Justin Fields case for QB1

[DesertSteel]

224 and 168.

These are the passing yards it took to beat the Ravens just last season.

This season I don't know if we can stop their run game. I don't think 400 yards passing will make much difference.

I'm counting on Henry being injured by the time the Steelers play them.

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Dan Orlovsky already had a segment where he showed multiple plays where the D Line had easy TFL's setup on Fields and he escaped for positive run yardage and completions. DO pointed out that Wilson doesnt have that mobility and would have been sacked for losses and likely drive killer plays.

With this patchwork and under performing O line, Fields is one of the main reasons that the Steelers keep moving the chains on many of those drives. He isnt going to the bench unless he costs them 2 games in a row or more.

Exactly. Many knowledgable analysts are seeing the positives that Fields is bringing, but we still have several experts on here who are willing to tell us that it won't cut it.

[pczach]

People talk like Justin Fields is a rookie, let's remember this is his 4th season in the NFL and 6th start this season. Fields is consistent and effective when it comes to knowing when to tuck the ball and run. He is the opposite as a passer. Yesterday showed inaccuracy and poor decision making in that category. When Fields plays Baltimore,KC or the Texans, 140 yards passing won't cut it.

The thing so many don't seem to realize is that sometimes it takes much longer for the lights to come on, plus all quarterbacks need to play in systems that fit their physical and mental gifts. All you have to do is see quarterbacks like Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith, and Sam Donald succeed with new teams with different offensive systems and different coaches that help everything click for them. Also, some players simply take longer to develop than others.

I am not anointing Justin Fields as a hall of fame player. I am simply telling you how things sometimes work in the NFL regarding the quarterback position. It is the hardest position to play in all of sports and is physically and mentally demanding. Many teams miss on how to use the skillset, how to coach them, and how to work with the player to adapt to what the player does well rather than making them play in a system that doesn't fit what they do well.

The year Fields came out in the draft, I told people not to be surprised if Fields turns out to be the best quarterback in that year's class ahead of Trevor Lawrence. He has that kind of physical ability. The unknown was whether he could handle the processing of information at the next level. He is beginning to show that he can process information at a much higher rate than many believed. He has a chance to really be something special if he can clean some things up like his fumbles, while continuing to process information faster, his recognition of the defenses continues to improve, and he can execute consistently within the system while utilizing his athleticism to go beyond the X's and O's to make special plays.

[El Kabong]

I'm counting on Henry being injured by the time the Steelers play them.

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Exactly. Many knowledgable analysts are seeing the positives that Fields is bringing, but we still have several experts on here who are willing to tell us that it won't cut it.

I do not believe Justin Fields's athletic ability is enough to get us to a super bowl. If we are going to get to a super bowl with Fields as our QB, he is going to have to be a much better passer.

[Mojouw]

The thing so many don't seem to realize is that sometimes it takes much longer for the lights to come on, plus all quarterbacks need to play in systems that fit their physical and mental gifts. All you have to do is see quarterbacks like Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith, and Sam Donald succeed with new teams with different offensive systems and different coaches that help everything click for them. Also, some players simply take longer to develop than others.

I am not anointing Justin Fields as a hall of fame player. I am simply telling you how things sometimes work in the NFL regarding the quarterback position. It is the hardest position to play in all of sports and is physically and mentally demanding. Many teams miss on how to use the skillset, how to coach them, and how to work with the player to adapt to what the player does well rather than making them play in a system that doesn't fit what they do well.

The year Fields came out in the draft, I told people not to be surprised if Fields turns out to be the best quarterback in that year's class ahead of Trevor Lawrence. He has that kind of physical ability. The unknown was whether he could handle the processing of information at the next level. He is beginning to show that he can process information at a much higher rate than many believed. He has a chance to really be something special if he can clean some things up like his fumbles, while continuing to process information faster, his recognition of the defenses continues to improve, and he can execute consistently within the system while utilizing his athleticism to go beyond the X's and O's to make special plays.

An interesting stat is that Caleb Williams threw over 450 more passes in college than Fields did. Jayden Daniels threw well over twice the amount of passes during his college career. That kinda seems like a pretty noticeable numbers.

