QB 2025

[ETL]

Just read that it’s highly unlikely Russell Wilson returns as QB. And while everyone expects Justin Fields to be the QB - that doesn’t seem for sure either as we all know how much the passing game improved with Wilson replacing Fields. So why would we want him back so urgently.

So going forward, let me throw out some names as possible QBs

1. Sam Darnold
2. Derek Carr
3. Kirk Cousins
4. Aaron Rodgers
5. Matt Stafford
6. Jamies Winston

I am a fan of Stafford and have expressed this before. I know some of you are not. But he would be my first choice. And if we can get Cooper Kupp with him, I wouldn’t mind.

If he wasn’t available, I would prefer Darnold next then Carr. After that I would want Fields. I value the passing abilities of Darnold and Carr over the running ability of Fields.

I don’t want Rodgers and would take Winston or Flacco over Rodgers.

whoever we go with, I would still take a 2nd round flyer on someone like Ewer or Milroe. We need to draft QBs every year until we hit on one. SF got lucky with Purdy. But the thing they did that wasn’t luck was that they used the pick on a QB.

[Mojouw]

Stafford
Fields
Random Draft Pick
Joe Milton (trade with Patriots)

[Voice of Reason]

Re-signing Fields is the lesser of about five different evils.

[tube517]

Stafford
Fields
Random Draft Pick
Joe Milton (trade with Patriots)

I feel the same. Didn't realize Stafford is a free agent

I know nothing about Joe Milton

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

[EzraTank]

If Stafford comes back for another year (he turns 37 today, February 7th) why would he not go back to the Rams? Who else do they have to take his place? And at 37 he is just another band-aid. We need to either feel the pain of a losing season or draft a guy with some luck but the longer we keep plugging in old guys like Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford the longer we are going to be stuck here.

There is no way I want anything to do with Rodgers, Cousins or Carr.

If we are going "bridge QB" I'd rather give Fields a shot at running this offense without RW in the mix.

[feltdizz]

Fields..

no way we pay legit money for any other QB.

[ncgjka]

Fields, the initial plan is almost exactly as it played out, with the exception thay got to see Fields more starts than anticipated. Tomlin is a big fan of Fields, they planned all along to have him reset this year, and when Russ was available that was near perfect to their plan. Now they also know that Fields can win and manage drives, as well as having run capable QB takes you the furthest. And - he very much developed and grew this season

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[Steeler-in-west]

If the goal is to win that elusive playoff game then i would go with Stafford. But this is all really short term stuff. I think the real goal should be drafting a Qb in 26. And i wonder if going with Stafford and maybe getting a postseason win maybe two is worth delaying getting a high pick in the draft for a potential franchise Qb. I would rather send Fields out there. If we have a good season at least hes young. And if it doesn't work out we get a good pick in 26.

[ALLD]

They should see if Terry Bradshaw can put on a uniform.

[vasteeler]

I'm cool with doing what we did last year. Cut all three and bring in three new ones.

[ETL]

Stafford is not a free agent but there is much speculation that the Rams are considering trading him. So we would have to give up picks for him.

if he can play as a franchise QB while we have TJ in his prime, I think it would be worth it

[ETL]

I'm cool with doing what we did last year. Cut all three and bring in three new ones.

You may get your wish. Only QB on the roster is Skylar Thompson. I like Justin Fields but not as QB1.

[oneforthetoe]

Fields is the choice. We need somebody that can run Smith's offense so we can see if it is actually going to work. If this was last year trading for Stafford might make sense for a one-year run. However, giving up draft capital for another 35+ year QB who would be complete mismatch for the offensive coordinator, would not make sense to me. Of course, it has been 4 or 5 years since the Rooney's reached out for my opinion. At least that's how I remember it. I find Minton interesting. seems like he might be a guy to get a look at in Smith's offense as well.

[oneforthetoe]

Fields seems to be the most popular pick and most likely, I think. What do you think that contract looks like?

Three years 70 million plus incentives? Some might think that is a bit high, but the QB market is so over inflated it might take that much. And really with the cap around 265 million this year it is not that much. Would you go to 80 over 3 years or more? Would you play hard ball (we know the Rooney's are cheap per some fans) and go with maybe less?

[Born2Steel]

Fields must learn to run the offense from under Center. Smith's offenses have used PA offa heavy dose of running. Could be why it seems he uses TEs sparingly. Goes with the deeper pass on PA maybe.

The red zone is the biggest complaint for me. The field is shortened to the point that PA, motions, stuff like that are much less effective. As a result, the offense seems to struggle in the red zone. For this reason, I prefer a power game in the red zone. We still don't have that yet. BUT, of the options given, Fields is my choice because of our red zone offense. He has the speed and power needed down there.

[Dwinsgames]

Fields seems to be the most popular pick and most likely, I think. What do you think that contract looks like?

