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

[pistolpete11]

1. I'd imagine that when Smith goes, they'll look for a guy with similar concepts so that bit is okay

2. You know I very much agree with you but, devil's advocate a bit, I think you can make the case for Shough's boom. Hell, that profile does slightly - says he can be an adequate starter (wish he'd define adequate better), just it's unlikely due to the lucky breaks he'd require. He's got several serious plus traits - not quite elite, but very much a plus - and if he can stay fit and make a big jump in dealing with pressure, maybe there's a solid T2 QB who can give a really strong team a chance. Likely? Hell no. Would I do it before the fifth? No. But I think there is some boom there and he's not just a plucky polished guy.

1. Maybe, but Smith is completely different than Canada who was different than Fichtner....They might share some similarities (run heavy, overly conservative, etc.) because of the head coach, but styles have varied from coordinator to coordinator.

2. Fair enough. I don't know much about him to be honest and was basing my comment off that short write up. Though, 'injury risk' is a pretty big red flag for a QB behind only "slow processing' and 'poor accuracy' IMO.

 

[Peat]

1. Maybe, but Smith is completely different than Canada who was different than Fichtner....They might share some similarities (run heavy, overly conservative, etc.) because of the head coach, but styles have varied from coordinator to coordinator.

2. Fair enough. I don't know much about him to be honest and was basing my comment off that short write up. Though, 'injury risk' is a pretty big red flag for a QB behind only "slow processing' and 'poor accuracy' IMO.

Hmm. I might be overegging it. But I think of Smith as having enough in common with Shanahan-esque schemes - not to mention Tomlin's ever-increasing boner for the run - that I feel good about it. Besides, to approach it from another way, that fear is always going to be there so just got to get used to it.

And yeah, injury risk is a big red flag.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Granted I was a kid at the time, but I remember a lot of bitching and moaning over Kordell after the 'slash' hype died off. He was not a very good passer and while he was a good rusher for a QB (for the time at least), I don't think it made up for it. But again, I was a kid, and maybe he was a victim of the era he played in.

If you just look at Kordell's stats they're pretty mediocre rushing/receiving when NOD was QB. He was in for a ton of gadget and short yardage situations so that impacted his numbers. He was pretty damn good at getting the 1st down with his wiggle.

As a passer/QB , let's put him in the average to below average category. Woefully inaccurate and slow with his reads. His 97 season was a bit of a mirage because they leaned heavily on Bettis and Thigpen was a really good possession WR for him. Once the line started getting leaky and Bettis was removed he really got exposed. Not to mention that Thigpen left FA and essentially replaced him with Charles Johnson (one of the historically better pass blocking WRs)

Yes, I remember this era well

 

[pistolpete11]

Hmm. I might be overegging it. But I think of Smith as having enough in common with Shanahan-esque schemes - not to mention Tomlin's ever-increasing boner for the run - that I feel good about it. Besides, to approach it from another way, that fear is always going to be there so just got to get used to it.

And yeah, injury risk is a big red flag.

That concern will always be there to a certain extent, but the write up was he could possibly, maybe, with some development, be sorta, kinda passable if he runs this specific offense that may or may not be the offense we are running by the time he develops.

Again, could just be a poor write up.

 

[pistolpete11]

I kinda just feel like you draft a qb every year until one sticks
I don’t think Smith leaves he turned down UNC and he is the reason why RW isn’t coming back

I mean this just screams "We don't know what the hell we're doing when it comes to evaluating and/or developing QBs" which....is accurate....so maybe they should. But in general, I hate this idea because it means you're neglecting other positions every year. That adds up over time.

Turning down UNC doesn't mean anything. It's his alma mater, but they are a mediocre college program. The fact he even took interviews this season shows his intentions. His time here is limited.

 

[DanielPlainview]

If they’re truly punting to 2026+ then move Hayward and Watt.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Pretty much confirms they’re not taking a CB this year imo.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I mean this just screams "We don't know what the hell we're doing when it comes to evaluating and/or developing QBs" which....is accurate....so maybe they should. But in general, I hate this idea because it means you're neglecting other positions every year. That adds up over time.

I feel like this organization is just a bunch of "check the box and move on" droids.

- Draft a QB in the later rounds like they did with that Oklafor dude only to immediately cut him. They can now say they've tried to find a QB.
- Throw a pass to Muth over the middle of the field. Never to be done again until 2 quarters later. But we can say we throw MOF
-Throw a deep high point pass to Mike Williams. Don't target him again for another 3 games. We can say we utilized a guy we traded for.

Considering they can't or don't understand how to ID a QB with potential, it's dumb to keep picking these late round QB's. Find a guy who is in the league that you like and trade for him or wait until he's released.

 

[Peat]

Re Smith looking to leave - someone got his name into the media a lot for hirings, and either that's genuinely other teams liking him in which case it happens sooner rather than later, or it's his agent because Smith wants to go. In which case, well, we'll see whether other teams like him enough.

That concern will always be there to a certain extent, but the write up was he could possibly, maybe, with some development, be sorta, kinda passable if he runs this specific offense that may or may not be the offense we are running by the time he develops.