Then you get to the NFL....and look at the support systems that all three were put in. One of those was not like the other. So you take the MOST inexperienced passer and put him in the WORST setting and then wonder why it went poorly?

Honestly, I evaluate Fields like a rookie QB to a degree. And by that metric....he is the third best 2024 rookie QB behind some order of Williams and Daniels with Richardson at 4th (I figure he might as well be in this conversation) and Bo Nix somewhere in the back.

And before I get slammed for making excuses...Getsy was the OC for Fields for 2 of his three years...I think....but he is the OC of the Raiders now....what about the game on Sunday indicated Getsy is ANY good at his job?

But my brain doesn't always work so good...

[DesertSteel]

I do not believe Justin Fields's athletic ability is enough to get us to a super bowl. If we are going to get to a super bowl with Fields as our QB, he is going to have to be a much better passer.

A couple of decent receivers who get open might help too. And I hate to break it to you, but the Chiefs are winning the Super Bowl.

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The Steelers have scored 11 touchdowns this season. Justin Fields is responsible for 10 of them. He's on pace for 28 TDs.

[Voice of Reason]

A bad snap that gets dropped and picked right back up is counted as a fumble. All fumbles are not equal.

This.

[Voice of Reason]

I think Fields has earned the right to survive one bad game. He needs to continue to grow, and he can only do that by playing and learning.

I think they have to keep starting Fields. The offensive line is horrendous right now. Wilson may be able to make a couple more quick decisions and get the ball out of his hands to the right guy, but he would also be taking a lot more sacks for negative plays. Fields has been managing games and keeping turnovers low. Sure he makes some mistakes and has gotten fortunate as a few of his fumbles have been recovered, but the man is winning football games and hopefully learning and improving at his craft as he goes. He is also the only choice if you are looking for a long-term starter. Russell Wilson is at the end of his career. Fields has a chance to be the future.

This is consistent with what I said about Kenny Pickett. I support the young quarterbacks because I know how difficult it is to play the position. It is the responsibility of the coaching staff to put them in the best position to succeed on the field, and to surround them with the proper system, personnel, play calling, and a personal support system to facilitate them to reach their personal best performance level.

It doesn't matter who the quarterback is. This is what I believe needs to be done with whoever the current young quarterback is until it is proven they can't do it at a high enough level. It is exactly why I supported Pickett, and why I currently support Fields. This is about my team winning long-term. I don't just evaluate how the player is performing. I am also evaluating how everyone around him on the field is performing, as well as how the head coach, coaching staff, and front office are performing in putting him in the best position to succeed. It's the only way to try to figure out a players worth going forward.

Exactly right. I now modify my recommendation to say that Fields should not be benched until the Steelers lose at least TWO games in a row because of him.

[pczach]

An interesting stat is that Caleb Williams threw over 450 more passes in college than Fields did. Jayden Daniels threw well over twice the amount of passes during his college career. That kinda seems like a pretty noticeable numbers.

Then you get to the NFL....and look at the support systems that all three were put in. One of those was not like the other. So you take the MOST inexperienced passer and put him in the WORST setting and then wonder why it went poorly?

Honestly, I evaluate Fields like a rookie QB to a degree. And by that metric....he is the third best 2024 rookie QB behind some order of Williams and Daniels with Richardson at 4th (I figure he might as well be in this conversation) and Bo Nix somewhere in the back.

And before I get slammed for making excuses...Getsy was the OC for Fields for 2 of his three years...I think....but he is the OC of the Raiders now....what about the game on Sunday indicated Getsy is ANY good at his job?

But my brain doesn't always work so good...

You don't have to convince me. I know he was underutilized at Ohio State. They probably should have pushed him to do more. They kept it simple and let his athleticism take over when necessary. They didn't do Fields any favors preparing him for the NFL. I think they underestimated what he was capable of. Either that, or they simply thought they didn't want to mess with what was working. He never put in the reps in a sophisticated passing system at the college level. There was so much for him to learn once he got to the NFL, and he was trapped with inept coaching and no talent around him.

