This should be the reset year: don't bring back Rodgers

[tbsteel]

We've got two young QBs we've drafted the last two years and we are a team that is desperately needing to figure out our long-term QB situation.

Do we really think bringing back a 43-year-old Aaron Rodgers makes sense? Do we think that puts us over the top as a Super Bowl team? Rodgers was okay last year for the most part, but is clearly on fumes at best and it's only going to get worse from here. Will the Steelers be honest with themselves for once and understand that, while the goal every year is to win a championship, it's not happening next season?

We brought in this supposed QB whisperer and developer in Mike McCarthy. Let him earn his pay and go to work with these two young guys.

We don't need to see 17 games of a 43-year-old Aaron Rodgers whose heart clearly isn't 100% into this game anymore.

We don't need to see year 8 of the Mason Rudolph experience.

This needs to be a reset year. Let's have Allar and Howard battle it out and split reps in camp and preseason, and whoever comes out on top let's roll with it this year and see what we've got.

If it doesn't work? Okay, now we know and plus we'll be in a position to draft a guy in 2027 in what should hopefully be a good QB class.

And if one of these young guys does show out and plays good? Then hell f'n yeah, let's roll.

[cop1211]

Exactly

[sowhat]

totally agree.
i'd make it publicly known that the steelers are not interested in rodgers anymore. i'd be fine with 7-10 or 8-9 with one if our young qbs.

[Steeler_Fanatic]

Agree

[Mick]

We just blew our biggest draft capital allotment in decades on a bunch of guys whose only positive quality is that they are old enough to be able to contribute this year. Probably our oldest draft class ever?

[tbsteel]

We just blew our biggest draft capital allotment in decades on a bunch of guys whose only positive quality is that they are old enough to be able to contribute this year. Probably our oldest draft class ever?

I don't see that at all. This feels significantly younger than many of our recent drafts.

Max is 22 (turns 23 in October)
Bernard is 22 (turns 23 in December)
Allar is 22 (just turned 22 last month)
Everette is 21 (turns 22 in May)
Dunker is 22 (turns 23 in May)

Wetjen and Nowakowski are a bit older, but Rubio is 22, Spears-Jennings just turned 22, and Heidenreich is 22.

[W&M_Steeler]

The only way this happens is if Rodgers decides he doesn't want to play. Art 2 said he doesn't believe in rebuild years.

[Steelafan77]

TB, you bring up a sensible approach that would be challenging for this owner, any player or any coach to agree with.

As we all know ownership couldn’t really give a shit less about fans, you know, the people financing them and this league.

So, that said, although I fully agree with you TB I think it’s more a fan fantasy at this point that they consider the writing on the wall, our plight.

This franchise has proven again, again, and again that they are in it to win it even though it’s a futile mentality that only backfires on them.

Drafting consistently in the 20’s seems to be the only constant aside of being embarrassingly blown out in the postseason one and done.

I get it, to fail means to quit. In my opinion fans are not asking them to quit winning, but to quit losing. Because they've lost their way.

I expect the same results this season as last and the many before. They will die trying to win ‘their way’ and shit the bed badly.

Drafting again in the 20’s chalking it up to one or two unlucky bad ball bounces away from the glory land. Definition of insanity.

Meanwhile, disappointed, we begrudgingly continue the hardline approach sticking it out rooting for them every mortifying step of the way.

This had to be one the worst draft experiences for me in recent memory. Typically I remind myself they get the big bucks to do this.

I found myself questioning every player draft selection where they were drafted and how. Not usually what I do. I simply sit back and enjoy it.

I think they’re stuck in their own dimension of self admiration, stubbornness, and out of touch with reality. Definition of blind vanity.

Sadly, I don’t know if they will ever snap out of it long enough for the change that we’re craving to be realized. Return to the Steelers of old.

If you read this as a spineless sappy fan expressing weakness I assure you it’s quite the contrary.

My passion for this franchise runs deep in my bones and has since I was 8. First Love Curse….

[.Kodiak]

"Trying to win every year" is just a dumb cliche.

