Array title="oneforthetoe has a reputation beyond repute">
I guess you put them in a room and have them hash it out. Or, at the very least, pretend too. It is not unheard of for coaches and players who don't like each other to still find success. Bradshaw resented Noll in his playing days and beyond. And compared to how AR will treat Smith, Russ will be a treat. I wanted them to keep Fields - they could not come to an agreement. I just think Russ is the best of a bad situation.Originally Posted by Dwinsgames
I honestly dont ...
I see Russ as an opportunity to continue mediocrity , he isnt taking you to the promised land , he isnt the future so why are you paying him 20-30 million ( I wouldn't ) all a guy like Russ does is hinder your ability to get a better draft pick without giving you any chance at post season success ...its a lose lose situation from my perspective ....
I see it this way ... your starting QB has to do one of these things for your franchise or you are wasting your time and money as well as career years of others ...
1) give you a chance at Hoisting a Lombardi (doing it in the past doesn't mean you are capable again)
2) be a potential long term solution at QB (that would have been Fields)
3) just a guy until you get your guy (thats Mason) he wont preclude you from getting a better than normal selection point in the draft...
so if you are starting a guy who cant do 1 of those 3 things for you then you are wasting everyone's time
Kenny Pickett is who I though he was .. Eagles didn't value him either , now he is a Stain at the Mistake by the Lake 3 teams in 4 years more of a shooting star than a superstar
Array title="ETL has a reputation beyond repute">
Russ has basically lost the locker room. The players don’t want him. His rah-rah shit is seen by the players as fake and they see everything else about him as fake. That is a major reason why the Steelers don’t want him.
they are not evaluating him on just talent and ability. If that was the case there could be an argument to bring him back. But he has lost the players confidence and that is basically a fatal flaw
Array title="oneforthetoe has a reputation beyond repute">
Do we know that? I don't put a whole lot of credence into what the Steelers' insiders say. However, I saw a clip the other day where one of them (don't remember who) said some of the coaches would have a problem but the locker room would be ok with it. This made sense to me, but who knows. None of us really know how the players feel about Russ. Unless I missed a player coming out and dissing Russ? Remember we heard stories about a number of veterans not liking Ben when he was young (Hines Ward), but it didn't stop the team from functioning. Look I am not pendant waving for Russ, nor am I predicting they will sign him. As I said above, I just think he is the best of a bad situation. And I think it would still be doable regardless of burnt feelings.
Array title="oneforthetoe has a reputation beyond repute">
I guess we just disagree on this. I am not on the losing will help you win wagon. Can losing help you draft better players and turn your team around? Of course it can. However, in my view most teams that start losing keep losing for an extended period of time. Washington, for example, looks to have a bright future but how long did they suck? They haven't been relevant in the NFL since the "Hogs" days. Yea I know Washington had a crap owner, but the Bills didn't necessarily, and they were nothing for 20 years. How is losing and rebuilding going for "best franchise ever" Patriots so far? Sure, you can find examples where it works relatively quickly (Denver maybe?) but I think fans (not saying you) are putting so much hope into the idea that, if we just lose more games and get into a better drafting situation for a year or two, we will get a franchise QB and be right back to competing for Superbowl's, and it just doesn't work often like that, imo.
The Steelers have what they think it a quality young core. The jury is still out but I still like the last two draft. They have enough picks to move up in the draft in 2026 to get a QB if they don't do it this year. I just don't buy into the if we just go 7 - 10 or worse for a few years we will quickly rebuild a contender. I know I am in the vast minority, but I would rather see some of the young players get some playoff experience, good or bad, than have them (and me) suffer through losing seasons in hope that we will find one guy that might, maybe, possibly, could become a great QB.
I am sure the vast majority of fans would agree with you. I just don't see it.
As yes, I agree, Fields would have potentially been a better long-term solution. Russ is not the future and is unlikely to lead us into a deep playoff run but I'll stick with it is more likely to happen with Russ than Mason - but that's for me.
Last edited by oneforthetoe; 03-16-2025 at 12:10 AM.
Array title="ETL has a reputation beyond repute">
you are correct. We just don’t know how the team will actually behave if Wilson is re-signed and especially if he performs well on the field. My guess is that right now - the front office and coaches do not want the “drama” that would come with a Wilson re-signing. Just like they don’t want drama from re-signing Dionte Johnson even though he still has talent.
the Steelers didn’t burn any bridges with Wilson. They said the right things but in the end the lack of any action towards Wilson tells me that the Steelers moved on. Now let’s say we never get Rodgers and Rudolph is injured and the backup to Rudolph gets injured … and if Wilson is still available I can see the Steelers bringing him back but it may take something like that to do so.
Array title="ALLD has a reputation beyond repute">
Now the street is saying possibly bringing in Jamis Winston?
All Defense!
Array title="oneforthetoe has a reputation beyond repute">
We are keeping the street buzzing aren't we. Winston will drive MT nuts with turnovers. Lucky if he lets him throw ten times a game.
Array title="Born2Steel has a reputation beyond repute">
I am also a bigger fan of bringing back Russ over signing ARod. That said, I'm not a fan of either. From where we are now, I would most like to go into 2025 with MR, Thompson, and a rookie draft pick. Maybe pick up another 2nd level FA QB just to have some who should start this week arguments on here.
I went onto nfldraftbuzz looking at QB reports and came across several that one of the pro comps was KP. They give 3 pro comps for every prospect. I think 5 had KP comps. All that means to me is backup level now that could develop into a decent starter maybe. I would draft one of those each and every draft.