Three years 70 million plus incentives? Some might think that is a bit high, but the QB market is so over inflated it might take that much. And really with the cap around 265 million this year it is not that much. Would you go to 80 over 3 years or more? Would you play hard ball (we know the Rooney's are cheap per some fans) and go with maybe less?

here is where the disconnect comes in ...

we passed on Najee 5th year option and many seem to think we still might sign him again ( dumb ass move if the case as he would have cost like 5 million for the 5th year option and most seem to think 8 million plus to sign him )

we Passed on Fields 5th year option that would have given us an additional year at 25 million and declined now all the sudden its gonna take 3 times that money to sign him for 3 years and if he isnt the guy you are on the hook longer (why didnt we risk 25 million instead of risking 70 or more ??)

[steelcityboyz]

here is where the disconnect comes in ...

we passed on Najee 5th year option and many seem to think we still might sign him again ( dumb ass move if the case as he would have cost like 5 million for the 5th year option and most seem to think 8 million plus to sign him )

we Passed on Fields 5th year option that would have given us an additional year at 25 million and declined now all the sudden its gonna take 3 times that money to sign him for 3 years and if he isnt the guy you are on the hook longer (why didnt we risk 25 million instead of risking 70 or more ??)

Good point, You just have to wonder sometimes

[Mojouw]

here is where the disconnect comes in ...

we passed on Najee 5th year option and many seem to think we still might sign him again ( dumb ass move if the case as he would have cost like 5 million for the 5th year option and most seem to think 8 million plus to sign him )

we Passed on Fields 5th year option that would have given us an additional year at 25 million and declined now all the sudden its gonna take 3 times that money to sign him for 3 years and if he isnt the guy you are on the hook longer (why didnt we risk 25 million instead of risking 70 or more ??)

Can’t do that.

IF Wilson hadn’t stunk; you would’ve been signing him to a big $$$ deal.

No way you could commit that much coin to your backup QB.

[Steeler-in-west]

If Stafford comes back for another year (he turns 37 today, February 7th) why would he not go back to the Rams? Who else do they have to take his place? And at 37 he is just another band-aid. We need to either feel the pain of a losing season or draft a guy with some luck but the longer we keep plugging in old guys like Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford the longer we are going to be stuck here.

There is no way I want anything to do with Rodgers, Cousins or Carr.

If we are going "bridge QB" I'd rather give Fields a shot at running this offense without RW in the mix.

agree. I think we should stop trying to recycle over the hill once great Qb’s. Go with Fields/Kyle Allen and look to the 26 draft. Tomlin and the steelers tried to fast track a playoff run with Russ and it failed pretty miserably. I think 26 would be a good time to pair our new Qb with a new HC and staff as well. Tomlin’s time is over, and he hasn't shown any ability or desire to rebuild a football team.

[ETL]

Read somewhere that Rooney was keenly interested in the two different styles of QB in this years Super Bowl. Maholms being the more polished passer and Hurts being the more aggressive runner and to see who would prevail.

Based only on the SB it seems that we will be trying hard to sign Fields with the hopes that he develops into a passer.

[ALLD]

The Eagles had better pass protection and a better pass rush.

[feltdizz]

The Eagles had better pass protection and a better pass rush.

and a better QB at escaping pressure.

Hurts beat a few blitzes with his feet. Mahomes was seeing ghost all night even thought they only rushed 4.

[Rotorhead]

I don’t agree with the masses on Fields, he has not shown anything that screams “Franchise QB” to me that warrants a contract extension. We are not in a position to draft a good QB this year. If he would do another one year deal, I think we draft top ten next season and maybe swap HC’s as well. That would be my preferred scenario.

Second option for me is to draft the best QB at whatever pick we can and sign Rodgers for a year to mentor him (I think Rodgers would be fine for a year as he was still suffering the affects of his Achilles injury, those seem to span 2 years to be fully healed). I know a lot don’t like that, be he plainly stated he would he happy to mentor a young QB already and we currently suck at developing QBs.

[El Kabong]

I don’t agree with the masses on Fields, he has not shown anything that screams “Franchise QB” to me that warrants a contract extension.

Agree. Boy I hope the lesson Rooney got from the Super Bowl wasn't that we need a running quarterback. Hurts can run, but he won because he's a good passer. I don't think Fields will ever bet that, and a QB running alone isn't going to cut it.

[Born2Steel]

You can either wait around for the perfect QB to fall into your lap, or you can take a player with all the physical tools to succeed but raw, and attempt to coach him into your perfect player. Neither path seems to have a ton of success but that's pretty much your choice when you need a franchise QB.

