"It's Russ".... [from no higher source]

[NorthCoast]

[Eich]

Well, I think he's clearly the better overall QB between him and Fields. But will he be worth the difference in money? Probably not, if worth is measured in playoff wins.

I think we're in stopgap territory with the QB position until the rest of the team is built up and a franchise QB is drafted and a new head coach replaces Tomlin. So, if I were running the Steelers, I would admittedly go cheap on the QB position right now.

But if Tomlin wants his winning-season record in tact, and to be "right" when he said, "That's why I'm highly-compensated", then I'd expect him to lobby hard for paying Wilson.

[whatever]

It’s almost comical following this team now.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Well, I think he's clearly the better overall QB between him and Fields. But will he be worth the difference in money? Probably not, if worth is measured in playoff wins.

I think we're in stopgap territory with the QB position until the rest of the team is built up and a franchise QB is drafted and a new head coach replaces Tomlin. So, if I were running the Steelers, I would admittedly go cheap on the QB position right now.

But if Tomlin wants his winning-season record in tact, and to be "right" when he said, "That's why I'm highly-compensated", then I'd expect him to lobby hard for paying Wilson.

This is so on point.

Honestly, I've been leaning Fields for a few reasons:

• Neither is going to lead you to a Super Bowl, why not take the cheaper guy because....
• You save money to sign FA, including extending your own, building a better team for the guy when you find him.
• You're likely to have a slightly worse record with Fields (and therefore better draft pick)
• With rare exception, no one parts with their franchise QB - you gotta find him in the draft.

More on the "no one is going to give you their QB". There's Brady, Manning and Brees who were already the man. The other exception is the Rams-Lions trade, but those guys traded first round picks. I don't want to go find the next Kirk Cousins, nor pick up a Dak...

Anyway, I draft a QB somewhere on day 2 this year. Then, in 2026, I'm trading up and drafting Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee.

Final note: I don't think replacing Tomlin's the plan. Just hearing them talk, they sound attached. I think he could have a couple of sub .500 seasons with Fields, then a rookie and still be safe... but, he *would* be on the hot seat at that point.

[whatever]

This is so on point.

Honestly, I've been leaning Fields for a few reasons:

• Neither is going to lead you to a Super Bowl, why not take the cheaper guy because....
• You save money to sign FA, including extending your own, building a better team for the guy when you find him.
• You're likely to have a slightly worse record with Fields (and therefore better draft pick)
• With rare exception, no one parts with their franchise QB - you gotta find him in the draft.

More on the "no one is going to give you their QB". There's Brady, Manning and Brees who were already the man. The other exception is the Rams-Lions trade, but those guys traded first round picks. I don't want to go find the next Kirk Cousins, nor pick up a Dak...

Anyway, I draft a QB somewhere on day 2 this year. Then, in 2026, I'm trading up and drafting Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee.

Final note: I don't think replacing Tomlin's the plan. Just hearing them talk, they sound attached. I think he could have a couple of sub .500 seasons with Fields, then a rookie and still be safe... but, he *would* be on the hot seat at that point.

Tomlin will never be on the hot seat.
Tomlin and Rooney always have an excuse that many fans believe year after year.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Tomlin will never be on the hot seat.
Tomlin and Rooney always have an excuse that many fans believe year after year.

he needs someone else to hire his coordinators - to me that's his biggest weakness.

[whatever]

he needs someone else to hire his coordinators - to me that's his biggest weakness.

His ego is what is holding him back.
when he had cowhers players and coaches and the coaches got to do their jobs, he was successful.
when the owner hired his coaches, Tomlin didn’t let them do their job and he failed.
when Tomlin hired his own coaches, he still didn’t let them do their job and he was a failure.
the more involved Tomlin gets, the more the team fails.

[WindyCitySteel]

he needs someone else to hire his coordinators - to me that's his biggest weakness.

Who is going to tell him, he is top dog after Rooney, who appears to have ceded all decision making to him.

Re: the OP, if it was Russ he’d be signed by now, he has no market outside of Pittsburgh.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

His ego is what is holding him back.
when he had cowhers players and coaches and the coaches got to do their jobs, he was successful.
when the owner hired his coaches, Tomlin didn’t let them do their job and he failed.
when Tomlin hired his own coaches, he still didn’t let them do their job and he was a failure.
the more involved Tomlin gets, the more the team fails.

Cowher went 8-8 with Cowher's players and coaches...

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Who is going to tell him, he is top dog after Rooney, who appears to have ceded all decision making to him.

Re: the OP, if it was Russ he’d be signed by now, he has no market outside of Pittsburgh.

I think Omar's the only person with a chance to influence that...

[whatever]

Cowher went 8-8 with Cowher's players and coaches...

Cowher won a super bowl with cowhers players and coaches.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Cowher won a super bowl with cowhers players and coaches.

That was Big Ben and the coordinators... same stuff Tomlin needs now - a franchise QB and better coordinators

(side note, I seem to recall Woodley making MVP plays, while Joey wasn't on that team)

[hawaiiansteel]

Cowher went 8-8 with Cowher's players and coaches...

Yup, and only won one Super Bowl in 15 seasons and only after Rooney forced Big Ben on him.

[whatever]

That was Big Ben and the coordinators... same stuff Tomlin needs now - a franchise QB and better coordinators

(side note, I seem to recall Woodley making MVP plays, while Joey wasn't on that team)

Tomlin had him for years and years.
did nothing but underachieve.

[feltdizz]

Yup, and only won one Super Bowl in 15 seasons and only after Rooney forced Big Ben on him.

Cowher went to a SB in 95.. oh wait, that was with Noll’s QB (stir pot emoji)