I think we are now seeing him in a system that works for him, and he has embraced the coaching and playing within the system. He now only steps out of the system with his athleticism when he needs to, rather than relying on that athleticism over operating within the system like he did with the Bears. It takes a ton of work, and it takes a lot of time and trust in what you're doing. I think Arthur Smith has done a great job getting him to believe in what he's doing. Now I hope he can continue to improve and become a more dynamic player within the system. If he can do that and become a technician in the passing game to go along with his elite physical traits, he will be a very good quarterback and a true weapon.

There is still much to do. Much of what he is doing is more basic with his reads, but they seem to be asking more of him because he has earned their trust. The more he shows he can handle...the more they will give him.

I'm really rooting for him to take that leap.

[Mojouw]

You don't have to convince me. I know he was underutilized at Ohio State. They probably should have pushed him to do more. They kept it simple and let his athleticism take over when necessary. They didn't do Fields any favors preparing him for the NFL. I think they underestimated what he was capable of. Either that, or they simply thought they didn't want to mess with what was working. He never put in the reps in a sophisticated passing system at the college level. There was so much for him to learn once he got to the NFL, and he was trapped with inept coaching and no talent around him.

I think we are now seeing him in a system that works for him, and he has embraced the coaching and playing within the system. He now only steps out of the system with his athleticism when he needs to, rather than relying on that athleticism over operating within the system like he did with the Bears. It takes a ton of work, and it takes a lot of time and trust in what you're doing. I think Arthur Smith has done a great job getting him to believe in what he's doing. Now I hope he can continue to improve and become a more dynamic player within the system. If he can do that and become a technician in the passing game to go along with his elite physical traits, he will be a very good quarterback and a true weapon.

There is still much to do. Much of what he is doing is more basic with his reads, but they seem to be asking more of him because he has earned their trust. The more he shows he can handle...the more they will give him.

I'm really rooting for him to take that leap.

I just was shocked when I looked up the actual numbers. OSU basically had him doing nothing. I am assuming that he also played behind a totally impenetrable OL and with WRs that were at least twice as good as the DBs covering them each week.

So he shows up in Chicago and finds a rickety OL (for at least 2 of his 3 years they had an OL WORSE than the recent Steelers lines), zero NFL caliber weapons, and a succession of fired coaching? I am starting to understand why he both struggled in Chicago looks like a totally different player in Pittsburgh.

I have no idea if he can take the final step(s) and really make the leap...but if he does, his ceiling is top 12 QB. And that is all they need to be competitive for quite some time.

[Dwinsgames]

[Dwinsgames]

[pczach]

I just was shocked when I looked up the actual numbers. OSU basically had him doing nothing. I am assuming that he also played behind a totally impenetrable OL and with WRs that were at least twice as good as the DBs covering them each week.

So he shows up in Chicago and finds a rickety OL (for at least 2 of his 3 years they had an OL WORSE than the recent Steelers lines), zero NFL caliber weapons, and a succession of fired coaching? I am starting to understand why he both struggled in Chicago looks like a totally different player in Pittsburgh.

I have no idea if he can take the final step(s) and really make the leap...but if he does, his ceiling is top 12 QB. And that is all they need to be competitive for quite some time.

Poor Justin Fields. All he had at the wide receiver position at Ohio State for the 2020-2021 season was Chris Olave, Julian Fleming, Jameson Williams, Garrett Wilson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the depth chart. Other than that.....he had no weapons at all!

I don't know how far he can ascend either, I just know he will have a hard time getting there and showing the team what he is capable of long-term if Wilson becomes the starter for the foreseeable future. If they are going to consider signing him to be the QB of the future, you would think they would want to give him as much playing time as possible.

I continue to disagree with many of the decisions Mike Tomlin makes regarding the quarterback position. I guess we will just have to see it play out.

[Dwinsgames]

[cubanstogie]

Exactly right. I now modify my recommendation to say that Fields should not be benched until the Steelers lose at least TWO games in a row because of him.

If Tomlin replaces Fields and Wilson plays worse I will be first to condemn him. Well second after you. It’s the opposite of what he did end of last year. The QB position has changed over the years. Fields has made up for a few bad passes with his legs. It’s not strictly a drop back passer position anymore with a few exceptions, Goff, Stafford and Carr. Cheapest back up in league should remain there until injury or a few sub par games by Fields. We shall see how it plays out.

