Ben: Would you keep him for 2021?

[bradshaw2ben]

There is an inordinate amount of ‘Ben is done’ talk on the interwebs today. Just looking for you to state your position before tonight’s game influences you: are you ready for the Post-Ben era to begin after this season?

[Jobu]

I have no problem bringing him back for one more go round in 21...at the same time, if the right guy is there at the bottom of the 1st you gotta pull the trigger. The fat lady may not be singing yet, but she’s warming up those chords...

[K_C_]

Ben needs to come back next season, but we need to draft his replacement this season.

Even if that happens to be in the first round.

[Professor Half Wit]

Ben needs to come back next season, but we need to draft his replacement this season.

Even if that happens to be in the first round.

This is where I'm at. Absolutely you bring Ben back. But if you have a chance to draft (we won't) a real QB in the 2021 draft, you do it.

[Kodiak]

Posters on this board have been trying to write Ben off for at least 3 years.

Nothing wrong with his arm. It's the knees/legs that will eventually force him to retire. No idea if that is this year or 5 years from now. But it should be definitively answered next year.

Don't know if he's banged-up now or just had a couple of bad games, like he's had almost every year his entire career. No running game and no OL = if Ben doesn't have his 'A' game he and the offense are going to look bad.

[Rod & Wire Mill]

Bring him back next year and ever after. Draft a new guy when possible. Ben, if willing, could be the backup forever.

[shellwagnerblount]

There is an inordinate amount of ‘Ben is done’ talk on the interwebs today. Just looking for you to state tour position before tonight’s game influences you: are you ready for the Post-Ben era to begin after this season?

I'm hoping for 2-3 more years from Ben. I have a feeling if he can't reach a level that satisfies him anymore, he'll hang em up. He won't have to be told. I wish we knew if his knee is bad because the last few games, he has not looked right. Which makes all that interwebs explode with "he's done" memes, of course.

I'm preparing myself for some very dark years after BEn is gone. The likelihood of finding another franchise QB is not good. Especially when you never finish under .500. A recipe for mediocrity in this QB driven league.

It may be I stop watching football altogether, which makes me a little sad. It's been a part of my life since 1970 or so. But I actually loved the game when you DIDN"T need an all world QB to have a chance. You could get decent, mistake free effort from a backup and still win with the running game, a great D and ST's. Or maybe I'm just getting old? Yes...lol. Or maybe I tire of offense unleashed, tackles not made and officials managing games.

[COR-TEN]

I voted BR stays for at least another year. He's been great this year with a few hiccups, but shit. I'll take BR's decline over two years while grooming another. He's still got it. He's just not 25, and married life sucked the dick out of him.

[Professor Half Wit]

There is an inordinate amount of ‘Ben is done’ talk on the interwebs today. Just looking for you to state tour position before tonight’s game influences you: are you ready for the Post-Ben era to begin after this season?

I'm hoping for 2-3 more years from Ben. I have a feeling if he can't reach a level that satisfies him anymore, he'll hang em up. He won't have to be told. I wish we knew if his knee is bad because the last few games, he has not looked right. Which makes all that interwebs explode with "he's done" memes, of course.

I'm preparing myself for some very dark years after BEn is gone. The likelihood of finding another franchise QB is not good. Especially when you never finish under .500. A recipe for mediocrity in this QB driven league.

It may be I stop watching football altogether, which makes me a little sad. It's been a part of my life since 1970 or so. But I actually loved the game when you DIDN"T need an all world QB to have a chance. You could get decent, mistake free effort from a backup and still win with the running game, a great D and ST's. Or maybe I'm just getting old? Yes...lol. Or maybe I tire of offense unleashed, tackles not made and officials managing games.

Just put on some Charlie Parker while the game is on.

[COR-TEN]

There is an inordinate amount of ‘Ben is done’ talk on the interwebs today. Just looking for you to state tour position before tonight’s game influences you: are you ready for the Post-Ben era to begin after this season?

I'm hoping for 2-3 more years from Ben. I have a feeling if he can't reach a level that satisfies him anymore, he'll hang em up. He won't have to be told. I wish we knew if his knee is bad because the last few games, he has not looked right. Which makes all that interwebs explode with "he's done" memes, of course.

I'm preparing myself for some very dark years after BEn is gone. The likelihood of finding another franchise QB is not good. Especially when you never finish under .500. A recipe for mediocrity in this QB driven league.

It may be I stop watching football altogether, which makes me a little sad. It's been a part of my life since 1970 or so. But I actually loved the game when you DIDN"T need an all world QB to have a chance. You could get decent, mistake free effort from a backup and still win with the running game, a great D and ST's. Or maybe I'm just getting old? Yes...lol. Or maybe I tire of offense unleashed, tackles not made and officials managing games.

Just put on some Charlie Parker while the game is on.

I suggest coltrane. A bit less "stressful." Or maybe chet baker.

