Fields to NYJ

[MT~Forged]

They were going to be in QB purgatory even if they signed Fields. They don't want to punt on the season, which is why they are focused on Rodgers/Wilson right now. Neither is a great option, but the rest are awful options...which isn't exactly bad if they want to go into next year hoping to draft a QB.

Not in purgatory with Fields as projected QB1, but still not in a comfortable position.

 

[MT~Forged]

Not in the true sense of an established game-changing QB, no, but that's why Justin Fields would have made the most sense. I know that many don't share the same opinion, but I think Fields had/has the potential to be a very good quarterback. His rushing ability sets him apart. I would have liked to have seen what he could have done with the congruity of operating under the same offensive coordinator for a second season. That's never happened for him before, and obviously, it won't again this year with the Jets.

To me, it's a shame that the Steelers couldn't find an extra $10 million over two years to solidify the most important position on the team.

I happen to agree with you, though probably for different reasons.

 

[MT~Forged]

I would disagree. I would say that re-signing Elandon Roberts for $3 million, and giving that extra $10 million over two years to Fields instead of Malik Harrison would have been a much better value.

On paper I would agree with you. I HOPE there is a reason that this choice was made.

 

[MT~Forged]

They could have taken up the option for Fields 5th year and then traded him to Seattle for DK. Maybe they'd have added a pick to sweeten, but then we'd still have the 2nd and be down a 4th/5th.....for no cash.

Or we could have a starting QB this year on his second year with the same OC

They had to pick up Fields 5th year option LAST YEAR within days of trading for him. At that point in time there was nothing to make them think it was worth the money. Today it proved to be a good FINANCIAL decision as he signed for less money than the option would have cost.

I believe the "Not working new contracts during the year" is an incorrect stance. Just maybe they could have worked something out with Fields if they hadn't waited till the season was over.

 

[MT~Forged]

Having top talent at qb is not a value for Tomlin.

I don't think it is not a value for him, I just think he can't evaluate QB talent at all. He was GIVEN Ben, he had nothing to do with that, except when he started restricting him in the later years.

 

[madinsomniac]

We get a 6th for Naj

We wont know any of that until the season is over... the formula includes snap counts and awards with the new team as well as the final overall ranking of their contract.. and thats before they cancel out our free agent acquisitions... we may get a comp pick for him, we may not...

 

[madinsomniac]

They had to pick up Fields 5th year option LAST YEAR within days of trading for him. At that point in time there was nothing to make them think it was worth the money. Today it proved to be a good FINANCIAL decision as he signed for less money than the option would have cost.

I believe the "Not working new contracts during the year" is an incorrect stance. Just maybe they could have worked something out with Fields if they hadn't waited till the season was over.

You know, outside of the Pro Fields media, I never once got the idea that he really was remotely who they wanted... i think they gave him a lowball offer knowing he most likely would leave...

 

[MT~Forged]

You know, outside of the Pro Fields media, I never once got the idea that he really was remotely who they wanted... i think they gave him a lowball offer knowing he most likely would leave...

I look at as a purely business decision. The number they offered they could live with if he didn't work out, though it would be too high for a backup QB.

Last year the top pay for non-rookie B/U QB's was $6 Million. I would expect that this year it goes up a bit, but nowhere near $15 Million. I don't know all the details but I would have offered $8-10 Million a year with EASY incentives that would allowed him to make up to $30 Million if he became QB1 and put up good numbers. If he does play well in NY, he will lose money from what I would have paid him. I would have also put an escalator in pay for 26 based on his 25 performance. Thing is in todays NFL you have to pay in hopes you get something instead of earning that pay.

 

[jitter77]

I think if Fields wanted to be here he would. He was probably a little salty for being benched and could make more in NY. I think if he said I love pittsburgh and want to be here they could have worked something out. I also do not get all the excuse making for Fields while Pickett constantly gets bashed. Fields has 100 different OCs, bad organization, bad coaching etc etc.......Pickett was not on a great team and had maybe the worst OC in the NFL along w/ Tomlin's no audible dont throw over the middle attitude. He has also not been in the league as long as Fields. Fields does have elite running skills, but that is about it. Not saying Kenny is a HOF QB, but he was not given a real chance while Fields has already been given multiple chances. I would have been fine rolling w/ Fields this coming season, but I just dont know why fans are fine throwing 20 mil at Fields and laughing at Kenny being kicked to the curb.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Not in purgatory with Fields as projected QB1, but still not in a comfortable position.

Fields was mostly like a 1-2 year stopgap who we wanted to be good. It wasn't realistic that he was going to be a guy who could take the Steelers on a deep run. He still would've had us in purgatory and needing a QB next year.

 

[insaniti]

Fields was mostly like a 1-2 year stopgap who we wanted to be good. It wasn't realistic that he was going to be a guy who could take the Steelers on a deep run. He still would've had us in purgatory and needing a QB next year.

That's precisely why I wanted Fields, a massive boom or bust prospect. He puts it together, and with his running ability becomes a nightmare to defend (like Jackson is for most of the league), or he ***** the bed and we not only have a losing season, but a premier draft pick. Alas, it was too much to hope for, we're only concerned about keeping the non losing season streak alive...

 

[Confluence]

They had to pick up Fields 5th year option LAST YEAR within days of trading for him. At that point in time there was nothing to make them think it was worth the money. Today it proved to be a good FINANCIAL decision as he signed for less money than the option would have cost.

I believe the "Not working new contracts during the year" is an incorrect stance. Just maybe they could have worked something out with Fields if they hadn't waited till the season was over.

Disagree.
The financial cost includes more than cash: it includes the opportunity cost of both 1) the Steelers not having a starting QB for 2025 at this point, and 2) the trade value that Fields had in the eyes of a team like the Jets.

 

[MT~Forged]

Disagree.

I can accept this

The financial cost includes more than cash: it includes the opportunity cost of both

True

1) the Steelers not having a starting QB for 2025 at this point

The Steelers will have a starting QB when the season starts, though likely not who they really want but who they can get to sign on the dotted line

2) the trade value that Fields had in the eyes of a team like the Jets.

Fields had absolutely ZERO trade value to the Jets, as he was not under contract to do that. Why spend the time and energy to sign Fields then immediately look to trade him? They would be in the same exact position they are in now. It would amount to buying draft picks, and I'm not sure that would even be allowed. If they were going to do something like that it would have made more sense to sign Myles Garrett and then look to trade him. He would have considerably more value.

 

[SteelerFan448]

That's precisely why I wanted Fields, a massive boom or bust prospect. He puts it together, and with his running ability becomes a nightmare to defend (like Jackson is for most of the league), or he ***** the bed and we not only have a losing season, but a premier draft pick. Alas, it was too much to hope for, we're only concerned about keeping the non losing season streak alive...

When it came down to it, I wanted the cheaper of Fields/Wilson. It would make zero sense for the Steelers to go out and pay Rodgers more than what Fields is getting from the Jets.