[El Kabong]

And I hate to break it to you, but the Chiefs are winning the Super Bowl.

I think we should be trying anyway. Or should we just roll over and die? I'm not interested in making this season a rebuilding year, and I don't think the Steelers are either.

[Mojouw]

One, who knows who starts on Sunday. Not the internet.

Second, Fields is doing a lot of things well. And I’m optimistic about how much further he can go. BUT - he’s left a ton of plays out on the field and he’s been terrible at play action. Being that he plays in an offense based on play action, it is probable that the coaching staff sees that as an issue.

If te team starts Wilson, it won’t be hard to figure out why.

[ncgjka]

Mon hade an interesting take om DK / Ramone show: Tomlin wants Fields for the future, but also want to test Wilson, mainly to win a playoff game NOW. Fields is in development (mainly reading and finding wr's). They tell Fields he is the future, follow the plan, develop, learn, improve the weakness you may have. With all that Lamar-ish talent, geting a few % better on reads and execution on throws, will be leathal combined with the whole style of football Steelers want to play.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

[hawaiiansteeler]

[86WARD]

[Born2Steel]

Was Justin Field adored as much with the Bears as he has been with the Steelers?

What this tells me is that although he hasn't been perfect as a QB, he has been better than what he was in Chicago, as well as what we have had at the position here lately.

I do think the coaches and FO see something in him worth exploring. If Russell Wilson can help with the learning curve, why would you not use that tool?

[Mojouw]

Poor Justin Fields. All he had at the wide receiver position at Ohio State for the 2020-2021 season was Chris Olave, Julian Fleming, Jameson Williams, Garrett Wilson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the depth chart. Other than that.....he had no weapons at all!

I don't know how far he can ascend either, I just know he will have a hard time getting there and showing the team what he is capable of long-term if Wilson becomes the starter for the foreseeable future. If they are going to consider signing him to be the QB of the future, you would think they would want to give him as much playing time as possible.

I continue to disagree with many of the decisions Mike Tomlin makes regarding the quarterback position. I guess we will just have to see it play out.

I don't agree with these or basically anything they have done with the QB position since Ben's elbow exploded. But the team's decisions all have the common element of "what gives us the best chance to win THIS week" to them.

From that perspective....I guess that Wilson's assumed more proficient passing provides that?

Long-term....let us assume that Wilson comes and plays well. In THEORY....Fields "seeing" how the offense is intended to run, working on making actual play action fakes and then throws, and a few other things wouldn't be the worst thing that ever happened. If you treat Fields as a rookie....then him getting sent back to the bench would just fall under "development" and it wouldn't cause as much consternation. Of course, maybe Fields decides this is what makes him not want to sign here long term....

There is a TON to work through here. But the first step is to see if Wilson is actually BETTER. There is a great percentage of folks out there assuming that he is...

[pczach]

I don't agree with these or basically anything they have done with the QB position since Ben's elbow exploded. But the team's decisions all have the common element of "what gives us the best chance to win THIS week" to them.

From that perspective....I guess that Wilson's assumed more proficient passing provides that?

Long-term....let us assume that Wilson comes and plays well. In THEORY....Fields "seeing" how the offense is intended to run, working on making actual play action fakes and then throws, and a few other things wouldn't be the worst thing that ever happened. If you treat Fields as a rookie....then him getting sent back to the bench would just fall under "development" and it wouldn't cause as much consternation. Of course, maybe Fields decides this is what makes him not want to sign here long term....

There is a TON to work through here. But the first step is to see if Wilson is actually BETTER. There is a great percentage of folks out there assuming that he is...

This isn't me bashing Tomlin or the team. I want the team to win now too. I think we both just worry about the team being in a position to win for many years to come. Russell Wilson won't be around long enough for that to happen. He is an old man in football years.

Just because I think it's a mistake doesn't make me correct. We will see how this plays out. There are always things to learn as a quarterback. You never stop getting better in the mental aspects of the game. Understanding it....recognition. At some point, you physically can't perform at a high enough level, or you are shot from taking too many hits so you don't process information correctly because you don't want to get hit anymore. It can happen to anyone at any time. The only thing we know is that it happens to everyone eventually.