I get to watch a lot of Saints games because my local feed shows their games. I have seen Winston over the years with Arians and the Buccs as well as with the Saints. He has a ton of physical talent. Huge upside. Thick as a brick in the brainpan. I have watched him over the years and he looks like the exact same guy. He hasn't learned a thing from all his INTs. He would be among the most frustrating players we could sign. He would also be among one of the most exciting players we could sign. I do like the element of 'Ben Ball' he has to his game. Personally, I'm not up for the roller coaster ride that he would bring to the season. If he's playing for another team and it's on TV, I'm watching. If he's playing for my team, I just can't watch that.
Desmond Ridder is now listed as UFA. I would much rather add him over ARod, Russ, or Winston. MR, Ridder, Thompson, and rookie.
It’ll end up being Flacco.
Array title="oneforthetoe has a reputation beyond repute">
I was thinking about Bert as well. We seem to like former Ravens now.
I dont think AR will follow Favre’s path to Minnesota. And what 41 yr old would want to go to that mess in NY. Im beginning to think its between the Steelers and retirement.
there can be a big difference in terms of draft positioning for just 1 or 2 wins , but 1 or 2 wins doesn't win you the superbowl either and that should be every teams goal each year , that said one also must be logical when you have no legitimate starting QB weather that is Russ (at his current play level) or Mason the difference in their play equates to maybe 2 wins different and nowhere near a SB...ill take the 2 less wins 6 or so spots higher in the draft ... and sometimes winning precludes you from winning ...example we won 10 games and are picking at 21 ...the Falcons won 8 games are are picking at 15 , neither team was anywhere near a SB contender ... its much easier to move into the top 10 to get a Franchise QB when selecting from 15 than it is when selecting at 21 ... so 2 wins that are meaningless can make the world of difference in future winning
this all makes sense to me as I type it , hopefully it does when others read it
Kenny Pickett is who I though he was .. Eagles didn't value him either , now he is a Stain at the Mistake by the Lake 3 teams in 4 years more of a shooting star than a superstar
^ going with Russ or AR likely means plenty of playing time for Mason anyway.
Array title="Born2Steel has a reputation beyond repute">
We are paying MR $4M per season. He is not the goal this offseason. If he were we would be paying him to be the goal. Even if he ends up being our starter for the season, he was not the end game choice. I'm all for bringing in whoever. I have my own opinions, but whatever happens in the QB room I'll support it and the team in 2025.
Array title="ETL has a reputation beyond repute">
I actually don’t mind this. I can be ok with Rudolph, Flacco or Winston, rookie
I’m starting to think Bert Flacco is a good option.
I’d also be on board with a low stakes trade for Richardson.
I hate to say this out loud, but Cousins makes a ton of sense.
Array title="Born2Steel has a reputation beyond repute">
Flacco played for the Ravens AND the Browns. He must bathe in all 3 rivers first.
Array title="ETL has a reputation beyond repute">
maybe just two. Give him credit for a year at Pitt
Array title="Born2Steel has a reputation beyond repute">
Nope. No credit for that.
except even to a more extreme manner than Mason is a polar opposite of athletic / mobile QB they have been preaching
Kenny Pickett is who I though he was .. Eagles didn't value him either , now he is a Stain at the Mistake by the Lake 3 teams in 4 years more of a shooting star than a superstar
I'd take Winston for a year deal
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Merry Christmas
The longer this drags out the less I ever want Rodgers here.
Array title="Born2Steel has a reputation beyond repute">
There was talk on the radio this morning that something happened with Russ at the end of the season. There was a breakdown between him and the FO. They pointed out that they chose him over Fields, but this offseason they chose Fields over Russ. They say Russ wants to come back. And the Steelers don't seem interested in bringing Russ back. At all. Something between Russ and management broke. They said nobody seems to know what happened, but if you follow the moves it's pretty obvious.
I think many on here have been saying that for a while already. I'm thinking that now as well. If they had any interest in bringing Russ back it would have happened by now. Just thoughts.
Absolutely. But there is a massive gap between what they want and what they can get.
We are solidly back in the veteran bridge QB zone. This is what happens when you gamble and come up empty. They just need a warm body to hand off a bunch of times and throw a couple of deep shots off play action in 2025 while the team loses.
Honestly, as long as they don't draft Will Howard or Riley Leonard, I will be good with playing whoever at QB. It is time. It needs to happen.
Getting AR will keep TJ and Cam interested, so there’s that.
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if it happens they need to take advantage and really choose well in this draft; DL, DB, OLB.. get support for the impending new Qb
Yep, been saying this since father time caught up to Ben in 2018. This team needs to have a horrible season (think 4-13) so they can lock up a very high #1 pick and draft a QB. Apparently the 2026 draft is the perfect draft to do that.
Array title="Born2Steel has a reputation beyond repute">
We lost Moore and Daniels. OL is still a need even after drafting OT in the 1st the last 2 drafts. Don't rule out a QB protector again this year.
as I been saying , you cant throw your OC under the bus and lie about him to protect your own image and then get a new contract while keeping that same OC ... it just doesn't happen for a guy who ISNT the answer ... Maybe if it was 26 year old Russ you find a way ... but not this version of him with his abilities on the field deteriorating before your very eyes
Kenny Pickett is who I though he was .. Eagles didn't value him either , now he is a Stain at the Mistake by the Lake 3 teams in 4 years more of a shooting star than a superstar
Array title="ETL has a reputation beyond repute">
im there now. I don’t want Rodgers even if he’s the best option for this year. I’m good with 6’5” Mason Rudolph and a rookie or two. I don’t want players that don’t want to be here.
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