Chark off the market

[gojira5150]

The Green Bay Packers had three franchise QBs in a row... picked 33rd, 24th, & 26th. DRAFT BETTER. I would say it's at least as common for a non top-10 elite QB s it is for a year where none of the QBs are any good. In the last 20 years, we've had quite a few Super Bowl winners and elite QBs who were outside the top 10 and only a few years where there were no QBs at any slot worth taking. (2007 & 2010 come to mind).

Since Brady, here are the below top 10 QB picks who either went to a Super Bowl or are franchise starters better than what we have now:

32 Brees
11 Roethlisberger
24 Rodgers
18 Flacco
36 Kaepernick
102 Cousins
75 Wilson
62 Garoppolo
135 prescott
12 Watson
32 Jackson
53 Hurts
26 Love
262 Purdy
33 Levis

That's 15 guys in 23 drafts. The list of failed top 10 picks is longer by a mile. DRAFT SMARTER.

As long as Russ leaves us within shooting distance of a trade up-- like the 20th or 21st pick range where you could trade the 2025 + 2026 1st for a guy you think is a future star-- they'll be within range, provided the QB futures market doesn't go to shit and-- most importantly-- they identify the right value buy.

If this is the case, then who will the Steelers draft. Do you want Ewers (as Steelers will probably be drafting in early 20's). Do you think he's better than Fields? I hope the Steelers start Fields from day 1. I believe he will surprise many fans.

In Chicago he was the offense until DJ Moore got there. He was running for his life. Fields will cause def coord to change how they play against Fields as if you Blitz and miss, he will make you pay with his legs. He has a cannon arm and started to play better last year.

Fields has warts. Too many fumbles for sure, but you're spot on. The kid had NOTHING around him until DJ Moore arrived and even then, after drafting pieces for the o-line, those pieces looked to actually be WORSE than what they had.

I'm actually surprised folks are so down on the Fields acquisition. The guy is only 24 and has off the fucking charts athleticism. Why not try and develop him when this team is clearly not a Super Bowl contender instead of riding with Russell Wilson so Tomlin's NHALS remains intact.

Holy fuck.

I don't get it either. Give Fields a chance. If Arthur is any good, he should be able to work with Fields and get more out of him. A super freak elite athlete with a cannon arm. I mean was LJ that much better of a passer than Fields is in his 3rd year in the league.

[K_C_]

If the fucker comes in and is lighting it up in the preseason I say let him play.

I just don't have much faith in these types of QB's.

Wilson has shown that he at least can mentally process the field, he definitely has his warts too, but he can make most of the throws.

I think Fields has about a 30% chance of becoming a big time QB. He has shown signs in Chicago of being a rare talent and while most of us hate Cool Shades, the Steelers are a huge upgrade, as an organization, over what Fields is coming from.

I wouldn't argue with anybody that told me Russell Wilson is a more complete QB than Justin Fields. If I did, I'd be crazy but Russell Wilson is also nearing the end. We're not going on a deep playoff run with Russell Wilson. I think Wilson keeps the NHALS alive, barely and we get boat raced in the first round of the playoffs.

If it were 2018 and we landed Russell Wilson, I'd be thinking the Steelers have a legit shot at going to a Super Bowl. Russ's best days are waaaaay behind him.

Well regardless, I'll never agree that Tomlin acquired Justin Fields to sit and watch all year. I've said it before that I believe Fields will have packages (starting week one) where he will play. I very much expect to see a two headed QB approach.

Fields is just too talented a football player to stand and watch an old Russell Wilson play QB all year. Just not buying it.

[bradshaw2ben]

If this is the case, then who will the Steelers draft. Do you want Ewers (as Steelers will probably be drafting in early 20's). Do you think he's better than Fields? I hope the Steelers start Fields from day 1. I believe he will surprise many fans.

In Chicago he was the offense until DJ Moore got there. He was running for his life. Fields will cause def coord to change how they play against Fields as if you Blitz and miss, he will make you pay with his legs. He has a cannon arm and started to play better last year.

