OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Off Season We dont need a QB Edition

[Buddy Bizarre]

I thought Rudolph was holding a grudge against the Steelers?

I actually think Rudolph fits Smith's offense pretty well and could have some success if he ends up starting. Not enough to win more than 9-10 games and lose in the first round of the playoffs, but he can run play action and throws a good deep ball. Like that he's signed for 2 years, too. Perfect transition guy for the rookie.

I think they will still end up with Rodgers, though. Rodgers obviously wants to go to Minnesota, and for good reason, but I can't see him accepting a QB competition and/or mentor role. Giants are a mess. So I think he'll settle to basically be guaranteed the starting job, on a decent team, with a HC he likes.

That was my own conjecture. I thought MR would not be happy about how things went down in his last season and there were grumblings he didn't like it.

I got that wrong and I own misreading the situation.

 

[JTG]

I thought Rudolph was holding a grudge against the Steelers?

I actually think Rudolph fits Smith's offense pretty well and could have some success if he ends up starting. Not enough to win more than 9-10 games and lose in the first round of the playoffs, but he can run play action and throws a good deep ball. Like that he's signed for 2 years, too. Perfect transition guy for the rookie.

I think they will still end up with Rodgers, though. Rodgers obviously wants to go to Minnesota, and for good reason, but I can't see him accepting a QB competition and/or mentor role. Giants are a mess. So I think he'll settle to basically be guaranteed the starting job, on a decent team, with a HC he likes.

Just like everything in life - opinions change when money is involved.

What would be cool now is for Ben to stop being a punk to Mason and maybe give him the mentoring that he should have received from when Ben was playing.

I think this probably keeps Mason here for a long time because if he does well...we are going to sign him as the starter. If he just does OK...may as well keep him on as a 2nd stringer...which is what he is. Charlie Batch 2.0.

There really would be nothing better than this thing going totally nuclear this season going into the draft in Pittsburgh.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Kaboly: 'Zero Chance' For Pickens' Extension, Explains Why Steelers Won't Trade Him, Either

If wide receiver George Pickens puts on a brave face and doesn’t push the “trade me” button the way DK Metcalf did, which eventually brought him to Pittsburgh, he’s set to play out the final year of his rookie contract and leave the Steelers next offseason. And though that makes him a sensible...

steelersdepot.com

Synopsis: Kaboly suggests Steelers don’t want to keep Pickens long term, but won’t trade him either because they need him to win the SB this year.

Sounds about right for this org.

Steelers have went from a suave Bond type character to a toothless meth addict under AR2 and Tomlin.

 

[JTG]

Kaboly: 'Zero Chance' For Pickens' Extension, Explains Why Steelers Won't Trade Him, Either

If wide receiver George Pickens puts on a brave face and doesn’t push the “trade me” button the way DK Metcalf did, which eventually brought him to Pittsburgh, he’s set to play out the final year of his rookie contract and leave the Steelers next offseason. And though that makes him a sensible...

steelersdepot.com

Synopsis: Kaboly suggests Steelers don’t want to keep Pickens long term, but won’t trade him either because they need him to win the SB this year.

Sounds about right for this org.

That is legitimately how I thought this would go in my head. They are cool getting a 3rd round comp pick for him.

I hate this organization right now.

 

[Andy99]

That is legitimately how I thought this would go in my head. They are cool getting a 3rd round comp pick for him.

I hate this organization right now.

But if you can get a 2nd or higher 3rd round pick for him, and maybe you can’t, why wouldnt you do that? Lol…better asset management, but let’s delude ourselves we’re finally going to win a playoff game this upcoming season with an even worse QB situation

 

[Empoleon8771]

Kaboly's argument there makes zero sense. You have the ability to pay 2 WRs significant money because you're going to have a rookie deal QB for the entirety of Metcalf's extension. His argument is just "they won't pay 2 WRs", which would just result in them being in the same exact position with Metcalf as they were with Pickens. Just a lot older and more expensive.

I don't mind trading Pickens, but the reason to trade Pickens is that you want a different style WR2 than him. You still need a legit WR2 either through the draft or free agency if you trade Pickens.

 

[xlm34]

Kaboly is the typical Pittsburgh media guy that has no clue what’s actually going on, but if they have no intention of signing Pickens long term there’s zero reason for him to be on the roster by week one.

 

[End of Line]

Kaboly: 'Zero Chance' For Pickens' Extension, Explains Why Steelers Won't Trade Him, Either

If wide receiver George Pickens puts on a brave face and doesn’t push the “trade me” button the way DK Metcalf did, which eventually brought him to Pittsburgh, he’s set to play out the final year of his rookie contract and leave the Steelers next offseason. And though that makes him a sensible...

steelersdepot.com

Synopsis: Kaboly suggests Steelers don’t want to keep Pickens long term, but won’t trade him either because they need him to win the SB this year.

Sounds about right for this org.

Steelers have went from a suave Bond type character to a toothless meth addict under AR2 and Tomlin.

