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If Ben retires

I don't see us breaking the bank for a free agent. There really isn't anyone worth $20 million a year, not even Cousins. They have Jones and Dobbs. My guess is they will draft the best they can get this coming year and take the beatings. If you sign Cousins, you basically have to gut the team and you won't be a winner anyhow. They'll get Ben's replacement from the draft.
 
I don't see us breaking the bank for a free agent. There really isn't anyone worth $20 million a year, not even Cousins. They have Jones and Dobbs. My guess is they will draft the best they can get this coming year and take the beatings. If you sign Cousins, you basically have to gut the team and you won't be a winner anyhow. They'll get Ben's replacement from the draft.

Whoever drafts Cousins is going to be stuck with him for 5 years, so there would be no point in drafting a qb. I could live with Cousins at a second tier qb salary, but not at the franchise qb salary he's gonna command.
 
Not sure what they think they have in Dobbs, nor if they'd consider making big splash FA signing ie Cousins, but I do know the Steelers generally turn to the draft to build their squad. It's not that big of a stretch to draft a starting-caliber replacement, either lower down in the first or simply striking gold in later rounds. Key is proper scouting and getting a bit lucky I guess, but there is QB talent available even lower down the board.

A few recent examples:

2016 Rnd 4 Pick 135 Dak Prescott
2014 Rnd 1 Pick 32 Teddy Bridgewater
2014 Rnd 2 Pick 36 Derek Carr
2014 Rnd 2 Pick 62 Jimmy Garoppolo
2012 Rnd 3 Pick 75 Russell Wilson
2012 Rnd 4 Pick 102 Kirk Cousins
2011 Rnd 2 Pick 35 Andy Dalton
2011 Rnd 6 Pick 180 Tyrod Taylor

Just saying it's not impossible to find a starting caliber QB even if you're not picking in the top half of round one.
 
I suspect they will bring in a vet to compete with Landry, someone like a Keenum, maybe Bradford, but make the first round pick be a QB. Could see them moving up in the first round as far as they possibly can to pick their guy.

They won’t and shouldn’t try and sign an average QB like Cousins.


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In my opinion... there is NO WAY that Ben retires after this year. His current contract goes thru 2019. If he were to retire... he would have to repay MILLIONS in already paid bonuses that are factored into the 5 year deal. There is ZERO chance that this happens. BB will be our QB until at least the end of the 2019 season.

.
 
In my opinion... there is NO WAY that Ben retires after this year. His current contract goes thru 2019. If he were to retire... he would have to repay MILLIONS in already paid bonuses that are factored into the 5 year deal. There is ZERO chance that this happens. BB will be our QB until at least the end of the 2019 season.

Hmmm, that's an interesting take. I wouldn't be so sure. He and the Rooneys may already have something in place if and when Ben felt it was time to step aside. After the career he's had, and the money he's made, I doubt that would be a consideration at this stage. Imo if he feels it's time, he'll step away, regardless of his contract situation. On the other hand, the manner in which the rest of this season plays out is a much bigger factor. Another deep run in the playoffs, but coming up short (again) may be motivation for him to get back on the horse. If things go south and his play falters, he may feel he gave it everything he had and decide to hang 'em up. If we reach our ultimate goal and win one for Mr. Rooney this year, that too may be a trigger to go out on top. So many scenarios to consider, not to speak of his health and physical well being. I may be wrong, but I doubt his contract status or money is high on the list.
 
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I'm saying Ben retires after getting #7 for the franchise.
He's slowly on the decline, he is giving his last hurrah imo.

Enjoy him on the team while we can. Ben's given the Steelers their best years.
Toughest QB ever.
 
Fools

Ben is at the top of his game and is healthier than ever, he has much more in the tank - wait till the playoffs, you'll see

I predict Ben will play 5 more years, win at least two more Lombardis and outlasting even Brady.
 
Baker Mayfield

Strong enough arm for all the throws?

There is some things to like there. Competitive, a scrambler but scrambles to run not throw. Little short, like Drew Brees short. Not sure he has that type of arm though.

Lot of interesting QB prospects in this upcoming draft. I think it is a good year to pluck one in 1 or round 2.
 
I think Luke Falk will be available at 32. 6’4” 225lbs and has a big arm.

With some time learning the offense and development he could be a true NFL QB.


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In my opinion... there is NO WAY that Ben retires after this year. His current contract goes thru 2019. If he were to retire... he would have to repay MILLIONS in already paid bonuses that are factored into the 5 year deal. There is ZERO chance that this happens. BB will be our QB until at least the end of the 2019 season.

.

i would be absolutely stunned if he stayed that long. not a chance IMO
 
Fools

Ben is at the top of his game and is healthier than ever, he has much more in the tank - wait till the playoffs, you'll see

I predict Ben will play 5 more years, win at least two more Lombardis and outlasting even Brady.

back to your bourbon, old man
 
#1 option. Keep Big Ben

#2 option Curt Cousins

#3 option Drew Brees
 
Should of went after Blake Bortels in the off-season when his value was low...

