Reality: Salary Cap and making decisions

[steeler_george]

I wonder, we keep labeling McDonald as a cap cut, but could be in line for an extension. More years, more bonus, and more gauarantees than actual cap count. Instead of getting payed 7 M next year would 2 M against the cap sound fair?

If you remember from my other posts. I always wanted him gone or at least not as the #1 TE..

Speaking of number 2 TE..didn't Gimble get paid that much last year?

[Ernie]

Looking at "Realty": Its not feasible financially to keep all of these pieces in place.. Hopefully we can minimize the losses and still keep a top 10-12 defense. Its been said a million times... but the hot QB on the rookie deal is the way to win SBs. Weve got so much $$$ tied up in a guy that we dont even know if hes coming back. Its killing us.

[SteelerMaine83]

Looking at "Realty": Its not feasible financially to keep all of these pieces in place.. Hopefully we can minimize the losses and still keep a top 10-12 defense. Its been said a million times... but the hot QB on the rookie deal is the way to win SBs. Weve got so much $$$ tied up in a guy that we dont even know if hes coming back. Its killing us.

Yep, that’s the point of my post. We will have to pick and choose and make tough decisions for this year and the future.

And yes, that’s the conundrum with veteran starting QBs—you have to pay them a ton and they force you to make tough decisions. Perhaps you will see a trend in the league in the future of teams drafting QBs , keeping the player for the rookie contract, then dumping them (regardless of production) if they don’t see that QB taking them to the big game. Guess we’ll see.

My point is also that football is a business, and hard decisions do need to be made.

[pittpete]

Ernie Ben is coming back
Hes a competitor and still wants to win another SB
He also isnt turning down all that money

[Ernie]

Ernie Ben is coming back
Hes a competitor and still wants to win another SB
He also isnt turning down all that money

im sure he wants to...and noone is denying that hes a competitor.. unfortunately.. "Father time" catches up to all of us eventually... even the GOAT Tom Brady is fading... and age 38+ isnt exactly the time to catch a potentially career ending injury (see Bradshaw).

Even if Ben comes back, about the most we can expect is for him "Not to lose games".. we will put our eggs in the "Stout defense/Running game" basket (as we should)... and tying up 35 million in a guy to be a game manager at this point is just not good business.
It was foolish to extend him PRIOR to this past season for obvious reasons.. and we are paying for the gamble.
You are right though.. he isnt going anywhere unless the Drs tell him hes done. Too much $$$ to be leaving on the table.

[Steel Maniac]

im sure he wants to...and noone is denying that hes a competitor.. unfortunately.. "Father time" catches up to all of us eventually... even the GOAT Tom Brady is fading... and age 38+ isnt exactly the time to catch a potentially career ending injury (see Bradshaw).

Even if Ben comes back, about the most we can expect is for him "Not to lose games".. we will put our eggs in the "Stout defense/Running game" basket (as we should)... and tying up 35 million in a guy to be a game manager at this point is just not good business.
It was foolish to extend him PRIOR to this past season for obvious reasons.. and we are paying for the gamble.
You are right though.. he isnt going anywhere unless the Drs tell him hes done. Too much $$$ to be leaving on the table.

I agree with this. I think a lot of steeler fans are going to be disappointed in the Ben that comes back. I think expectations are going to be too high. I love Ben but it's time to really start looking for our future franchise QB.

[feltdizz]

I agree with this. I think a lot of steeler fans are going to be disappointed in the Ben that comes back. I think expectations are going to be too high for him. I love Ben but it's time to really start looking for our future franchise QB.

I don’t think now is the time. I think we did the right thing drafting Mason when Ben said “retirement” after the AFCCG loss.

The reality is we aren’t going to be in a position to get a franchise QB until we have a really bad season and I don’t think some people could handle a 4-12 type year without losing their minds.

[NorthCoast]

I don’t think now is the time. I think we did the right thing drafting Mason when Ben said “retirement” after the AFCCG loss.

The reality is we aren’t going to be in a position to get a franchise QB until we have a really bad season and I don’t think some people could handle a 4-12 type year without losing their minds.

^^100%^^.... get ready for a few years of Bubbyball.

[phillyesq]

Question.

Where is the savings from AB's contract? Can you explain whats going on with all of that? I thought 20 million came off the books this year.

AB's contract was on the books this year. It isn't next year. But other players are getting raises or have back loaded deals.

[Steel Maniac]

^^100%^^.... get ready for a few years of Bubbyball.

Doesn't have to be if Colbert gets creative and goes all in for a franchise QB in the 2021 (or Beyond) draft. Look at what the Rams gave up to move up to get Geoff?

[NorthCoast]

Doesn't have to be if Colbert gets creative and goes all in for a franchise QB in the 2021 (or Beyond) draft. Look at what the Rams gave up to move up to get Geoff?

And was it worth it? Football outsiders has him as the 15th ranked QB.... and that's with a Gurley as RB.
I'm not against trying for a franchise QB, but I am against paying a king's ransom to trade up and get one.

[Steel Maniac]

And was it worth it? Football outsiders has him as the 15th ranked QB.... and that's with a Gurley as RB.
I'm not against trying for a franchise QB, but I am against paying a king's ransom to trade up and get one.

But who said that who we move up for would be like Geoff? Give Colbert more credit then that. I"m not opposed to paying a king's ransom; I trust Colbert that the guy he thinks is worth it isn't a stiff like Geoff. And even with Geoff, they revitalized the offense with him and a running game.

We've sat here for years and said that, " if you don't have a franchise QB, you don't have a realistic shot at winning anything." And we were able to say that because we had Ben. The rules don't change just because Ben is on the decline. If we want to do anything in the future or near future, we need a franchise QB.

Why go through the next decade just spinning our wheels?

[Mick'sTeam]

But who said that who we move up for would be like Geoff? Give Colbert more credit then that. I"m not opposed to paying a king's ransom; I trust Colbert that the guy he thinks is worth it isn't a stiff like Geoff. And even with Geoff, they revitalized the offense with him and a running game.

We've sat here for years and said that, " if you don't have a franchise QB, you don't have a realistic shot at winning anything." And we were able to say that because we had Ben. The rules don't change just because Ben is on the decline. If we want to do anything in the future or near future, we need a franchise QB.

Why go through the next decade just spinning our wheels?

I agree with this. Why does the idea of moving up to get a QB only get associated with QB's like Goff? Why not envision it being for someone like Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson, or something like that? The example can't just be for first round QB's that may not live up to the draft position. We're going to need a QB. It's not happening this year, but it needs to happen sooner rather than later.

[feltdizz]

Doesn't have to be if Colbert gets creative and goes all in for a franchise QB in the 2021 (or Beyond) draft. Look at what the Rams gave up to move up to get Geoff?

Geoff didn’t look good this year.

I don’t think he is anything special.

[feltdizz]

I agree with this. Why does the idea of moving up to get a QB only get associated with QB's like Goff? Why not envision it being for someone like Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson, or something like that? The example can't just be for first round QB's that may not live up to the draft position. We're going to need a QB. It's not happening this year, but it needs to happen sooner rather than later.

I think there will always be a Lamar Jackson/Watson(ish) QB’s available at the end of the first round but you have to bet on the right one or you end up with a Mariotta.

Next thing is you have to find an OC who is going to play to his strengths and not try to turn him into a pocket passer.

UVA has a dual threat QB who was damn near the whole offense. Bryce Perkins. He will probably be a day 3 pick.