Long way to go but I want Cam Ward. I can be excited about Taylen Green & TJ Finley. A few others would be upgrades from what we have and a few more would at least be worth a shot. Fields has basically had his shot. He wouldn't get a second chance as a starter if he hadn't been a top pick. Is there a lottery chance that he suddenly figures out how to read a defense and shorten his delivery and play QB without taking a zillion sacks and throwing soul-crushing INTs/Pick 6s? Of course there is.

I like Cam Ward as well, but we won't be drafting in the top 5 to grab him. This team would have to take a huge nosedive but as we know Cool Breeze wants that NHALS so we will be picking early 20's. What QB do you think will be there as a Franchise QB that's better than Fields.

If we do get a FQB do you believe Cool Breeze can develop him IF he's still here?

I',not at all convinced Tomlin will be the HC for next year's draft and I'm also unconvinced Cam Ward will go top 10. The three guys I mentioned will likely go after Beck, Ewers, and perhaps Will Howard and maybe more. I would say the majority of teams either do not know what to look for in a QB or can't risk picking a better QB who isn't a consensus pick... or both. That means there's a decent chance-- like 2004 or 2017-- that the best QB in the class won't go first, won't even go top 5. Maybe not even top 20. I think next year is one of those classes like 2017 where everyone will have a different QB1, and you might get lucky and have your choice of 2-3 guys who are better than the higher-rated consensus prospects.

None of it really matters if Tomlin is still the HC and still boxing the offense into QB hell.... but drafting a scheme-transcendent player like the three I mentioned would help.

[bradshaw2ben]

I mean was LJ that much better of a passer than Fields is in his 3rd year in the league.

Uh... yes. Yes, he was.

[K_C_]

I mean was LJ that much better of a passer than Fields is in his 3rd year in the league.

Uh... yes. Yes, he was.

Dude......the Ravens organization is high class and high quality.

The Bears organization is a heaping pile of shit.

The Ravens surrounded Lamar with excellent RB's and an OUT-FUCKING-STANDING offensive line. Mark Andrews is an elite TE. The Ravens tried and tried with the WR position to help Lamar and struggled but they look to have landed some good ones recently.

There simply isn't any comparison to the Baltimore Ravens and the Chicago Bears.

I don't know if Justin Fields ever reaches the heights Lamar Jackson has if he were drafted by the Ravens (very unlikely), but I'll guarantee you Lamar fails miserably in Chicago. They would have gotten that motherfucker killed.

[bradshaw2ben]

Hey, I'm not trotting out the W-L records... but, c'mon. Lamar Jackson's first three years as a QB in the league shit down the throat of Just Fields' first 3. This should not be a debate just because we might think he's a little overhyped.

[SteelerDayTrader]

- The Steelers have zero intentions of getting Fields starter reps unless Wilson is injured

- Wilson came very cheap with no real time commitment AND the Steelers needed a starting QB. It’s hard to think of a scenario where that’s not a win-win for both parties

- Wilson has slipped off his peak at 37-ish but he probably still is a pretty good QB if he doesn’t need to carry the team all the time. Likely still has one of the better arms in the NFL particularly on the deep ball

- I highly doubt the Steelers want to see Fields get starter reps at this point after they acquired Wilson. They had Pickett. They benched him for Wilson and Fields was the 3rd QB (which honestly seems about right. SOMEBODY has to be 3 QB. Why not add a guy with a lot of tools who might be able at least on paper threaten to distribute the ball to a win ?)

- Kenny Touchdown got in touch with his inner bitch fit and left for a team where he’s much less likely to touch balls. At least on the field during a game. Fields gets “elevated” to QB 2. It’s not like the plan was to try to get Fields starter reps. Far from it in fact. But much like Wilson in the important part……crazy cheap and zero time commitment. THATS ROONEYBALL BABY !!! Lolololz

- I suspect Russ and the current WR unit will be notably better than any conpuncturation of WRs with Kenny Touchdown past or present. I’m more than ok rolling with those guys this year and looking to add a good fit guy with tools ala Roman Wilson next year in the draft. This team isn’t close to being a Lombard challenger. Why leverage the future for a barely postseason team ??