[Kodiak]

If you draft a QB in R1, then Ben might as well retire because that's not playing to win now.

QB is the biggest crapshoot in the draft. No way would I roll those dice late in R1 when other players are on the board that could help me win a championship in 2021.

If a Trask or Mac fell to us [highly doubtful] then maybe. The QB carousel can be a long, ugly road - no idea why some people are so anxious to jump on it, other than they enjoy pain and suffering.

[Professor Half Wit]

I suggest coltrane. A bit less "stressful." Or maybe chet baker.

I was acknowledging the gentleposter's very nice avatar, unless I'm mistaken.

[COR-TEN]

I suggest coltrane. A bit less "stressful." Or maybe chet baker.

I was acknowledging the gentleposter's very nice avatar, unless I'm mistaken.

Fuck me I didn't even notice that.

Never mind. . .

[shellwagnerblount]

I suggest coltrane. A bit less "stressful." Or maybe chet baker.

I was acknowledging the gentleposter's very nice avatar, unless I'm mistaken.

Fuck me I didn't even notice that.

Never mind. . .

I appreciate that you two gentlemen know Parker and Coltrane. Rare enough in my experience...

[bradshaw2ben]

If you draft a QB in R1, then Ben might as well retire because that's not playing to win now.

QB is the biggest crapshoot in the draft. No way would I roll those dice late in R1 when other players are on the board that could help me win a championship in 2021.

If a Trask or Mac fell to us [highly doubtful] then maybe. The QB carousel can be a long, ugly road - no idea why some people are so anxious to jump on it, other than they enjoy pain and suffering.

THIS x 100000000000 x infinity

The Steelers currently have the following starters under no contract for 2021:
LT
LG
RT
WR3
RB
CB3
NT
EDGE

plus CB4 is also a FA

On top of that, the're currently over the cap even without signing anyone and the only players on the roster who can be traded or cut to make cap space are:
C
RG
TE1
TE2
CB1
CB2

Thye're not only not going to be able to use Rd 1 on a QB, they need to hit on 3 or 4 immediate starters in this draft at other positions.

On top of THAT, you don't really save much money if Ben retires/is cut, compared to the savings you get from extending him 3+ years.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Ben has 5 more years in him EASY

Drafting a QB almost always fails......

Who cares if we have a few bad seasons after he leaves. Most of you bitch and moan during Super Bowl runs

[LakecrestSteeler]

I have no problem bringing him back for one more go round in 21...at the same time, if the right guy is there at the bottom of the 1st you gotta pull the trigger. The fat lady may not be singing yet, but she’s warming up those chords...

This....he is probably one injury away from a curtain call in his head too.

[Jobu]

If you draft a QB in R1, then Ben might as well retire because that's not playing to win now.

QB is the biggest crapshoot in the draft. No way would I roll those dice late in R1 when other players are on the board that could help me win a championship in 2021.

If a Trask or Mac fell to us [highly doubtful] then maybe. The QB carousel can be a long, ugly road - no idea why some people are so anxious to jump on it, other than they enjoy pain and suffering.

THIS x 100000000000 x infinity

The Steelers currently have the following starters under no contract for 2021:
LT
LG
RT
WR3
RB
CB3
NT
EDGE

plus CB4 is also a FA

On top of that, the're currently over the cap even without signing anyone and the only players on the roster who can be traded or cut to make cap space are:
C
RG
TE1
TE2
CB1
CB2

Thye're not only not going to be able to use Rd 1 on a QB, they need to hit on 3 or 4 immediate starters in this draft at other positions.

On top of THAT, you don't really save much money if Ben retires/is cut, compared to the savings you get from extending him 3+ years.

I think you just made an argument for why you draft a QB if the right one is available. I know you, and most everyone else don’t want to admit it, I probably don’t either, but realistically, the rebuild starts in 2021

[Kodiak]

When Ben said he wanted to win championships, plural, I doubt he was thinking back-to-back and retire. I think he had in mind 3+ years.

[LakecrestSteeler]

If you draft a QB in R1, then Ben might as well retire because that's not playing to win now.

QB is the biggest crapshoot in the draft. No way would I roll those dice late in R1 when other players are on the board that could help me win a championship in 2021.

If a Trask or Mac fell to us [highly doubtful] then maybe. The QB carousel can be a long, ugly road - no idea why some people are so anxious to jump on it, other than they enjoy pain and suffering.

If the best guy on the board is a QB you draft him whether it is round 1 or round 11. That is still a win now formula. The 2 are not mutually exclusive in my humble opinion Kodiak.

Maybe you mean trading a slew of picks for a 1st rd QB. There are definitely degrees and nuisances with your statement that can make it buy or sell.

[Kodiak]

The 2 are not mutually exclusive in my humble opinion Kodiak. =

How so? You going to play 2 QB's at the same time?