It's not mutually exclusive to starting a rookie QB. They damn near won with a rookie QB, even back at a time when rookies rarely had success starting and it was a much bigger leap from college to the NFL.

Same as any other young player. Vs a more experienced guy, it's just lower floor/higher ceiling vs. the opposite. And IMO this conservative approach is always suboptimal - vets still make mistakes, and they aren't making the splash plays the more talented rookie might.

All "trying to win every year" really means is getting your best players on the field and scheming to maximize their potential. Does Aaron Rodgers really make you better when it matters? Better than Will Howard? Probably, but that's not the right question. The question is not 6 wins vs. 10 wins, it's whether Rodgers give you a better shot at winning a SB. And no he does not.

[955876]

The only way this happens is if Rodgers decides he doesn't want to play. Art 2 said he doesn't believe in rebuild years.

Problem is that Dunce Rooney is too football stupid to realize this is a rebuild year whether he likes it or not.

Rodgers doesn’t make us competitive in the postseason. See last year’s awful wildcard game “performance”.

Rodgers simply increases the likelihood of 10-7 while decreasing the likelihood of 7-10.

THAT is all Dunce Rooney really cares about. Checking that “winning season” box while gaslighting the dumb lemming fans out there into believing we were a “play here and a play there” from going deeper into the playoffs.

Sooner he’s gone the better.

[W&M_Steeler]

The only way this happens is if Rodgers decides he doesn't want to play. Art 2 said he doesn't believe in rebuild years.

Problem is that Dunce Rooney is too football stupid to realize this is a rebuild year whether he likes it or not.

Rodgers doesn’t make us competitive in the postseason. See last year’s awful wildcard game “performance”.

Rodgers simply increases the likelihood of 10-7 while decreasing the likelihood of 7-10.

THAT is all Dunce Rooney really cares about. Checking that “winning season” box while gaslighting the dumb lemming fans out there into believing we were a “play here and a play there” from going deeper into the playoffs.

Sooner he’s gone the better.

I agree with you. Unfortunately Art 2 seems to be a short term thinker. Apparently he doesn't understand that 2003 turned out to be a longer term success for the Steelers despite being a losing season because it put them in a position to take Ben.

Would Rooney have preferred a 10-6 season in 2003, a Wild Card round loss, and a late first round pick in 2004 just because it meant they'd had a winning season in 2003? That's the difference between getting Roethlisberger and getting JP Losman.

All winning that week 18 game against the Ravens did was give the Steelers worse draft position. Having the chance to watch the Texans blow them out in the playoffs was not worth it.

[StillerDownSouth]

Fuck Rodgers, Steelers need to go ahead and tell him he can go ahead a fuck off into retirement, it’s maddening they would even let him come back, and what’s worse is it seems like they will be over the moon if he comes back.

[Ice]

We just blew our biggest draft capital allotment in decades on a bunch of guys whose only positive quality is that they are old enough to be able to contribute this year. Probably our oldest draft class ever?

I don't see that at all. This feels significantly younger than many of our recent drafts.

Max is 22 (turns 23 in October)
Bernard is 22 (turns 23 in December)
Allar is 22 (just turned 22 last month)
Everette is 21 (turns 22 in May)
Dunker is 22 (turns 23 in May)

Wetjen and Nowakowski are a bit older, but Rubio is 22, Spears-Jennings just turned 22, and Heidenreich is 22.

Add to this that, with NIL, college players entering the NFL are going to be older than they have been, on average, for the foreseeable future, which, as far as play on the field, and being able to contribute sooner than later, isn't a bad thing.

[955876]

Would Rooney have preferred a 10-6 season in 2003, a Wild Card round loss, and a late first round pick in 2004 just because it meant they'd had a winning season in 2003? That's the difference between getting Roethlisberger and getting JP Losman.

Yes. Yes he would.

