Steelers Not Extending James Daniels

[Prowler]

Daniels is nothing special. He's just any average talent. Sign another guard for cheaper or develop one of our young OL to replace him. I agree with management in this case.

[Northern_Blitz]

I was hoping we'd get an extension with him.

He's good and still young. And while I like that we've upgraded the line, I don't want to have to spend top two picks there every year.

[feltdizz]

I was hoping we'd get an extension with him.

He's good and still young. And while I like that we've upgraded the line, I don't want to have to spend top two picks there every year.

and you want some cohesion on the OL
instead of having to break in a player or 2 every year.

[WindyCitySteel]

and you want some cohesion on the OL
instead of having to break in a player or 2 every year.

Replacing an average IOL next year with a draft pick this year doesn't seem like a huge shakeup.

[feltdizz]

Replacing an average IOL next year with a draft pick this year doesn't seem like a huge shakeup.

it never does.. yet we all know an OL playing together for a few years is the best way to get a cohesive OL.

When you are replacing OL every year and moving them around its always “next year” or 9 games into the season before they figure things out.

We also don’t know if the new guy will be average, better or worse.

[WindyCitySteel]

it never does.. yet we all know an OL playing together for a few years is the best way to get a cohesive OL.

When you are replacing OL every year and moving them around its always “next year” or 9 games into the season before they figure things out.

We also don’t know if the new guy will be average, better or worse.

What team has the same five OL starters for 3+ years? Is that a thing? Our line was good these years, never the same 5 two years in a row:

2018: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Feiler
2017: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Hubbard
2016: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Gilbert
2015: Villy, Foster, Wallace, DD, Gilbert
2014: Beachum, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Gilbert

From '72 to '79 they had 8 different line combos in 8 seasons. Did pretty well. Coaching matters.

[Northern_Blitz]

What team has the same five OL starters for 3+ years? Is that a thing? Our line was good these years, never the same 5 two years in a row:

2018: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Feiler
2017: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Hubbard
2016: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Gilbert
2015: Villy, Foster, Wallace, DD, Gilbert
2014: Beachum, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Gilbert

From '72 to '79 they had 8 different line combos in 8 seasons. Did pretty well. Coaching matters.

I think the issue is the same thing with trading DJ for magic beans.

Of course we want to get better at G (or WR).

But there's an opportunity cost.

Daniels is a pretty good player. Not elite, but pretty good. If he wants to get paid like an elite G, I get not wanting to do that. I assume that this is the case.

IS will turn 30 this season. His contract is up after the 2025 season.

So, we'll have to replace Daniels next year. Hopefully we can do it with McCormick. It's probably a downgrade, but at least cheaper. If we want an upgrade, it probably means another pick in the first 3 rounds. Which means we either have to forgo another need. Like how we didn't draft a DL or CB this year. Or didn't draft a high value OL forever before the last couple season.

A GM is a juggler. I think to be successful, he has to keep all the balls in the air instead of just focusing on one. It also pays to get lucky with late round picks / UDFAs. Part of the reason we hadn't drafted a T in so long is because we picked up AV for nothing.

[Northern_Blitz]

...
So, we'll have to replace Daniels next year. Hopefully we can do it with McCormick. It's probably a downgrade, but at least cheaper. If we want an upgrade, it probably means another pick in the first 3 rounds. Which means we either have to forgo another need. Like how we didn't draft a DL or CB this year. Or didn't draft a high value OL forever before the last couple season.
....

So if the price was reasonable*, I'd rather keep Daniels and plan to replace IS after 2025. Then, we can focus on drafting other positions and use cap space to retain the OL who we all hope will be good because of their pedigree.

* The fact that it has "leaked" that they aren't going to extend him suggests to me that he was not interested in a deal at a reasonable price.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

What team has the same five OL starters for 3+ years? Is that a thing? Our line was good these years, never the same 5 two years in a row:

2018: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Feiler
2017: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Hubbard
2016: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Gilbert
2015: Villy, Foster, Wallace, DD, Gilbert
2014: Beachum, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Gilbert

From '72 to '79 they had 8 different line combos in 8 seasons. Did pretty well. Coaching matters.

Well we have Tomlin so ...

[Captain Lemming]

Well we have Tomlin so ...

We don’t need 11 hall of famers to win a SB?

[feltdizz]

What team has the same five OL starters for 3+ years? Is that a thing? Our line was good these years, never the same 5 two years in a row:

2018: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Feiler
2017: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Hubbard
2016: Villy, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Gilbert
2015: Villy, Foster, Wallace, DD, Gilbert
2014: Beachum, Foster, Pouncey, DD, Gilbert

From '72 to '79 they had 8 different line combos in 8 seasons. Did pretty well. Coaching matters.

That?s a very consistent OL for those years.

Pretty sure Pouncey missed a year due to injury. Having the same LT, Guard, Center, Guard for 3 years and the same Guards and Center all 5 years (minus Pouncey to injury one year) is exactly what we need.

and I?m not saying we shouldn?t draft OT?s in the first round or not improve Center. I?m saying if Daniels is as solid as folks are saying maybe try to keep him even if it cost us some money. We have OT?s and a Center on rookie deals. Its not like we are cash strapped on the OL.

[WindyCitySteel]

That?s a very consistent OL for those years.

Pretty sure Pouncey missed a year due to injury. Having the same LT, Guard, Center, Guard for 3 years and the same Guards and Center all 5 years (minus Pouncey to injury one year) is exactly what we need.

and I?m not saying we shouldn?t draft OT?s in the first round or not improve Center. I?m saying if Daniels is as solid as folks are saying maybe try to keep him even if it cost us some money. We have OT?s and a Center on rookie deals. Its not like we are cash strapped on the OL.

Go look at the 70's lines, all kind of changes year in and year out.

[feltdizz]

Go look at the 70's lines, all kind of changes year in and year out.

that was 50 years ago.

[Iron City Inc.]

If Daniels is looking for the big pay day that could spell his departure at year end. And it would not be such a long shot if that is the case that JD gets moved in the pre-season if a rook or two step to the plate. Rookies playing well and all staying healthy I could see Daniels being moved by Khan. Vol's not hostages. And not just a youth movement but keeping salary # healthy in case we have the opportunity to sign someone special.
What type of ROI could we expect for Daniels? Not a day 1 or day 2 selection. Mid rounder early day 3 imho is as good as we could expect.

[Captain Lemming]

that was 50 years ago.

He best not bring up the Noll years when you are telling me THE LEAGUE HAS CHANGED since 2020.