The braintrust has quite the track record at drafting & developing QB's. Can't wait to waste a decade of #1 picks on QB like CLE did.

[SteelerDayTrader]

all the qbs in this draft suck anyway.......career backups ......or outta the league when reversion to mean hits

[Orangesteel]

Absolutely keep Ben for 21’ campaign.

And I’d like to segue this into a reminder of how fucking STUPID burning draft capital on QBs is/was during Ben’s tenure. You try and sign a veteran as a back up QB if your HoF QB shows no sign of slowing down. The fact that the Steelers have drafted 5 backups during this time, including 2 in consecutive years, is criminal and moronic.

[K_C_]

If you draft a QB in R1, then Ben might as well retire because that's not playing to win now.

QB is the biggest crapshoot in the draft. No way would I roll those dice late in R1 when other players are on the board that could help me win a championship in 2021.

If a Trask or Mac fell to us [highly doubtful] then maybe. The QB carousel can be a long, ugly road - no idea why some people are so anxious to jump on it, other than they enjoy pain and suffering.

The Packers drafted a QB in round one and Rodgers is having an incredible year.

The Pack is in the thick of race in the NFC.

When the Pack drafted Rogers, Favre was at the top of his game.

They were contenders the year Rodgers was drafted, if I'm not mistaken.

Ben can't play forever and the NFL is changing. Look at what a second round pick has done in Philly after Carson Wentz stunk it up all year.

Hurts is much more effective than Wentz because he understands the game better. Wentz had the measurables. Hurts has the instincts.

Besides, what we have behind Ben is an absolutely embarrassment.

[punum123]

My opinion I don’t think you can not afford to keep him for 1 more year at least. Steelers are so risk averse....and there’s just nothing of value behind Ben IMO. Rudolph shows no signs of being next up IMO.

[Ice]

I'm not sure my answer to the question is represented in the poll. I have some hope, in that young QBs have been seemingly coming in and winning at a pretty high clip, but most of those are top ten picks. The bottom of the first isn't where you want to be to get that job done.

Ben's already said he's committed to one more year, playing out his current contract. He hasn't given any indication of being open to three more years. Where does that leave the team? It's an interesting question, with a lot of possible answers.

[Orangesteel]

By the way, the best thing Ben can do to answer all this crap is ball out tonight in Shitcinnati. Will he? Will he be allowed to?

[Kodiak]

Not to compare the two, but look at Kurt Warner and Tommy Maddox. And they aren't the only two who performed after a second chance - you have recent history with Tannenhill. There are others.

Some guys who sucked with new teams, too. But the NFL gives almost no one a 2nd chance at QB, for some reason. Not even as backups. They'd all rather spend a draft pick and reach in the draft than take a chance a guy was just on a bad team or in the wrong scheme.

Especially now I think we'll see some guys wash out simply because they're a bad fit for the offense the team wants to run. Imagine what happens if Burrow and Fields never transfer. If a guy has NFL arm talent, and is just sitting out there on the street...

Trubisky and Wentz are liable to be cut this year. We can't afford to pay those guys as backups, but I'm not sure there will be much of a martket for them. Again, the league doesn't seem big on 2nd chances for high profile guys who didn't get a C2.

[K_C_]

Not to compare the two, but look at Kurt Warner and Tommy Maddox. And they aren't the only two who performed after a second chance - you have recent history with Tannenhill. There are others.

Some guys who sucked with new teams, too. But the NFL gives almost no one a 2nd chance at QB, for some reason. Not even as backups. They'd all rather spend a draft pick and reach in the draft than take a chance a guy was just on a bad team or in the wrong scheme.

Especially now I think we'll see some guys wash out simply because they're a bad fit for the offense the team wants to run. Imagine what happens if Burrow and Fields never transfer. If a guy has NFL arm talent, and is just sitting out there on the street...

Trubisky and Wentz are liable to be cut this year. We can't afford to pay those guys as backups, but I'm not sure there will be much of a martket for them. Again, the league doesn't seem big on 2nd chances for high profile guys who didn't get a C2.

I don't believe cutting Wentz is an option. The Eagles will likely try and trade him if they can.

[bradshaw2ben]

You either have money to extend Ben or you dump him and sign a vet QB AND draft a rookie.

You let everyone walk. Complete rebuild in that second scenario.

If not for the salary cap, they could sign or trade for a vet backup AND draft a young guy and re-sign the free agents. Keep the band together.

But there's a cap, and no matter how much you want to manipulate it, there's a price to be paid.

Unless you want to have an OL of Chuks-Dotson-Hassenauer-Derwn Gray-3rd round RT and skill set of BSF-DJ-Washington-Chase-Zach Gentry-Kevin Rader, with a CB crew of Justin Layne-Joe Haden-Pierre- Rookie 3rd rounder just to add Sam Darnold and Trask or whichever QB falls to 15.