If Wilson plays, I'll be cheering for him to play great like everyone else. You know I defended Pickett. I just wanted him to be supported better.

I feel the same way about Fields. He is here. He is young. He shows promise. I just want that to be cultivated and give him the best chance to do well and for the team to win. If Fields can continue to improve and he is signed to a new contract, the team will contend for a long time. That's how I look at it.

We're on the same page.

[Steeler-in-west]

Super bowl with Fields? I doubt we win many games down the stretch in the regular season. No playoff team is going to allow Fields to move the chains with his legs. They will force him to be a passer. And thats where the trouble will begin.

[Mojouw]

This isn't me bashing Tomlin or the team. I want the team to win now too. I think we both just worry about the team being in a position to win for many years to come. Russell Wilson won't be around long enough for that to happen. He is an old man in football years.

Just because I think it's a mistake doesn't make me correct. We will see how this plays out. There are always things to learn as a quarterback. You never stop getting better in the mental aspects of the game. Understanding it....recognition. At some point, you physically can't perform at a high enough level, or you are shot from taking too many hits so you don't process information correctly because you don't want to get hit anymore. It can happen to anyone at any time. The only thing we know is that it happens to everyone eventually.

If Wilson plays, I'll be cheering for him to play great like everyone else. You know I defended Pickett. I just wanted him to be supported better.

I feel the same way about Fields. He is here. He is young. He shows promise. I just want that to be cultivated and give him the best chance to do well and for the team to win. If Fields can continue to improve and he is signed to a new contract, the team will contend for a long time. That's how I look at it.

We're on the same page.

I agree with all that.

For me, Fields is still an unfinished product. He came out of college with a low level of experience. Sure he played in some big games at OSU, but he threw a low # of passes on a comically loaded team. He wasn't doing all that much in terms of "making it work" or "carrying the team". Then he gets to the NFL, and he immediately has to do both of those things in order to not get killed on a given play. Bad habits set it. Bad coaching doesn't help. It spirals. And he gets fired.

BUT...Fields still has all those physical traits that made him a high draft pick. And here is where you and I have always parted ways....Pickett never had a single first round tool in my eyes. He did not have a foundation to build on. Even if the coaching staff had supported him (instead of the dumpster fire they chose)...I think it fizzles out because KP is not an NFL starting QB. And we don't have to relitigate that.

Returning to Fields....he intrigues me. Right now, he has physical tools on par with anyone in the league. POTENTIALLY with the right support and assistance by coaches and the roster in a year or two you have a QB who can compete with anyone in the league. It is certainly a dice roll/dart throw that Fields can re-start his stalled development and become that version of his potential. I have my doubts. But...I can not think of another path towards getting that level of QB in the building besides trading defensive stars for draft picks in a true tear-down and rebuild.

That is why I, if I was in charge of the Steelers, do everything in my power to "develop" Fields ASAP. If he's not "that guy"; the franchise should have that determination by the start of this next off-season cycle. Imagine how differently a franchise would approach this upcoming off-season with a QB versus without one.

[pczach]

I agree with all that.

For me, Fields is still an unfinished product. He came out of college with a low level of experience. Sure he played in some big games at OSU, but he threw a low # of passes on a comically loaded team. He wasn't doing all that much in terms of "making it work" or "carrying the team". Then he gets to the NFL, and he immediately has to do both of those things in order to not get killed on a given play. Bad habits set it. Bad coaching doesn't help. It spirals. And he gets fired.

BUT...Fields still has all those physical traits that made him a high draft pick. And here is where you and I have always parted ways....Pickett never had a single first round tool in my eyes. He did not have a foundation to build on. Even if the coaching staff had supported him (instead of the dumpster fire they chose)...I think it fizzles out because KP is not an NFL starting QB. And we don't have to relitigate that.

Returning to Fields....he intrigues me. Right now, he has physical tools on par with anyone in the league. POTENTIALLY with the right support and assistance by coaches and the roster in a year or two you have a QB who can compete with anyone in the league. It is certainly a dice roll/dart throw that Fields can re-start his stalled development and become that version of his potential. I have my doubts. But...I can not think of another path towards getting that level of QB in the building besides trading defensive stars for draft picks in a true tear-down and rebuild.

