Can somebody with a connection with the broader Steeler fan base please help me understand...

[jeemie]

...what the FUCK is with this obsession a significant portion of the fan base...and some of the local media too...have with Justin Fields?

Seriously...I don't understand the love these guys have for Fields...at all.

Thanks in advance.

[Mason_Almighty]

They forgot about Kordell

[Louis Lipps Service]

Historically, the Steelers have had a pretty big reluctance to bring in outside players at key positions. They've generally wanted to draft those players, develop them in-house, and use free agency to fill in the back end of the roster for depth. There's exceptions, of course. Bettis, Farrior, et al.

It was a strategy that worked quite well until you-know-who took over the reigns and ran things into the ground with shit drafting and even worse player development.

However, one side effect with respect to the fanbase is that since the Steelers have rarely been in the mix with regards to trades or free agent acquisitions, Steeler fans (in the general sense) have long been enamored with "splash" acquisitions. As long as I can remember, fans have gotten giddy at seeing the Steeler name in the national headlines when rumors involving a recognizable name would swirl.

Those rumors almost always turn out to be false, because that's just not the Steelers way.

But fans definitely eat it up.

And, as in this case, the player doesn't even have to be particularly good....just recognizable.

Couple that with our current shit sandwich of our quarterback depth, and you see why this rumor just won't die.

[jeemie]

Historically, the Steelers have had a pretty big reluctance to bring in outside players at key positions. They've generally wanted to draft those players, develop them in-house, and use free agency to fill in the back end of the roster for depth. There's exceptions, of course. Bettis, Farrior, et al.

It was a strategy that worked quite well until you-know-who took over the reigns and ran things into the ground with shit drafting and even worse player development.

However, one side effect with respect to the fanbase is that since the Steelers have rarely been in the mix with regards to trades or free agent acquisitions, Steeler fans (in the general sense) have long been enamored with "splash" acquisitions. As long as I can remember, fans have gotten giddy at seeing the Steeler name in the national headlines when rumors involving a recognizable name would swirl.

Those rumors almost always turn out to be false, because that's just not the Steelers way.

But fans definitely eat it up.

And, as in this case, the player doesn't even have to be particularly good....just recognizable.

Couple that with our current shit sandwich of our quarterback depth, and you see why this rumor just won't die.

But these people WANT Fields.

They think if we get Fields, we are finally actual Super Bowl contenders.

Fields is probably better than Pickett...but he is NOT "the guy".

I don't get why people think he is.

[Orangesteel]

Because these idiots think having a mobile QB is all this offense needs to take off. It shows their stupidity and the stupidity that Tomlin and probably Rooney endorse.

Fields would be just another version of Trubisky. Obviously not the same player but wouldn’t do a fucking thing in Pittsburgh.

[DP39]

Historically, the Steelers have had a pretty big reluctance to bring in outside players at key positions. They've generally wanted to draft those players, develop them in-house, and use free agency to fill in the back end of the roster for depth. There's exceptions, of course. Bettis, Farrior, et al.

It was a strategy that worked quite well until you-know-who took over the reigns and ran things into the ground with shit drafting and even worse player development.

However, one side effect with respect to the fanbase is that since the Steelers have rarely been in the mix with regards to trades or free agent acquisitions, Steeler fans (in the general sense) have long been enamored with "splash" acquisitions. As long as I can remember, fans have gotten giddy at seeing the Steeler name in the national headlines when rumors involving a recognizable name would swirl.

Those rumors almost always turn out to be false, because that's just not the Steelers way.

But fans definitely eat it up.

And, as in this case, the player doesn't even have to be particularly good....just recognizable.

Couple that with our current shit sandwich of our quarterback depth, and you see why this rumor just won't die.

But these people WANT Fields.

They think if we get Fields, we are finally actual Super Bowl contenders.

Fields is probably better than Pickett...but he is NOT "the guy".

I don't get why people think he is.

I think it's because he is probably the most physically gifted young FA QB that could be available -- sans the draft. He doesn't have "it" above the neck, nor in his mechanics. They see that and see what Lamar, with similar skills, is doing in Baltimore and think Fields could do that and maybe more for us. That's my best guess anyway.

While I'm not a fan, I don't totally hate the player. I think there is a slight chance he becomes a late bloomer. I'd take him as a backup (only if we had a great QB whisperer coach), and let him marinate for a few years -- a la J-Love.

[Jobu]

But these people WANT Fields.

Who are these people? Because I haven’t seen any…or at least not many. Sure, the “media” has put it out there, but they link the Steelers with every available/possibly available QB.
Steelers favorite to land Justin Fields.
Steelers top list for Russell Wilson.
Last year it was Aaron Rodgers could end up in Pittsburgh.
When you don’t have a QB, you’ll be linked to every QB on the market. And when you don’t have a QB, you should be open to every QB on the market.
And just for the record…if the Steelers did trade for Fields, they won’t, but if they did, he would immediately become the best QB on their roster!

[the-other-burg]

Are we talking about the same fan base that unilaterally supports Mike Tomlin? I'm sure this is the segment of the population that doesn't spend much time thinking to deeply about things, or joining message boards to debate and analyze the team.

[jeemie]

Fields isn't a FA. We would have to trade for him.

[langer]

They are programmed.

[Steelperch]

I’ll try to answer with 5 simple reasons.

5. Tomlin and company really liked Fields in the draft process, he’s still young (younger than Pickett) and on rookie deal.

4. Fields has a good arm and is very athletic.

3. The Bears did not surround us with much support.

2. The Bears are going to have to dump him if they go QB first overall, so he could be had relatively cheap.

1. Our QB is Kenny fucking Pickett. Anything is an upgrade.I do mean anything.

[jewelsongs]

I’ll try to answer with 5 simple reasons.

5. Tomlin and company really liked Fields in the draft process, he’s still young (younger than Pickett) and on rookie deal.

4. Fields has a good arm and is very athletic.

3. The Bears did not surround us with much support.

2. The Bears are going to have to dump him if they go QB first overall, so he could be had relatively cheap.

1. Our QB is Kenny fucking Pickett. Anything is an upgrade.I do mean anything.

+1

[CKSteeler]

I remember arguing about Justin Fields when he was coming out with Steelers fans. The hell if I get the fascination with him.