Superbowl!? Hahahahahaha

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Kaboly's argument there makes zero sense. You have the ability to pay 2 WRs significant money because you're going to have a rookie deal QB for the entirety of Metcalf's extension. His argument is just "they won't pay 2 WRs", which would just result in them being in the same exact position with Metcalf as they were with Pickens. Just a lot older and more expensive.

I don't mind trading Pickens, but the reason to trade Pickens is that you want a different style WR2 than him. You still need a legit WR2 either through the draft or free agency if you trade Pickens.

I think the end result is the same: Pickens won't be resigned.
But the reasons behind it seem strange for exactly what you outlined- they'll have the money.

So perhaps this is a bit of PR spin to GP: we aren't going to trade you, so be on your best behavior. And it's not about money.

This allows them to exceed GP's expectations if he does behave and they ultimately extend him. I think this leak is truly about them being pre-emptive. I believe the Steelers don't want another GP saga playing out this season and this is their best way to manage the situation. Honestly not a bad ploy.

I still say the DK trade was bad. Don't get me wrong, I like DK the player, but hate the cost paid.

Steelers could have solved their WR2 situation by trading Cooper Kupp for like a 6th round pick. Would have allowed them to use that 2nd round pick to grab yet another WR who will be younger than all the guys in the room. Dumb dumb dumb...

 

[xlm34]

I think the end result is the same: Pickens won't be resigned.
But the reasons behind it seem strange for exactly what you outlined- they'll have the money.

So perhaps this is a bit of PR spin to GP: we aren't going to trade you, so be on your best behavior. And it's not about money.

This allows them to exceed GP's expectations if he does behave and they ultimately extend him. I think this leak is truly about them being pre-emptive. I believe the Steelers don't want another GP saga playing out this season and this is their best way to manage the situation. Honestly not a bad ploy.

I still say the DK trade was bad. Don't get me wrong, I like DK the player, but hate the cost paid.

Steelers could have solved their WR2 situation by trading Cooper Kupp for like a 6th round pick. Would have allowed them to use that 2nd round pick to grab yet another WR who will be younger than all the guys in the room. Dumb dumb dumb...

Metcalf is a significantly better player than Kupp at this point.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Kaboly is the typical Pittsburgh media guy that has no clue what’s actually going on, but if they have no intention of signing Pickens long term there’s zero reason for him to be on the roster by week one.

It's right there in the article. This team is SB bound, BAAYYYBEEE!!!!

 

[JTG]

But if you can get a 2nd or higher 3rd round pick for him, and maybe you can’t, why wouldnt you do that? Lol…better asset management, but let’s delude ourselves we’re finally going to win a playoff game this upcoming season with an even worse QB situation

I totally agree. But this is just how they do business. It's infuriating, but their thought is that running a team is always fluid, and at any given time you are trying to have the best 52 guys possible. We saw how quickly a team can go from the Killer B era to nothing because of two doofuses.

A team like ours though...trade the guy. We need a QB now more than ever. We aren't chasing anything until then, so until then, I'd maximize assets. When you HAVE your QB...that's when you let big time WRs walk in free agency to give your team the best shot to win.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

That is legitimately how I thought this would go in my head. They are cool getting a 3rd round comp pick for him.

I hate this organization right now.

The fact they think they are SB contenders is what is frustrating, way more-so than the Pickens stuff.

They truly believe they have some elite, SB ready D with their aging core of Heyward, Watt and Fitz.

The same D that just gave up a franchise playoff record 300 yards on the ground.

Instead of moving those guys for draft capital and starting over, they will give Watt a mega deal, he will decline and the team will remain mediocre.

You have zero playoff wins with Fitz and Watt in the six seasons they have been the core of the D - along with Heyward.

It’s time to accept reality and rebuild.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Metcalf is a significantly better player than Kupp at this point.

Oh 100% I agree. But sometimes it's more about fit vs overall talent.

DK and GP are identical players - vertical boundary types.
Which does not solve the issue of attacking every part of the field. This offense, even with DK in the mix does not make itself difficult to defend. All the successful offenses attack each part of the field.

Kupp would allowed them the opportunity or at least the threat of running curls, slants, etc underneath. This team has zero good route runners still. In short, Kupp would be more complimentary to GP than DK is.

 

[JTG]

I'd personally use Pickens to try to move up in the 1st round, honestly. Carolina - Pickens and 21 for 8.

But being able to do that, we really are better saving ammo for the next 2 drafts.

 

[JTG]

The fact they think they are SB contenders is what is frustrating, way more-so than the Pickens stuff.

They truly believe they have some elite, SB ready D with their aging core of Heyward, Watt and Fitz.

The same D that just gave up a franchise playoff record 300 yards on the ground.

Instead of moving those guys for draft capital and starting over, they will give Watt a mega deal, he will decline and the team will remain mediocre.

You have zero playoff wins with Fitz and Watt in the six seasons they have been the core of the D - along with Heyward.

It’s time to accept reality and rebuild.

The time to rebuild is now, but I really do believe that the rebuild comes or not depending on this season. Everyone is starting to feel it, I think, and I don't think the media is going to continue being as kind. They have already started turning the water a bit warmer when talking about Tomlin.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

The time to rebuild is now, but I really do believe that the rebuild comes or not depending on this season. Everyone is starting to feel it, I think, and I don't think the media is going to continue being as kind. They have already started turning the water a bit warmer when talking about Tomlin.