That is why I, if I was in charge of the Steelers, do everything in my power to "develop" Fields ASAP. If he's not "that guy"; the franchise should have that determination by the start of this next off-season cycle. Imagine how differently a franchise would approach this upcoming off-season with a QB versus without one.

I agree with everything you say about Fields.

In regard to Pickett. I didn't think he was worthy of a first round pick. I stated so before the draft. I was hoping they would take him later in the draft if he was available. If not, draft someone else like Howell, Ridder, or Purdy much later in the draft. You are correct, he doesn't have elite physical gifts from the standpoint of size, arm strength, mobility, or overall athleticism. But neither did Tom Brady. Neither did Peyton Manning. What elite physical gifts did Baker Mayfield have? Jared Goff? Kirk Cousins? My point is that so much of this game at the quarterback position is cerebral and psychological when it comes to quarterback play, and most of the time it is ignored in favor of the guy with the howitzer for an arm and runs like a deer. We see quarterbacks fail all the time and then emerge as much better players with other teams.

I just know that no quarterback can succeed in a bad offensive system with no support. I just wanted them to give Pickett that chance by doing their jobs to the best of their abilities. The coaches expected Pickett to do his job, so he loses his job. The coaches didn't do their jobs, and only certain people lost their jobs. The people that made all the choices that put Pickett in that situation are still in place. That is one of the reasons I have questions about why they are doing what they're doing. That's all. You and I both know that if any other team drafted a first round quarterback and hired Matt Cananda as their OC, and the offense was as terrible as it was for many seasons......heads would have rolled, and in particular, the head coach.

I was a Mike Tomlin defender for many years, but he has made enough mistakes, bad decisions, and has had no playoff success over most of the last 7-8 seasons to be immune from scrutiny and doubt.

Now that Fields is here, I want them to get this process right. They NEED to get this process right even from the standpoint of finding out whether Fields can be a franchise quarterback, or if they need to draft or acquire the next "guy". Russell Wilson is not the player to plan the future around.

[Mojouw]

I agree with everything you say about Fields.

In regard to Pickett. I didn't think he was worthy of a first round pick. I stated so before the draft. I was hoping they would take him later in the draft if he was available. If not, draft someone else like Howell, Ridder, or Purdy much later in the draft. You are correct, he doesn't have elite physical gifts from the standpoint of size, arm strength, mobility, or overall athleticism. But neither did Tom Brady. Neither did Peyton Manning. What elite physical gifts did Baker Mayfield have? Jared Goff? Kirk Cousins? My point is that so much of this game at the quarterback position is cerebral and psychological when it comes to quarterback play, and most of the time it is ignored in favor of the guy with the howitzer for an arm and runs like a deer. We see quarterbacks fail all the time and then emerge as much better players with other teams.

I just know that no quarterback can succeed in a bad offensive system with no support. I just wanted them to give Pickett that chance by doing their jobs to the best of their abilities. The coaches expected Pickett to do his job, so he loses his job. The coaches didn't do their jobs, and only certain people lost their jobs. The people that made all the choices that put Pickett in that situation are still in place. That is one of the reasons I have questions about why they are doing what they're doing. That's all. You and I both know that if any other team drafted a first round quarterback and hired Matt Cananda as their OC, and the offense was as terrible as it was for many seasons......heads would have rolled, and in particular, the head coach.

I was a Mike Tomlin defender for many years, but he has made enough mistakes, bad decisions, and has had no playoff success over most of the last 7-8 seasons to be immune from scrutiny and doubt.

Now that Fields is here, I want them to get this process right. They NEED to get this process right even from the standpoint of finding out whether Fields can be a franchise quarterback, or if they need to draft or acquire the next "guy". Russell Wilson is not the player to plan the future around.

I have NO basis for this....but I think Colbert "forced" the Pickett decision. I think he was determined to pull a "Newsome" and draft the next "franchise QB" on his way out the door. I honestly believe that Tomlin would've taken Malik Willis if he had total control over the decision.

