Fields vs. Russ

[Northern_Blitz]

It’s especially tough to get a guy when you trade away your first round pick in a franchise QB-rich draft after your 37-year old QB shreds his throwing elbow simply because you can’t stomach finishing a single season below .500.

It’s time to start thinking about moving guys like Pickens and TJ for top picks while their market value is high. Maybe not in 2025, but in 2026 have enough draft capital to move up.

I get the idea for this strategy. And sometimes think it's the way to go.

But the odds are you'll trade away great players and get a bust at quarterback.

Ultimately most QBs fail.

[WindyCitySteel]

We’re stumbling into the playoffs with a declining QB. If this continues vs. Cincy, I think we are one and done. That’s a really bad defense.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/01/russell-wilson-hits-new-low-in-nfl-coms-qb-index-is-one-spot-ahead-of-kenny-pickett/

[NorthCoast]

We’re stumbling into the playoffs with a declining QB. If this continues vs. Cincy, I think we are one and done. That’s a really bad defense.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/01/ru...kenny-pickett/

Great. Steelers traded away Pickett, only to get a Pickett in return.....<insert frown emoji>

But I will say that the expectation for any QB to play perfect football isn't reasonable. Josh Allen is 5-0 this season throwing 1 or more INTs. Wilson is 3-2.

[WindyCitySteel]

Just gonna leave this here.

https://x.com/JRown32/status/1875896776886227452

[Northern_Blitz]

Just gonna leave this here.

https://x.com/JRown32/status/1875896776886227452

I was hoping we'd give him a few series yesterday.

And I wouldn't be upset if we started him in the playoffs.

After the last 4 games, I think I'd rather move forward with Fields. Ideally getting rid of Smith and shopping for an OC to specifically develop an offense for him. But I can't see the Steelers doing either of these things.

[LPMAN]

Just gonna leave this here.

https://x.com/JRown32/status/1875896776886227452

I will say Arthur Smiths offense is a better fit for Fields since Smith only likes to run the ball. Why not put a RB at QB?

[hawaiiansteel]

Just gonna leave this here.

https://x.com/JRown32/status/1875896776886227452

Pfft, context is needed.

The first half of our schedule was much easier than our last half.

[WindyCitySteel]

Pfft, context is needed.

The first half of our schedule was much easier than our last half.

OL hadn’t gelled yet, Fields faced #1 and #5 defenses. Would have scored 27 vs. #1 if they didn’t kneel out the clock.

[hawaiiansteel]

We need to draft a QB....in round one or two of the 2025 draft.

Only if there is a QB worthy of that selection and I don't believe there will be any available.

This is how draft mistakes are made, putting need first instead of selecting BPA.

[Northern_Blitz]

OL hadn’t gelled yet, Fields faced #1 and #5 defenses. Would have scored 27 vs. #1 if they didn’t kneel out the clock.

I don't think Fields was any better than Russ has been.

But I don't think he was any worse either.

If we can pick between them for next season, I'd take Fields because he'll probably be cheaper by a fair amount. And there's a chance he will get better.

I think the tough part of a Fields contract is that he'll probably want a short deal because his market value will likely increase if he's a starter all year. I'd rather get 3-4 years and pay a bit more. But he'll probably want 1 or 2 years so he can be a UFA again soon.

Good news would be that you could put a lot of unlikely to be earned bonuses into a contract for him. That wasn't last offseason because he had started for CHI and had totals that were fairly high.

[feltdizz]

I don't think Fields was any better than Russ has been.

But I don't think he was any worse either.

If we can pick between them for next season, I'd take Fields because he'll probably be cheaper by a fair amount. And there's a chance he will get better.

I think the tough part of a Fields contract is that he'll probably want a short deal because his market value will likely increase if he's a starter all year. I'd rather get 3-4 years and pay a bit more. But he'll probably want 1 or 2 years so he can be a UFA again soon.

Good news would be that you could put a lot of unlikely to be earned bonuses into a contract for him. That wasn't last offseason because he had started for CHI and had totals that were fairly high.

I think players are starting to realize contracts that give them money they will never obtain aren't good contracts. Plus.. and I'm still in my feelsings, but I think last game showed we are willing to suppress offensive production to save money.

Can't tell me there wasn't a bonus for Russ to complete X amount of passes because we damn sure made sure to handcuff the offense last game.

[Northern_Blitz]

I think players are starting to realize contracts that give them money they will never obtain aren't good contracts. Plus.. and I'm still in my feelsings, but I think last game showed we are willing to suppress offensive production to save money.

Can't tell me there wasn't a bonus for Russ to complete X amount of passes because we damn sure made sure to handcuff the offense last game.

If they were trying to screw him out of a completed pass bonus, it seems like the WRs and TEs were in on it. <sad emoji>

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Only if there is a QB worthy of that selection and I don't believe there will be any available.

This is how draft mistakes are made, putting need first instead of selecting BPA.

Do you think all the QB's we pass on in one or two ( assume we do so in the 2024 draft ) will be disappointments or busts? You draft for need. Certain positions are more valuable than others. BPA's can be busts too.

-JB

[Ghost]

Fields is 17-33. He sucked for the bears and was not good for the Steelers. Why is anyone pretending he is the answer. He is NOT. He is in his 4th year. No miracle turnaround is coming. Just stop.

[WindyCitySteel]

Run it back with Fields, draft Beck out of Georgia. Had a down year, could fall to 2nd round, all the tools and smart QB. You can still operate with as high floor and give a young guy a chance to smash through the ceiling.

Teams studied film on Wilson in this offense. Just defend short and deep sideline, not throwing to the middle.