Again, could just be a poor write up.

To me it read like an honest one of the "most QBs don't work out" variety. They're all long shots. But he's got more intrigue than many.

Which brings me back to the draft a QB every year thing. I don't agree with it because I think that at that level of churn you're likely to start releasing guys without ever finding out what they have - and other teams' released guys can get you some decent QBs - but given how hard it is to find them, I do support a fairly aggressive recruitment rate there.

 

[xlm34]

I think Smith’s rep around the league is probably a lot better than it is with fans so it wouldn’t surprise me if the interest he apparently had this year was legitimate.

I’d imagine he’ll be gone first chance he gets though. He was definitely one of the coaches that was not happy with how the QB situation last year was handled.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I feel like this organization is just a bunch of "check the box and move on" droids.

- Draft a QB in the later rounds like they did with that Oklafor dude only to immediately cut him. They can now say they've tried to find a QB.
- Throw a pass to Muth over the middle of the field. Never to be done again until 2 quarters later. But we can say we throw MOF
-Throw a deep high point pass to Mike Williams. Don't target him again for another 3 games. We can say we utilized a guy we traded for.

Considering they can't or don't understand how to ID a QB with potential, it's dumb to keep picking these late round QB's. Find a guy who is in the league that you like and trade for him or wait until he's released.

I’m pretty open about the fact I’m enjoying watching Tomlin and AR2 look like fools and constantly embarrass the org - because that’s the only way real change will ever happen.

Many Steeler fans are big mad about how comically bad this off-season has gone, but I see it as a great thing long term.

Just have to zoom out.

They needed to hit rock bottom like this.

Fields coming out today and saying he preferred Glenn over Tomlin and AR using the Steelers as a last resort is pretty telling where things are for this org around the league.

AR2 and Tomlin (Ie “the org”) couldn’t look anymore incompetent and desperate than they do now - and it’s of their own making, not bad luck.

I’m hoping this is their massive wake up call to make moving up in the draft to find their next franchise guy their A1 priority.

If not, they are even more hopeless than I thought, and my opinion can’t get much lower for Tomlin and AR2.

 

[DanielPlainview]

By the time the Deuce passes the team on to the next generation, it'll be like Dan inheriting the pre-70s Steelers

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I mean this just screams "We don't know what the hell we're doing when it comes to evaluating and/or developing QBs" which....is accurate....so maybe they should. But in general, I hate this idea because it means you're neglecting other positions every year. That adds up over time.

Turning down UNC doesn't mean anything. It's his alma mater, but they are a mediocre college program. The fact he even took interviews this season shows his intentions. His time here is limited.

I don’t know Holmgrem in Greenbay used to collect Qb like they were qbs. You carry 3 qbs on the roster and teams can never have enough. He interviewed for the Jets and was their 2nd choice last 2 cycles. He wasn’t even a finalist for anything else

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I’m pretty open about the fact I’m enjoying watching Tomlin and AR2 look like fools and constantly embarrass the org - because that’s the only way real change will ever happen.

Many Steeler fans are big mad about how comically bad this off-season has gone, but I see it as a great thing long term.

Just have to zoom out.

They needed to hit rock bottom like this.

Fields coming out today and saying he preferred Glenn over Tomlin and AR using the Steelers as a last resort is pretty telling where things are for this org around the league.

AR2 and Tomlin (Ie “the org”) couldn’t look anymore incompetent and desperate than they do now - and it’s of their own making, not bad luck.

I’m hoping this is their massive wake up call to make moving up in the draft to find their next franchise guy their A1 priority.

If not, they are even more hopeless than I thought, and my opinion can’t get much lower for Tomlin and AR2.

He took the money from the Jets what else what he say. They jets are going to draft a qb in the 1st 2 rounds and most likely the rookie will start mid season for the jets

 

[pistolpete11]

With Smith, him leaving for a HC gig is one possibility. Another is that the offense doesn't improve and the Steelers (or Smith himself) decide to part ways.

I find it kind of hard to believe that the offense continues to struggle and they want to keep him around or the offense improves and another team doesn't come knocking.

If they take a QB next year, you ideally would want a OC that is committed long term (relatively speaking of course, the NFL moves quickly) so that you're not changing offenses on a rookie like the Bears did with Fields. Not sure they would want a lame duck OC.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Smith offense is under center play action attacking in breaking routes west coast and zone runs. Part of the reason why they moved off of najaee is because warren is better fit for smith scheme. They really need another rb cause Warren has never had more than 16 carries in a game. Kenny has a season high 80 carries

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

He took the money from the Jets what else what he say. They jets are going to draft a qb in the 1st 2 rounds and most likely the rookie will start mid season for the jets

He had a good offer from the Steelers as well - he didn’t want to play for Tomlin. They thought Fields would give a “Tomlin Discount”, which shows how out of touch the org is about reality.

Fields didn’t trust him.

Just like a washed AR doesn’t want to play for Tomlin unless he has little to no options.

The idea guys are flocking to the Steelers to play for Tomlin is a myth.