Also, FWIW, I think Pickett lacked it in the cerebral department as well. I never bought that the "light bulb" went off for him magically during his super senior COVID adventure year. I have long believed that Jordan Addison happened. And KP's desire to roll out of the pocket and throw YOLO balls down the sideline met the perfect match at WR. He spent a couple of years trying to recreate that in the NFL mired in the worst offensive situation in the league and it didn't work. Hopefully he can go somewhere and retrain his brain Baker Mayfield style and play within himself and a good system and go on to NFL success.

Tomlin's sins at QB are all related to his, for me, nonsense belief that every year is a real competitive season for every team. His refusal to accept a rebuild/retool has led to Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and the extended stay of the Matt Canada crapfest.

Tomlin's refusal to accept that the team is not in contention to win a SB every year and coaching each week like it....does not exist in a vacuum. Rooney backs this perspective to the hilt. Most of the time it has a positive impact on the organization. For example they are one of the ONLY teams in the league that spends to the cap every single year. This will never be a team in danger of having to know what the salary floor is. But it does lead to some head-scratching roster decisions and draft priorities. And that tendency, that has always been there, just gets magnified at the QB position.

[Mojouw]

Also, watch Fields most recent interview. Really hard to not want this guy to succeed in a big way.

[Born2Steel]

I have NO basis for this....but I think Colbert "forced" the Pickett decision. I think he was determined to pull a "Newsome" and draft the next "franchise QB" on his way out the door. I honestly believe that Tomlin would've taken Malik Willis if he had total control over the decision.

Also, FWIW, I think Pickett lacked it in the cerebral department as well. I never bought that the "light bulb" went off for him magically during his super senior COVID adventure year. I have long believed that Jordan Addison happened. And KP's desire to roll out of the pocket and throw YOLO balls down the sideline met the perfect match at WR. He spent a couple of years trying to recreate that in the NFL mired in the worst offensive situation in the league and it didn't work. Hopefully he can go somewhere and retrain his brain Baker Mayfield style and play within himself and a good system and go on to NFL success.

Tomlin's sins at QB are all related to his, for me, nonsense belief that every year is a real competitive season for every team. His refusal to accept a rebuild/retool has led to Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and the extended stay of the Matt Canada crapfest.

Tomlin's refusal to accept that the team is not in contention to win a SB every year and coaching each week like it....does not exist in a vacuum. Rooney backs this perspective to the hilt. Most of the time it has a positive impact on the organization. For example they are one of the ONLY teams in the league that spends to the cap every single year. This will never be a team in danger of having to know what the salary floor is. But it does lead to some head-scratching roster decisions and draft priorities. And that tendency, that has always been there, just gets magnified at the QB position.

I don't know what happened with the QB situation either, but I think there was a period of very fluid 'what are we going to do'. At the end of the season KP was the ONLY QB on the roster. Was he told then that this was his team and to be ready to lead us to greatness? Nobody knows. Then the Russ Wilson trade happened and became even more fluid. People can disagree with what is/was best for the team but a decision was made based on what the coaches and FO thought was best for the team. KP obviously did not agree with that decision and asked for a trade. Now the situation is we have one 35yr old QB in the QB room. Thus, the trade for Fields was made and Allen was signed.

Tomlin has not been perfect but one criticism I don't agree with is the handling of the QB situation this year. When Fields was brought in he was a discard player. The Bears had drafted his replacement showing they were done with Fields. I don't know how the Bears' fans felt about that. I do know from the half dozen or so Bears fans I know personally, they were so excited to get Caleb that they no longer even considered Justin Fields. Whatever his failings were in Chicago, Tomlin and company seem to have fixed many of them. There is still room to grow but there has been observable improvement with this season Fields over previous season Fields.

I was one of those excited to bring in Russ. Not so much with Fields. Now I'm feeling the opposite way. Let Russ play so WE know. But I expect a return to Field after the bye, if not before.

[pczach]

Also, watch Fields most recent interview. Really hard to not want this guy to succeed in a big way.

Absolutely. I really like the kid and hope he can be the guy. You just have to root for him.

He has a great attitude and has the right mindset to take on this challenge.

[Rocky Mtn.]

Absolutely. I really like the kid and hope he can be the guy. You just have to root for him.

He has a great attitude and has the right mindset to take on this challenge.

I'm also on this train.