They have made such fools of themselves this off-season, losing a Bears cast off to the Jets of all teams, then waiting on some cooked crazy f*** QB who sees you as sloppy seconds…

I know this could be a punchline with this org - but embarrassing themselves this badly has to be a wake up call how badly they mangled the QB situation since BEFORE Roth retired.

If they aren’t all in trying to get a franchise QB next draft, they are truly hopeless.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Oh 100% I agree. But sometimes it's more about fit vs overall talent.

DK and GP are identical players - vertical boundary types.
Which does not solve the issue of attacking every part of the field. This offense, even with DK in the mix does not make itself difficult to defend. All the successful offenses attack each part of the field.

Kupp would allowed them the opportunity or at least the threat of running curls, slants, etc underneath. This team has zero good route runners still. In short, Kupp would be more complimentary to GP than DK is.

Both GP and DK can play in the slot. They can both run crossers slants and have done so out of the slot. They drafted RW to be the route runner and Ca3 is capable of playing outside and in the slot. If Smith thinks they can attack the in breaking routes off play action with Mason like he did with Tanahill it could work

 

[DanielPlainview]

They might as well trade Watt if they’re phoning it in at QB.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I think the end result is the same: Pickens won't be resigned.
But the reasons behind it seem strange for exactly what you outlined- they'll have the money.

So perhaps this is a bit of PR spin to GP: we aren't going to trade you, so be on your best behavior. And it's not about money.

This allows them to exceed GP's expectations if he does behave and they ultimately extend him. I think this leak is truly about them being pre-emptive. I believe the Steelers don't want another GP saga playing out this season and this is their best way to manage the situation. Honestly not a bad ploy.

I still say the DK trade was bad. Don't get me wrong, I like DK the player, but hate the cost paid.

Steelers could have solved their WR2 situation by trading Cooper Kupp for like a 6th round pick. Would have allowed them to use that 2nd round pick to grab yet another WR who will be younger than all the guys in the room. Dumb dumb dumb...

Kupp isn’t good anymore. They wanted Aiyuk DK is a better player than Aiyuk. I fully expect GP to get a tag like Higgins after the season

 

[xlm34]

Oh 100% I agree. But sometimes it's more about fit vs overall talent.

DK and GP are identical players - vertical boundary types.
Which does not solve the issue of attacking every part of the field. This offense, even with DK in the mix does not make itself difficult to defend. All the successful offenses attack each part of the field.

Kupp would allowed them the opportunity or at least the threat of running curls, slants, etc underneath. This team has zero good route runners still. In short, Kupp would be more complimentary to GP than DK is.

I think DK and GP on the field at the same time and having to choose which to double would cause DCs some headaches if the Steelers had a competent QB. Especially if the Steelers can actually run the ball against light boxes next year.

I also think it’s a move for the future as much as it is for the now. With Kupp, I think you’re lucky if you get more than a year out of him with the way his body is breaking down. Metcalf is Pickens insurance and should still be a borderline number one type for the next QB they draft.

I don’t know. I definitely think Metcalf is going to get hyped up by fans in the offseason to be something more than he is, but I think it was a solid move.

 

[Snooki Stackhouse]

They might as well trade Watt if they’re phoning it in at QB.

The crazy thing is I think they genuinely think they can compete and the QB doesn't matter. They'll keep their guys on D and cheap out at QB. And they'll tell everyone quite seriously that the Superbowl is their goal. Such a strange org.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Both GP and DK can play in the slot. They can both run crossers slants and have done so out of the slot. They drafted RW to be the route runner and Ca3 is capable of playing outside and in the slot. If Smith thinks they can attack the in breaking routes off play action with Mason like he did with Tanahill it could work

We're back to this argument again?

How many times have you seen GP catch a pass in the MOF?
Better yet, when is the last time you saw a FIRST READ slant from this offense. Forget GP or anyone else. They don't do quick slants.

I keep telling you, this offense avoids MOF like the plague. They send routes to MOF, but they're essentially decoys and last reads. This offense is barely any different from since 2021. DC"s aren't stupid (well ours is).

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I'd personally use Pickens to try to move up in the 1st round, honestly. Carolina - Pickens and 21 for 8.

But being able to do that, we really are better saving ammo for the next 2 drafts.

Unsure if GP is getting a R1 pick. I mean DK went for a 2nd and I think he's better than GP.

Been harping on it that the Bills should be all over GP. Recoup our 2nd Rd pick at least.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Kupp isn’t good anymore. They wanted Aiyuk DK is a better player than Aiyuk. I fully expect GP to get a tag like Higgins after the season

67 catches for 6 Tds.
Is that better or worse than any of our WR's last year?

So if CK isn't good anymore, then what does that make our existing WR look like?

Cooper Kupp Career Stats - NFL - ESPN

Complete career NFL stats for Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp on ESPN. Includes scoring, rushing, defensive and receiving stats.

www.espn.com