[Dwinsgames]

forget all the once was never will be again washed up QBs looking to make more $$ based on prior reputations , they are not that guy anymore or they wouldn't be available ...

you sign Fields to a deal (if he is willing to take it ) that pays him no more than 20 million this year and a team option for next year that increases his pay to 25-ish but offers nothing in terms of guaranteed money moving forward .... let him start all season and see if you think he can take you to the promised land moving forward if he does that great you have him another year to further evaluate and work out a long term contract .....

if he doesn't you are not tied to him and you have what looks like a very good crop of QBs in the draft in 2026 to try and find your future from ... drafting a QB in 2025 feel all to much like drafting one in 2022...

thats the perfect (or as perfect as one can hope for) scenario as far as I am concerned

- - - Updated - - -

ohh and if the above happens it would be the first time in Fields pro career that he had the same system and same OC 2 years in a row , as he has had to learn a new system in every season since he was drafted

[Steeldude]

forget all the once was never will be again washed up QBs looking to make more $$ based on prior reputations , they are not that guy anymore or they wouldn't be available ...

you sign Fields to a deal (if he is willing to take it ) that pays him no more than 20 million this year and a team option for next year that increases his pay to 25-ish but offers nothing in terms of guaranteed money moving forward .... let him start all season and see if you think he can take you to the promised land moving forward if he does that great you have him another year to further evaluate and work out a long term contract .....

if he doesn't you are not tied to him and you have what looks like a very good crop of QBs in the draft in 2026 to try and find your future from ... drafting a QB in 2025 feel all to much like drafting one in 2022...

thats the perfect (or as perfect as one can hope for) scenario as far as I am concerned

- - - Updated - - -

ohh and if the above happens it would be the first time in Fields pro career that he had the same system and same OC 2 years in a row , as he has had to learn a new system in every season since he was drafted

There is no valid reason to pay Fields $20M. You can get Fields output from nearly any QB in the upcoming draft. QBs that can run, but not throw, are a dime a dozen.

The Steelers pretty much need a complete rebuild. None of that can start until Tomlin is out of the picture.

I agree with you on the overpriced veteran QBs.

[Dwinsgames]

There is no valid reason to pay Fields $20M. You can get Fields output from nearly any QB in the upcoming draft. QBs that can run, but not throw, are a dime a dozen.

The Steelers pretty much need a complete rebuild. None of that can start until Tomlin is out of the picture.

I agree with you on the overpriced veteran QBs.

thats the thing .....

I am not sure that "he can't throw"

he had 1 legit outside Receiver last year and looked light years ahead of what he was in Chicago ... what would he do with 2 ??

I dont want to draft one THIS year at least not early and I have to play someone so why not Fields who knows the system ...again if he fails then that likely means he set me up for a better selection in 2026 with a class loaded with what appears to be quality QBs perhaps 6 first round guys in the top 15 or so selections and if Fields sucks we potentially could have one of those picks without trading up to get one ......

but if he doesn't suck ................ he is under contract on a bargain basement deal for another year giving you time to negotiate a new deal and stock this team with young talent ...

if we do not sign Fields prior to the opening of Free agency we likely do not get him because someone will look at that 4-2 record to start last year and say ya know what lets take a shot on this kid and offer him more than we will be willing to pay ...

get him now while the getting is good , and we may as well get used to it but Mike Tomlin isnt going anywhere at least until his current contract is up and its just starting (the 3 additional years he agreed to before last season and he was under contract already for last year sooo no sooner than 2028 for that change unless he retires)

[ETL]

Agree. Boy I hope the lesson Rooney got from the Super Bowl wasn't that we need a running quarterback. Hurts can run, but he won because he's a good passer. I don't think Fields will ever bet that, and a QB running alone isn't going to cut it.

I agree with you. If Fields hasn’t shown already that he can be a passing threat I don’t see it developing now. I would prefer others before Fields.

[Steeler-in-west]

thats the thing .....

I am not sure that "he can't throw"

he had 1 legit outside Receiver last year and looked light years ahead of what he was in Chicago ... what would he do with 2 ??

I dont want to draft one THIS year at least not early and I have to play someone so why not Fields who knows the system ...again if he fails then that likely means he set me up for a better selection in 2026 with a class loaded with what appears to be quality QBs perhaps 6 first round guys in the top 15 or so selections and if Fields sucks we potentially could have one of those picks without trading up to get one ......

but if he doesn't suck ................ he is under contract on a bargain basement deal for another year giving you time to negotiate a new deal and stock this team with young talent ...

if we do not sign Fields prior to the opening of Free agency we likely do not get him because someone will look at that 4-2 record to start last year and say ya know what lets take a shot on this kid and offer him more than we will be willing to pay ...

get him now while the getting is good , and we may as well get used to it but Mike Tomlin isnt going anywhere at least until his current contract is up and its just starting (the 3 additional years he agreed to before last season and he was under contract already for last year sooo no sooner than 2028 for that change unless he retires)

Fields needs to learn to read defenses and hit his receivers in stride. His touch needs to be worked on too. I dont know if we have the coaching staff that can help him. I have little faith in them (including A Smith).

that last paragraph of yours got me down. Three more years of Tomlin. Just great. I wonder what our management would do after a losing season or two. Maybe they do the unprecedented and buy him out.