desperate to be a starter again.
Cause if you’re a legitimate QB in this league, why would you want to play in Pittsburgh and not be able to call an audible ?

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I can see a scenario where we’re starting Daniel jones or someone like riddler next year.

Someone desperate to be a starter again.
Cause if you’re a legitimate QB in this league, why would you want to play in Pittsburgh and not be able to call an audible ?

Both Fields and RW audibled this season

 

[Snooki Stackhouse]

In my mind Judkins did the most for himself. To perform roughly on par with Henderson athletically at 20 pounds heavier was something I didn't expect.

 

[MrBrightside]

Well that would be gross.

 

[Pens x]

If Fields gets to free agency I’m guessing he’s gone. Darnold is likely to be the most expensive of the candidates. I want no part of Rodgers and if they run it back with Wilson…meh. Khan usually seems content to sit back and let the market fall to him but just not sure they’ll have that luxury here. Guess we will see…and I tend to agree with what Peat posted above that someone is going to pay Fields more than you’d expect.

Hopefully tubby Khan realizes you cant just sit around eating, letting the market fall to you. That is how you go into the season with Van Jefferson as your #2 receiver before any injuries.

Khan needs to be fired if they re-sign Wilson.

 

[Miserable4Misa]

Tough loss for Station Square losing out on Deebo. He'd have kept all the restaurants afloat.

 

[Peat]

Does Darnold take a lot of negative plays? At least last year, he had a 2.2% INT% and a 8.09 Sk%. The INT% was exactly league average and his Sk% was a bit above average, but nothing too egregious. Both Fields and Wilson were worse last year.

I think the bigger question with Darnold is how close he can maintain his level of production from last year. His turnover and sack rates aren't really much of an issue, but whether he's throwing 10 TDs with a 60% completion% or 30 TDs with a 66% completion% makes a huge difference. If you can get something in the middle, that's a perfectly solid starting QB.

Thought his numbers were worse than that, my bad. Although 8 fumbles ain't pretty for someone who doesn't really run. I'm not sure those are happy numbers for a game manager though but maybe my idea of what a game manager looks like has been skewed by the Steelers.

Will remark in passing though that if I'm putting any faith in the media, Darnold and the Steelers feels like the one thing that's not happening. Next to zero smoke on it.