I kept tellin yinz!!



You mean his value has risen?????????





Salute the nation
 
i don't want Cousins. If he was that good, the redskins would have signed him already. He eats up bad defenses but has not been great when it counts. I'm not paying big money for just "pretty good". That's how the ravens got in trouble when they paid Flacco like he's more than what he is.

I know it's all but accepted that any QB with a pulse gets $100 Mil but it doesn't mean it's smart.

No to Paxton Lynch. This guy is a first rounder and he can't beat out Brock Osweiler. No thanks.

Sam Bradford - no way. This guy is a China Doll

Tyrod Taylor - i would be interested in Taylor if he came at the right price. I'm not sold he's great but i think he'd be pretty good with the steelers weapons and might be a good placeholder until they found the next franchise QB. He could be the new Tommy Maddox.

Christian Hackenberg - i know he's polarizing and even half of PSU fans think he stinks but he could probably be brought in for almost nothing. This only played 1 season on college or NFL where he had decent protection and somebody to throw to and that was his freshman year where he looked really good.

He has so much upside, he'd be a great developmental prospect. The Jets are crazy for not finding out iof he can play this year, and No, a few quarters of preseason and splitting snaps in camp is not enough to know if somebody can play.

Look at Jared Goff. Last year he looked like an epic bust. One of the worst statistical seasons for a QB ever. This year he has a better coach and people to throw to and he looks like he may be a future star. It's hard to judge a QB in a bad situation.

Josh Dobbs - i just don't see him as more than a career backup, a replacement for Landry Jones. Won't surprise me if he has a short playing career then starts coaching.


So if Ben was gone next year. I think you bring back Landry and Dobbs. You try to get Tyrod Taylor if he's not asking for too much. I think maybe $12 Million is the max i would offer. If you can get him for less, i'd grab him.

Best Scenario
Sign Tyrod
Draft a QB with a high pick
 
Best Scenario
Sign Tyrod

Hol-ee-****, that cannot possibly be the "best case scenario," tape!! Damn, the Steelers are better off seeing what Kordell is up to these days.

Unless signing Tie-Rod involves moving up in the draft the following season ...
 
i don't want Cousins. If he was that good, the redskins would have signed him already. He eats up bad defenses but has not been great when it counts. I'm not paying big money for just "pretty good". That's how the ravens got in trouble when they paid Flacco like he's more than what he is.

I know it's all but accepted that any QB with a pulse gets $100 Mil but it doesn't mean it's smart.

No to Paxton Lynch. This guy is a first rounder and he can't beat out Brock Osweiler. No thanks.

Sam Bradford - no way. This guy is a China Doll

Tyrod Taylor - i would be interested in Taylor if he came at the right price. I'm not sold he's great but i think he'd be pretty good with the steelers weapons and might be a good placeholder until they found the next franchise QB. He could be the new Tommy Maddox.

Christian Hackenberg - i know he's polarizing and even half of PSU fans think he stinks but he could probably be brought in for almost nothing. This only played 1 season on college or NFL where he had decent protection and somebody to throw to and that was his freshman year where he looked really good.

He has so much upside, he'd be a great developmental prospect. The Jets are crazy for not finding out iof he can play this year, and No, a few quarters of preseason and splitting snaps in camp is not enough to know if somebody can play.

Look at Jared Goff. Last year he looked like an epic bust. One of the worst statistical seasons for a QB ever. This year he has a better coach and people to throw to and he looks like he may be a future star. It's hard to judge a QB in a bad situation.

Josh Dobbs - i just don't see him as more than a career backup, a replacement for Landry Jones. Won't surprise me if he has a short playing career then starts coaching.


So if Ben was gone next year. I think you bring back Landry and Dobbs. You try to get Tyrod Taylor if he's not asking for too much. I think maybe $12 Million is the max i would offer. If you can get him for less, i'd grab him.

Best Scenario
Sign Tyrod
Draft a QB with a high pick

Agree with this, except for hackenberg, who is barely even practice squad quality
 
I think Ben plays at least 1 more year, so this likely gets delayed. I could see the Chiefs releasing Alex Smith to start the Mahomes era,
Smith has made his money so he likely would sign reasonable to win a championship, prove Chiefs wrong. He doesn't make big
mistakes, completes high percentage of passes, could fit well with Steelers personnel. I like him as a transition guy to a younger QB.
 
Ben will not retire at the end of this season. If he does retire at the end of the year I'd take a chance on Andrew Luck! Someone is going to land the kid at a rock bottom price because of the health risk but I'm telling you now his career is far from over!
 
Rumors are Cousins is going to the Niners.
When Ben retires Pouncey and perhaps Foster are going to hold the door then leave with him. Never really thought about it but without #7 the Offense will likely have to be re invented.
 
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