Looking Ahead to 2025

[DesertSteel]

I found an article by ESPN interesting. They projected every team’s needs for next year. Here’s what they had for the Steelers:

The Steelers could try to sign Justin Fields to a long-term contract, but otherwise he'll hit free agency. Starter Russell Wilson is also a free agent, and he will turn 36 in 2025. Both quarterbacks have the same 53.9 QBR through Week 9, which would rank 18th in the league if they had the snaps to qualify. -- Schatz

Draft prospect who could fit: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas. The Steelers need a quarterback, and Ewers should be around when their pick comes up. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is only 21 years old and has soft-touch accuracy and enough arm to make every throw

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Personally I’m not in favor of taking a QB in R1 if we resign Russ. Maybe in 2026. I’d rather take a WR or a stud DT.

[Born2Steel]

I think both QBs could get Re-signed AND the Steelers draft a QB. No QB in this league means you don't win trophies. Usually.

[DesertSteel]

I think both QBs could get Re-signed AND the Steelers draft a QB. No QB in this league means you don't win trophies. Usually.

But do you think they go R1 with a quarterback?

[Mojouw]

But do you think they go R1 with a quarterback?

I have no clue who plays QB in 2025.

But I do think Khan won’t draft a QB in R1 without being blown away by the physical tools.

KP was the QB version of Jarvis Jones. And they haven’t drafted anything but athletic marvels at the LB position in R1 since.

[86WARD]

I think both QBs could get Re-signed AND the Steelers draft a QB. No QB in this league means you don't win trophies. Usually.

What contracts do to you think they would be able to do to sign both of them?

[oneforthetoe]

I found an article by ESPN interesting. They projected every team’s needs for next year. Here’s what they had for the Steelers:

The Steelers could try to sign Justin Fields to a long-term contract, but otherwise he'll hit free agency. Starter Russell Wilson is also a free agent, and he will turn 36 in 2025. Both quarterbacks have the same 53.9 QBR through Week 9, which would rank 18th in the league if they had the snaps to qualify. -- Schatz

Draft prospect who could fit: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas. The Steelers need a quarterback, and Ewers should be around when their pick comes up. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is only 21 years old and has soft-touch accuracy and enough arm to make every throw

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Personally I’m not in favor of taking a QB in R1 if we resign Russ. Maybe in 2026. I’d rather take a WR or a stud DT.

I agree. If we sign Russ then we are in a win now situation. We could find a defensive end or WR that could help us now.

If you resign Russ to a three-year deal , thinking you will probably get two out of him, then I think you wait until 2026 to draft a QB high in the draft. I'm not saying don't take a shot with a mid to lower round QB maybe if you really like the guy. You know, if you have a first round grade on him but draft him in the third. That always works out.

[Steeler-in-west]

I think a likely outcome is the steelers resign Russ for a 2 or 3 year contract, Fields bolts for starting gig, and we draft a Qb in 2026

[ALLD]

We resign both and take the best player available in R1. They won't reach for a QB or any player, but won't pass up Dan Marino Jr or Alan Faneca II for that matter.

[Born2Steel]

But do you think they go R1 with a quarterback?

Idk round 1. You know how these boards fall. Trades get made, all that. If the Steelers worked some trade where we get 2 picks in the top 35-40 I would guess one of those will be spent on QB.

I know I keep saying this, first round odds for a QB, OL, or a blue chip defender. Any of those and I'm happy.

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What contracts do to you think they would be able to do to sign both of them?

In all complete honesty I do not worry about contracts when I'm only talking about hypothetical.

A lot of this decision falls on how the rest of this season plays out. Depends on if Fields starts any more games and his development. Depends on Russ and if he shows he can still be that guy. In football 35-40 is old man. In life that's peak years. He may want to go do something else.

[86WARD]

Idk round 1. You know how these boards fall. Trades get made, all that. If the Steelers worked some trade where we get 2 picks in the top 35-40 I would guess one of those will be spent on QB.

I know I keep saying this, first round odds for a QB, OL, or a blue chip defender. Any of those and I'm happy.

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In all complete honesty I do not worry about contracts when I'm only talking about hypothetical.

A lot of this decision falls on how the rest of this season plays out. Depends on if Fields starts any more games and his development. Depends on Russ and if he shows he can still be that guy. In football 35-40 is old man. In life that's peak years. He may want to go do something else.

I got you. The problem with Fields, unless they think he's the next Steelers QB, is that he will probably cost too much to be a back up/experiment...if they think hes the next in line, then you lock him up for a few years. As for Russ, if he performs well, he will get starter money somewhere else that will probably be more than what you would like to pay. To do both, yeah, would be great and I think that would be an ideal progression for one more year...but realistically, I'm not sure they could handle it financially but maybe...too bad their contracts werent for 2 seasons each...

