Steelers laid an egg today. What happened to the “d”?

Tomlin's calling card was the secondary...who couldnt make a crucial stop in the 4th. Pickens fumble in redzone in 1st half turned out to be a killer. Muffed snap on final drive pretty inexcusable too. 

Steelers need a quarterback change. Sooner the better.

bigfoot
Steelers need a quarterback change. Sooner the better.

With how banged up their line is, I’d personally roll with Fields. He is far more mobile and showing he isn’t the long term answer. Their long term answer isn’t on the team. Let him take the punishment of the lack of pass protection. Give the backups on the line a few games to gel. Wilson isn’t 100%, so very likely not going to do much better with the line issues. In 2-3 weeks, hopefully the line is gelling a bit and Wilson is as close to 100% as possible. He is to the age where getting 17 games and maybe a playoff game is asking a lot. Asking him to close out 10 games and possibly a playoff game or two, is more realistic. The later part of the season is going to be rough. They’ll need a lot to fall in place for a playoff spot. Anyone else getting injured on the O line and they may need to pack it in for that high pick they need for a QB of the future. Pick 25 will most likely end up with another Kenny level player.

 I would sign Fields now to a longer contract.

crappiefisher
 I would sign Fields now to a longer contract.

Unless he is willing to take backup level money, with a bunch of incentives to make starter money. I’m pretty sure he wants starter level money and not worth it to me. Talking in a salary cap context, don’t really care how much any of them actually make. He is NOWHERE near worth 1/8 of their roster cap, which is what starter QB pay is. Some are 1/6 of their roster cap.

Only 4th start and Fields had made history by becoming the first player in franchise history to record 300 passing yards, 50 rushing yards and two touchdown runs, according to ESPN. All told, Fields threw for 312 yards and a touchdown on 22 of 34 passing.

Don’t know Chris, he just doesn’t look like a franchise guy to me. He doesn’t look horrible by any means. His first few games looked eerily similar to last year. Looks like a game manager. This past week, the whole team looked like hot garbage for first 3-4 drives. He looked good/okay for the rest of the game. It is hard to say with how bad the line situation is with injuries, how much is him. I think he is the guy for that line injury situation, but his play seems very similar to what was reported in Chicago. Good/okay, not really starter NFL caliber, at least pay/salary cap wise. But who knows. Top 5 pick means nothing. QB redraft ratings mean nothing. Kenny Pickett was rated higher by most ratings than Patrick Mahommes was. Fields as well. I believe Mitch Trubisky rated higher than any of them.

 Way to much talent plus his arm strength, Height 6′ 3″, Weight 227 lbs, 4:40 in the 40 is the 4th fastest ever for a quarterback. Only 2nd to Jackson in running since he came into the league. From what I have seen he is very accurate, loved by his teammates and only 25 yo. Kid had 4 different coordinators. Even all new teammates this season. I like what I see and he has so much talent.
 
 

NFL quarterbacks ranked oldest to youngest

1. Aaron Rodgers (40)
2. Kirk Cousins (36)
3. Matthew Stafford (36)
4. Russell Wilson (35) (Justin Fields: 25)
5. Derek Carr (33) (Spencer Rattler: 23)
6. Geno Smith (33)
7. Dak Prescott (31)
8. Jacoby Brissett (31) (Drake Maye: 22)
9. Baker Mayfield (29)
10. Jared Goff (29)
11. Gardner Minshew (28) (Aiden O’Connell: 26)
12. Josh Allen (28)
13. Deshaun Watson (28)
14. Patrick Mahomes (28)
15. Lamar Jackson (27)
16. Daniel Jones (27)
17. Sam Darnold (27) (J.J. McCarthy: 21)
18. Kyler Murray (27)
19. Joe Burrow (27)
20. Tua Tagovailoa (26)
21. Justin Herbert (26)
22. Jalen Hurts (26)
23. Will Levis (25)
24. Jordan Love (25)
25. Trevor Lawrence (24)
26. Brock Purdy (24)
27. Bo Nix (24)
28. Bryce Young (23)
29. Jayden Daniels (23)
30. C.J. Stroud (22)
31. Caleb Williams (22)
32. Anthony Richardson (22)

 

Can’t argue his measurables, that is why the Bears selected him so high.

Negotiating a contract with him midseason, isn’t going to happen, at least at this point. Maybe if he were to really explode. They seem to avoid that at all costs and deal with contracts in the off season. It is just too distracting. Both sides are always trying to get the best deal. Both initial offers are very likely going to be rejected and often perceived by some of the players as being insulting. When you have a guy that is playing relatively good, you can’t risk messing with his head like that. They traded for him with a pretty transparent expectation of this being a prove it year, if he could even play above Wilson. Remember, he was traded to the Steelers for almost nothing. So whatever you may think of those measureables and current play, there are years of “not top 10 NFL QB” film on the guy.