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Jim Kelly wanted to be traded to the Steelers

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by Blast Furnace, Mar 2, 2026 at 6:46 PM.

  1. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    After the USFL folded he tried to get the Bills to trade him to the Steelers or Raiders.

    Fun to think about the domino affect that may have had. Does Noll retire and we never see Cowher as a Steelers HC. Do they go on to win any more SB’s in the 90’s. The NFC was so dominant back then, not sure it would have made a difference.
     
    Blast Furnace, Mar 2, 2026 at 6:46 PM
    Blast Furnace, Mar 2, 2026 at 6:46 PM
    #1
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  2. thorn058

    thorn058 Well-Known Member

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    I think Kelly and Noll would have clashed more than a little. Kelly was already headstrong and that was before he got a taste of success, Chuck got less flexible near the end I think it might have accelerated the change. I think with Kelly under center Cowher makes at least 2 SB and wins those first few years. The supporting cast was there just lacked anything better than NOD.
     
    thorn058, Mar 2, 2026 at 8:40 PM
    thorn058, Mar 2, 2026 at 8:40 PM
    #2
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  3. 86WardsWay

    86WardsWay Well-Known Member

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    I really wish the Steelers would have grabbed Dan Marino way more than any interest, or lack there of in Jim Kelly.
     
    86WardsWay, Mar 2, 2026 at 9:58 PM
    86WardsWay, Mar 2, 2026 at 9:58 PM
    #3
    • Agree Agree x 2
  4. Steelhammer92

    Steelhammer92 Well-Known Member

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    The domino effect is endless.. if we had Marino or Kelly, maybe we win a super bowl or two back then, but never draft Ben and don't win any post 2000.. we'll never know.
     
    Steelhammer92, Mar 3, 2026 at 7:54 AM
    Steelhammer92, Mar 3, 2026 at 7:54 AM
    #4
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. CK 13

    CK 13 Well-Known Member

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    If "Go Bills Go" Marv Levy let Frank Reich finish the job maybe the Bills have a Lombardi
     
    CK 13, Mar 3, 2026 at 8:18 AM
    CK 13, Mar 3, 2026 at 8:18 AM
    #5
  6. 86WardsWay

    86WardsWay Well-Known Member

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    Dan Marino was drafted in 1983. Ben was 1 year old. I don’t think he was quite NFL ready just yet.
     
    86WardsWay, Mar 3, 2026 at 8:28 AM
    86WardsWay, Mar 3, 2026 at 8:28 AM
    #6
  7. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    could we still bring in kelly to compete with rodgers and marino and maybe montana. maybe bring back 17 of them and they could last one game each. :stogie::smiley1::cool:
     
    mac daddyo, Mar 3, 2026 at 10:34 AM
    mac daddyo, Mar 3, 2026 at 10:34 AM
    #7
    • Winner Winner x 1
  8. Formerscribe

    Formerscribe Well-Known Member

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    Having Kelly would have dramatically changed the teams path. Perhaps they win more and Noll stays longer. Perhaps he and Kelly clash too much, and he leaves earlier. If either of those things happen, there is a good chance the Steelers don't have Cowher as an option to be Noll's replacement.
     
    Formerscribe, Mar 3, 2026 at 10:52 AM
    Formerscribe, Mar 3, 2026 at 10:52 AM
    #8
  9. Born2Steel

    Born2Steel Well-Known Member

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    We probably would have won in '95.
     
    Born2Steel, Mar 3, 2026 at 10:58 AM
    Born2Steel, Mar 3, 2026 at 10:58 AM
    #9
  10. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    Kelly retired well before Ben so I’m not sure that would have changed but its possible the team would have been put on a different path where they dont have the same losing season that year and dont draft high enough to select him.
     
    Blast Furnace, Mar 3, 2026 at 11:15 AM
    Blast Furnace, Mar 3, 2026 at 11:15 AM
    #10
  11. forgotten1

    forgotten1 Well-Known Member

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    and 94 97 98 2001
    fkn "cower" sheesh
     
    forgotten1, Mar 3, 2026 at 12:33 PM
    forgotten1, Mar 3, 2026 at 12:33 PM
    #11
  12. Born2Steel

    Born2Steel Well-Known Member

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    I was mentally cussing #14. He who shall not be named.
     
    Born2Steel, Mar 3, 2026 at 1:17 PM
    Born2Steel, Mar 3, 2026 at 1:17 PM
    #12
    • Hilarious Hilarious x 1
  13. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    They tried getting him in 1995, or 96, I can't remember which year, and it almost happened, but he decided not to comeback, and play, and I believe we then lost to NE in the playoffs with Tomzack
     
    S.T.D, Mar 3, 2026 at 2:42 PM
    S.T.D, Mar 3, 2026 at 2:42 PM
    #13
  14. MojaveDesertPghFan

    MojaveDesertPghFan Set the controls for the heart of the Sun.

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    Speaking of Pitt QBs: Marino > Pickett? :shrug: LOL.
     
    MojaveDesertPghFan, Mar 3, 2026 at 3:20 PM
    MojaveDesertPghFan, Mar 3, 2026 at 3:20 PM
    #14

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