[oneforthetoe]

I don't think it is out of the question that they will sign both. Now, I would not blame, or think it a mistake, if Justin took off and to a team he could start immediately. He is also likely to be able to get a pretty good contract.

However, it wouldn't necessary be a terrible decision for Justin to sign an incentivized contract with the Steelers knowing that, regardless of Russ's contract length, the Steelers are probably only thinking about a two-year window. In addition, what are the chances a QB pushing 40 doesn't miss significant time over the next few years?

If we do sign both then I wouldn't expect a high draft pick for a QB until maybe after MT is gone.

Btw, I think Russ could have two years in him. Everybody is gasping over the "moonballs", but many QB's maintain their long ball into their late 30's, unless they have a specific injury like Peyton or Ben. Actually, I think Ben's arm strength was sufficient in the end. He just never got the accuracy back because he was too slow to avoid the pressure and never got enough reps in throwing deep in game situations. And that is the point of Russ's game that has surprised me the most. I thought he would be a statue at this point. However, he has proved to still have enough maneuverability in the pocket to buy enough time for the moonball. Yes, his age shows up some like on the fumble run against the GNats. But, overall, his ability to still be able to side step a rush or get outside the pocket is the biggest surprise.

If Russ signs elsewhere (short of the Steelers lowballing him or deciding to go with Justin), I would think that a huge mistake. He will not find a better situation in the league than he has in Pittsburgh. This offense is perfect for him with the prospect of more WR help and an improved o'line next year.

[86WARD]

MT - Mitchell Trubisky is already gone…

[oneforthetoe]

MT - Mitchell Trubisky is already gone…

But there is always hope

[BlackAndGold]

This upcoming QB draft class is bad. I expect they'll re-sign both RW and Fields.

[Born2Steel]

This upcoming QB draft class is bad. I expect they'll re-sign both RW and Fields.

There are a few QBs in this draft I think would be options for us. Milroe, Sanders, Howard, Rourk... maybe not all 1st round guys but I like their game.

[hawaiiansteeler]

There are a few QBs in this draft I think would be options for us. Milroe, Sanders, Howard, Rourk... maybe not all 1st round guys but I like their game.

Sanders and Milroe most likely go in the top 10.

[Born2Steel]

Sanders and Milroe most likely go in the top 10.

Most likely. Others will get drafted as well in the 1st. Class is better than the Pickett/Ridder/Corral/Howell draft. I really like Will Howard at OSU. Maybe in the 2nd. I don't get to watch Rourke at Indiana play, but have read some impressive things.

[DesertSteel]

Riley Leonard in the 4th?

[86WARD]

None of these guys are the answer for 2025. It’s a Kenny Pickett draft all over again…

[oneforthetoe]

None of these guys are the answer for 2025. It’s a Kenny Pickett draft all over again…

Can we draft him again?

[El Kabong]

Can we draft him again?

We could probably arrange a trade with the Eagles to get him back.

[tube517]

We could probably arrange a trade with the Eagles to get him back.

Eagles up 31-6 with 14 minutes in the 4th quarter..we might see our former QB in the game???

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

[El Kabong]

Eagles up 31-6 with 14 minutes in the 4th quarter..we might see our former QB in the game???

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

He was indeed in the game. He even got a Tush Push.

[Dwinsgames]

Pickett 1/2 - 5yards

[86WARD]

So someone started a Kenny Pickett thread…

[Mojouw]

I also do not think the market of the NFL will allow the Steelers to sign both. Someone will throw money at them. But...I am always wrong.

But to shift the question slightly...what does everyone think the BEST version of Justin Fields as a fully developed player looks like? One of his former OC's didn't even last the season at his next NFL job. A couple of his other coaches are embattled. The Bears OL and skill position players are helping to tank another big hype draft prospect. So....I think we can entertain the scenario that Fields still has a developmental trajectory he can build through.

I could see him never getting all the way there as a passer. Just kind of always being a tick or two slow to "see it" or whatever. BUT....if I squint really hard....I see Lamar Jackson? I know that is a polarizing player but he has won a ton of football games as an NFL starter.

The point is...and maybe player comp(s) aren't the way to go. Fields remains a dart throw/lottery ticket. And what do folks on here "see" when they look at the best possible developmental outcome for him? I kinda feel that it is sky high...even if he has a low percentage shot of getting there.

Ideally, Fields agrees to take a chance and re-sign with the team as "the starter in waiting" and "develop" another year with Wilson on another one year deal with the team. I do not think this will happen. But I believe the team, right now, has to be hoping that it can pull that magic trick off.

[hawaiiansteeler]

So someone started a Kenny Pickett thread…

can never have enough of them.

[El Kabong]

BUT....if I squint really hard....I see Lamar Jackson?

I am highly highly doubtful Fields ever comes anywhere near LJ.