 

[Peat]

I know there's been multiple reports on this, but wasn't the first one out saying the Steelers offered 10m less dollars than the Jets? Maybe guaranteed as well iirc? That one is kind of a no brainer.

 

[pistolpete11]

I don’t know Holmgrem in Greenbay used to collect Qb like they were qbs. You carry 3 qbs on the roster and teams can never have enough. He interviewed for the Jets and was their 2nd choice last 2 cycles. He wasn’t even a finalist for anything else

"used to collect Qb like they were qbs" Nobody can argue with that, I guess . QB's are, in fact, QB's.

Meh, I guess. I mean, he drafted Brunell in the 5th, flipped him in '95 for a 3rd and a 5th to the expansion Jags, and then drafted his replacement with one of their 5th rounders. The rest of his drafted QBs in Green Bay were in the 6th, 7th, or even 9th rounds. If that's what we're talking about, I don't really care enough to argue. 6th and 7th rounds are dart throws regardless of position, who cares.

 

[Ryder71]

Steelers are looking rather pathetic with this waiting on AR. Just go with Mason, get a back up and stop looking so beta. This team is tone deaf in how ridiculous they look in waiting on a 41 yr old quirky QB.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

He had a good offer from the Steelers as well - he didn’t want to play for Tomlin. They thought Fields would give a “Tomlin Discount”, which shows how out of touch the org is about reality.

Fields didn’t trust him.

Just like a washed AR doesn’t want to play for Tomlin unless he has little to no options.

The idea guys are flocking to the Steelers to play for Tomlin is a myth.

He had an offer of 2/30 with 20 million fully guaranteed from us. The jets offered him 2/40 with 30 million guaranteed it’s not rocket science. This is very likely JF last pay day before he is a backup

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

He had an offer of 2/30 with 20 million fully guaranteed from us. The jets offered him 2/40 with 30 million guaranteed it’s not rocket science. This is very likely JF last pay day before he is a backup

As I said before, if a guy wants to be a Steeler, he doesn’t get to FA.

If he is all in and loves the situation, a guy will sign and give that “Tomlin Discount”, knowing he’s losing the millions he could get if he goes to market.

It’s been happening in the NFL since ‘93 - not a new idea. Countless guys have given up their right to hit FA because they want to play for Team X.

Fields didn’t want to play for Tomlin.

Just like AR sees Tomlin as a last resort or he retires.

Tomlin and the Steelers aren’t where AR prefers to be or again, he would have signed already.

Which I’m not going to complain about, but it shows the Steelers under Tomlin aren’t highly regarded anymore.

15 years of doing nothing kind of has that effect on players around the NFL.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

As I said before, if a guy wants to be a Steeler, he doesn’t get to FA.

If he is all in and loves the situation, a guy will sign and give that “Tomlin Discount”, knowing he’s losing the millions he could get if he goes to market.

It’s been happening in the NFL since ‘93 - not a new idea. Countless guys have given up their right to hit FA because they want to play for Team X.

Fields didn’t want to play for Tomlin.

Just like AR sees Tomlin as a last resort or he retires.

Tomlin and the Steelers aren’t where AR prefers to be or again, he would have signed already.

Which I’m not going to complain about, but it shows the Steelers under Tomlin aren’t highly regarded anymore.

15 years of doing nothing kind of has that effect on players around the

As I said before, if a guy wants to be a Steeler, he doesn’t get to FA.

If he is all in and loves the situation, a guy will sign and give that “Tomlin Discount”, knowing he’s losing the millions he could get if he goes to market.

It’s been happening in the NFL since ‘93 - not a new idea. Countless guys have given up their right to hit FA because they want to play for Team X.

Fields didn’t want to play for Tomlin.

Just like AR sees Tomlin as a last resort or he retires.

Tomlin and the Steelers aren’t where AR prefers to be or again, he would have signed already.

Which I’m not going to complain about, but it shows the Steelers under Tomlin aren’t highly regarded anymore.

15 years of doing nothing kind of has that effect on players around the NFL.

Plenty of guys tested free agency and decided to take the Steelers offer and returned. If the Steelers offered identical guaranteed money sure you would have a point.
No one is worried about AR he could very easily decide to retire. It’s funny that Sly signed her because of Tomlin and Austin

 

[ChaosAgent]

Steelers are looking rather pathetic with this waiting on AR. Just go with Mason, get a back up and stop looking so beta. This team is tone deaf in how ridiculous they look in waiting on a 41 yr old quirky QB.

I would take Rodgers if there is a way to have zero financial commitment in 2026 to him. If we are in a situation where getting rid of Rodgers eats up 5-10% of our 2026 cap, it is Mason time.

 

[Ryder71]

I would take Rodgers if there is a way to have zero financial commitment in 2026 to him. If we are in a situation where getting rid of Rodgers eats up 5-10% of our 2026 cap, it is Mason time.

Waiting on a player like this looks really desperate though. For a storied franchise it's not a good look. Also, if AR hasn't made up his mind at this point does he really wanna be here? Nah, hard pass!