- Will Fields become a decent QB ?? I kinda doubt it. Zero chance of doing that in Pittsburgh in any case. The Steelers fucked away the 10 best years of Roethlisberger. How in the fuck are they gonna be a great turnaround/development story for Fields ??

[K_C_]

Hey, I'm not trotting out the W-L records... but, c'mon. Lamar Jackson's first three years as a QB in the league shit down the throat of Just Fields' first 3. This should not be a debate just because we might think he's a little overhyped.

Once again, the Bears are an embarrassment of an organization and the Ravens among the best. I hate em, but they’re a great organization.

The Bears are where QB’s go to die.

Good luck, Caleb Williams. You’re gonna need it.

[W&M_Steeler]

Fields has warts. Too many fumbles for sure, but you're spot on. The kid had NOTHING around him until DJ Moore arrived and even then, after drafting pieces for the o-line, those pieces looked to actually be WORSE than what they had.

I'm actually surprised folks are so down on the Fields acquisition. The guy is only 24 and has off the fucking charts athleticism. Why not try and develop him when this team is clearly not a Super Bowl contender instead of riding with Russell Wilson so Tomlin's NHALS remains intact.

Holy fuck.

I'm not "down" on the Fields acquisition, I'm just indifferent about it. I don't think it will matter much, because I don't think Fields will amount to anything. Athleticism is vastly overrated when it comes to QBs. Who cares if he can run if he's not good at the other things successful QBs do? Might as well make him a running back.

[bradshaw2ben]

I will say that the news today of Russ Wilson struggling with play action “he needs the spread the field from shotgun and “see it open” plus his aversion to throwing to the TE makes me wonder if maybe they are setting this up for Fields, whether it’s this year or next. If your offense is PA and QB runs to complement your heavy dose of RB runs, who cares if your QB is a good passer?

[W&M_Steeler]

I will say that the news today of Russ Wilson struggling with play action “he needs the spread the field from shotgun and “see it open” plus his aversion to throwing to the TE makes me wonder if maybe they are setting this up for Fields, whether it’s this year or next. If your offense is PA and QB runs to complement your heavy dose of RB runs, who cares if your QB is a good passer?

It will be very exciting to watch the 2024 Steelers run a 1930s-style offense.

I hadn't heard about Wilson struggling with PA. Sounds like late career Ben.

[franco32]

Russell Wilson is 35, not 37. He still has zip on the ball and runs quite well for 35.

His supposedly disappointing 2023 shits all over anything Fields has ever done. Play action is one of his strengths from my recollection. I agree he doesn't throw with anticipation or always involve his TE, but he can certainly run a play action offense.

Fields on the other hand looks lost when a team mixes up coverages on him. His pre-snap reads are awful right now. Unless Tom Arth is a magician, I don't see how Fields develops in Pittsburgh.

[K_C_]

I will say that the news today of Russ Wilson struggling with play action “he needs the spread the field from shotgun and “see it open” plus his aversion to throwing to the TE makes me wonder if maybe they are setting this up for Fields, whether it’s this year or next. If your offense is PA and QB runs to complement your heavy dose of RB runs, who cares if your QB is a good passer?

When you described the type of offense Arthur Smith plans on running in Pittsburgh, I said that it fits Justin Fields a lot better than it does an old Russell Wilson.

At some point, Fields will take over at QB. There's simply no doubt in my mind.

There is still upside there coming out of an embarrassingly awful Bears organization.

[K_C_]

Russell Wilson is 35, not 37. He still has zip on the ball and runs quite well for 35.

His supposedly disappointing 2023 shits all over anything Fields has ever done. Play action is one of his strengths from my recollection. I agree he doesn't throw with anticipation or always involve his TE, but he can certainly run a play action offense.