[Gonzo]

This shit with Rodger’s is getting tiresome and humiliating IMO
They bend over backwards in public statements to appease him even at current payers expense
And for a guy that doesn’t want to be involved n preseason activity with the team and honesty played medium to poor last year and was embarrassingly skittish. As said above he is obviously not fully IN anymore
I can’t for the life of me understand why they tolerate this crap … and tolerate it for no real gain.
If he comes back and starts … I will fish more
I am tired of Rooney for allowing this and tired of Rodger’s bullshit including his par play and constant blame game

[Stillerz Bar]

This shit with Rodger’s is getting tiresome and humiliating IMO
They bend over backwards in public statements to appease him even at current payers expense
And for a guy that doesn’t want to be involved n preseason activity with the team and honesty played medium to poor last year and was embarrassingly skittish. As said above he is obviously not fully IN anymore
I can’t for the life of me understand why they tolerate this crap … and tolerate it for no real gain.
If he comes back and starts … I will fish more
I am tired of Rooney for allowing this and tired of Rodger’s bullshit including his par play and constant blame game

The worst part is the Rogers isn't that good anymore. He had a few good games last year but he also had several clunkers and by the end of the season he looked frail and scared in the pocket.

I'd much rather have the winner of Howard / Allar under center this year - at last they won't throw -5 yard passes all day just to avoid being hit. If one of them turns out to be the long-term answer.... GREAT!! If not, at least we know and we can try to find our future QB next year.

[Jobu]

The worst part is the Rogers isn't that good anymore. He had a few good games last year but he also had several clunkers and by the end of the season he looked frail and scared in the pocket.

And this is what the fanboys pining for another season(and then another) with Rodgers just refuse to admit. He took a couple hits last season that I honestly didn’t think he was getting up from. At 42, going on 43, it’s not getting better!
Just retire…it’s over.

[anpsteel]

what makes no sense, is IF you expect to make a move for a top tier QB next draft, why tf would you use a 3rd round pick on a seriously skill deficient QB, this draft.

Take a flyer in the later rounds... but a 3rd??

Its just stupid


anywho

[JackLambert58]

Tomlin predicts Rodgers will return: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ex-steel ... nfl-future

As for me, I say so long to him.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

this latest bullshit with the tender and his holding out after the draft is pissing me off and I'm been one of his biggest defenders

[955876]

Here is what the short-sighted Dunce Rooney will do….

1) Bring back Rodgers.

2) Trade or cut Will Howard because he’s terrified of losing a a few games if Rodgers gets hurt. Must retain Rudolph at all cost. As if he somehow helps our postseason chances.

3) Will still need another QB next year.

Cut ties with Mason already. This pearl clutching by Dunce Rooney is becoming nauseating.

[Steel Ubaldo]

I actually liked Rogers as a QB last year. He tailed off at the end as it seemed the OL couldn’t provide any protection for him.
The Steelers were entertaining last year. If Rodgers is back this year, and I believe it’s a virtual certainty that he will be, I look forward to watching McCarthy’s offense run by someone who has it mastered. I’m sure at some point in the season, Rodgers will get hurt which will provide an opportunity to see Howard play or watch Allar choke like a dog in live game action.

This team realistically isn’t going anywhere so I am ok with Rodgers slinging it around for a few games until the oline gets him killed. We can then enjoy seeing Howard and Allar look confused and running for their lives.

[jeemie]

Here is what the short-sighted Dunce Rooney will do….

1) Bring back Rodgers.

2) Trade or cut Will Howard because he’s terrified of losing a a few games if Rodgers gets hurt. Must retain Rudolph at all cost. As if he somehow helps our postseason chances.

3) Will still need another QB next year.

Cut ties with Mason already. This pearl clutching by Dunce Rooney is becoming nauseating.

Art II was always the bigger problem.

I want the Art II that challenged Bill in 2005 that "now is the time" back, not this commissioner-fawning, cater-to-the Shadyside-bistro crowd, 9-8/10-7 means we are right there asshole we have today.

[Stillerz Bar]

Good article on a UFA tender and how the Steelers using it on Rogers impacts things going forward.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/486 ... -does-mean