Fields on the other hand looks lost when a team mixes up coverages on him. His pre-snap reads are awful right now. Unless Tom Arth is a magician, I don't see how Fields develops in Pittsburgh.

Weird though that Denver is literally paying this 35 year old Russell Wilson over 100 million bucks not to play for the Broncos. Hmmmmm.......

Also, while Russ had a nice bounce back year (with some pretty incredible weapons) in Denver last season, Fields 2022 season shits all over Russell Wilson's 2022 output, with far less talent around him.

[Mick]

Russell Wilson is 35, not 37. He still has zip on the ball and runs quite well for 35.

His supposedly disappointing 2023 shits all over anything Fields has ever done. Play action is one of his strengths from my recollection. I agree he doesn't throw with anticipation or always involve his TE, but he can certainly run a play action offense.

Fields on the other hand looks lost when a team mixes up coverages on him. His pre-snap reads are awful right now. Unless Tom Arth is a magician, I don't see how Fields develops in Pittsburgh.

Weird though that Denver is literally paying this 35 year old Russell Wilson over 100 million bucks not to play for the Broncos. Hmmmmm.......

Also, while Russ had a nice bounce back year (with some pretty incredible weapons) in Denver last season, Fields 2022 season shits all over Russell Wilson's 2022 output, with far less talent around him.

Fields was 33rd out of 33 qualified QBs in NY/A in 2022? Wilson 22nd.

[jewelsongs]

Russell Wilson is 35, not 37. He still has zip on the ball and runs quite well for 35.

His supposedly disappointing 2023 shits all over anything Fields has ever done. Play action is one of his strengths from my recollection. I agree he doesn't throw with anticipation or always involve his TE, but he can certainly run a play action offense.

Fields on the other hand looks lost when a team mixes up coverages on him. His pre-snap reads are awful right now. Unless Tom Arth is a magician, I don't see how Fields develops in Pittsburgh.

Weird though that Denver is literally paying this 35 year old Russell Wilson over 100 million bucks not to play for the Broncos. Hmmmmm.......

Also, while Russ had a nice bounce back year (with some pretty incredible weapons) in Denver last season, Fields 2022 season shits all over Russell Wilson's 2022 output, with far less talent around him.

Consider that maybe this is a coach who refuses to adapt to his players, only wanting players who fit his system. I don't think Lamar Jackson would fit his system either, and he is pretty good. I think Denver knows they will suck for a couple of seasons, and the owners are willing to back the coach. We will see how that works, but when the fire the coach, they will probably overpay the next savior QB. Bad teams (Cleveland) do what bad teams (Cleveland) do.

[franco32]

The Broncos are paying Wilson not to play for them because Payton and Wilson are mortal enemies and hate each other to death. You simply can't have that in the locker room. I'm not sure it is an indication that Russell is totally washed. It's more of an indication that he was butting heads with Payton.

I still think Russ has a little left in the tank.

[K_C_]

Russell Wilson is 35, not 37. He still has zip on the ball and runs quite well for 35.

His supposedly disappointing 2023 shits all over anything Fields has ever done. Play action is one of his strengths from my recollection. I agree he doesn't throw with anticipation or always involve his TE, but he can certainly run a play action offense.

Fields on the other hand looks lost when a team mixes up coverages on him. His pre-snap reads are awful right now. Unless Tom Arth is a magician, I don't see how Fields develops in Pittsburgh.

Weird though that Denver is literally paying this 35 year old Russell Wilson over 100 million bucks not to play for the Broncos. Hmmmmm.......

Also, while Russ had a nice bounce back year (with some pretty incredible weapons) in Denver last season, Fields 2022 season shits all over Russell Wilson's 2022 output, with far less talent around him.

Fields was 33rd out of 33 qualified QBs in NY/A in 2022? Wilson 22nd.

Wilson threw 16 TD passes and had 11 INT's in 2022. Justin Fields threw 17 TD passes and had 11 INT's that same year.

In 2022, Russell Wilson rushed for 277 yards and 3 TD's.

Justin Fields? He only rushed for 1,143 yards and 8 TD's.

Justin Fields finished 10th in AP MVP voting in 2022.

Where is Russell Wilson on that list? Bueller?

[Mick]

Fields got one last place MVP vote from exactly one of the 50 voters that year. I don’t see that as a persuasive point.

We know what a difference say, TJ Watt makes for us being in the lineup for our W/L record. Where the Bears record is actually better when he’s out (7-8 without him, 10-28 with him). Even when he was ‘racking up’ his 3 wins in 2022, he was still terrible so its not like he carried them even in those games. I think he had like 29 combined completions between those games, along with 4 TDs to 5 picks. Sure he ran for 150ish yards on 33 carries, but he also took 11 sacks for 72 yards lost. And fumbled 6 times.

[K_C_]

Fields got one last place MVP vote from exactly one of the 50 voters that year. I don’t see that as a persuasive point.

We know what a difference say, TJ Watt makes for us being in the lineup for our W/L record. Where the Bears record is actually better when he’s out (7-8 without him, 10-28 with him). Even when he was ‘racking up’ his 3 wins in 2022, he was still terrible so its not like he carried them even in those games. I think he had like 29 combined completions between those games, along with 4 TDs to 5 picks. Sure he ran for 150ish yards on 33 carries, but he also took 11 sacks for 72 yards lost. And fumbled 6 times.

Well, how about the fact that Fields was responsible for 6 more TD's than Russell Wilson in 2022? Yeah, that might be what tilts Fields being better than Wilson in 2022....and while Fields only received 1 MVP vote, that's one more than Russell Wilson received.

It's hilarious you mention the Bears record when they were awful on both sides of the ball and Fields had no weapons and no offensive line.

They haven't started improving really any of those categories until last season when they added DJ Moore and the draft picks they added on the o-line ended up being pretty terrible.

I think the reason the majority of Bears fans wanted the team to build around Justin Fields (I wouldn't, I would do exactly what the Bears are doing and re-starting the rookie QB clock with Caleb Williams) is because they've watched this dude go through hell for 3 years on an awful team, with almost no help.

....and Fields is still only 24 years old.

Wilson is over a decade older.

If the Steelers are looking to seal the NHALS, I fully agree, go with Russell Wilson.

If they want to try to develop a guy with ridiculous athletic traits, but who also might put the hallowed NHALS in jeopardy, then Fields is the man.

It's really simple.

[VeritasSteel]

If the debate is between Wilson and Fields starting its simple its Wilson.

This offense doesnt need an over abundance of splashiness from the QB position- it needs a guy that can get us out of a terrible play and can deliver the ball on time to a dude with open field behind him. 60% of the problem last year was the QB had no clue how to get us out of a bad play and into a good one. Which is why we led the league in 3 and outs. Also he was horrible at shifting protections to help himself out.

Wilson has that experience to say nah that play is bullshit- lets get out of that, shift the line and get to a proper read in less than 3 seconds. Also I believe that taking a team to the SB using a similar mentality is beneficial here. Seattle went to two straight SBs running the ball and Wilson was making incredible throws to WRs facing single coverage.

[K_C_]

If the debate is between Wilson and Fields starting its simple its Wilson.

This offense doesnt need an over abundance of splashiness from the QB position- it needs a guy that can get us out of a terrible play and can deliver the ball on time to a dude with open field behind him. 60% of the problem last year was the QB had no clue how to get us out of a bad play and into a good one. Which is why we led the league in 3 and outs. Also he was horrible at shifting protections to help himself out.

Wilson has that experience to say nah that play is bullshit- lets get out of that, shift the line and get to a proper read in less than 3 seconds. Also I believe that taking a team to the SB using a similar mentality is beneficial here. Seattle went to two straight SBs running the ball and Wilson was making incredible throws to WRs facing single coverage.

This Russell Wilson ain’t that Russell Wilson. If he was, dude would still be in Seattle.

That said, I’m sure Cool Shades is over the moon knowing the NHALS is safe another year.