Thoughts on Mason?

That's the thing. If we get the Mason we saw these past 4 games... then yes, it is good enough to win. It will be hard to go far in the playoffs without some really good scheming/game-planning (hopefully we are getting this from a new OC and possibly HC) and some good defensive ball.

I'd be all for a Mason season with a focus in the draft on C, CB, S, ILB. Its certainly the safe move for sure.

The thing with Fields is that we would be banking on him being better on a team with a better line/running attack/weapons than he has had in the past. His current iteration would be good enough for us to win, but it gives the potential to have a "Hurts-like" QB that could actually give us "the guy" for the future. Its definitely a risk since we would have to kinda sell out for that kind of offense, and if it backfires, then we would be setting ourselves back a bit. This route has a lower floor than the Mason route, but a higher ceiling. I'd also be fine if we tried this... Just have to get the right OC to lead the charge.

 

Our D keeps folding in the playoffs, injuries notwithstanding!!

 

The throw was there DJ has to comeback hard towards the ball & force the defender to go through him to get to it... It was not an out route at that location & should've just hammered 3 runs with najee there to get in the endzone anyways...

 

I agree with this. We HAVE seen enough of Pickett. 24 starts is a lot in the league. Most guys don't get that much of a shot, and its especially shocking when you factor in how bad Pickett has been during those games. The way the team (and offense) responded to NFL caliber QB play just shows that we really can't go back to Pickett. It would feel like a HUGE step back and really put us in a position to mentally lose our high end talent at the WR position for parts of the season again. Funny that Pickens wasn't an issue once he finally saw a few balls. Even took a 0 target game like a champ because he was so involved in the offense otherwise.

I'm probably not sold that Mason can develop into a Cousins type (Cousins is/was pretty darn good), but I do think he brings a lot more to the table than Pickett and probably needs to be the guy from the get go next season. The proof is on the field. I don't expect us to hire a new OC and Pickett to magically not suck. I think the new OC can get more out of Pickett if they are good.... but Pickett will still have trouble with accuracy, vision, pocket awareness, etc. All while being about as fragile as it gets to start his career. He's been knocked out of 6 of his 24 starts.

 

That's how I feel. And then let Kenny come in after a couple years.

 

Agreed. I want to see more of Mason.
Agree with Kenny is injury prone.

Lastly Kenny needs to sit a couple years like Mason.

 

mason sucks, we just lost development time with pickett

 

Give mason the qb1 and a good size pay boost and to help him decide to take it make tomlin apologise for treating Mason so poorly. tomlin can do that as he leaves the Burg ,retired ,fired just leave.

 

Steelers have to make an option decision on Pickett by very early May 2025 [edit: fat fingers, old eyes, small phone screen].

 

He was fine. Definitely not the biggest problem. I’d be ok bringing him back and having him compete for the job. Give him what Mitch was making or a bit more.

Pickett has really shown nothing. I definitely wouldn’t want to go in with Pickett anointed as QB1.

 

I agree that he's had enough starts. I bet we'll have to stomach another year of mediocre happy feet ken wasting yet another tj watt year. Least there won't be excuses after 2 glove doesn't play well next year. If he went to a diff college ppl wouldn't be blinded thinking he has any hope.

 

I think you are in the ball park where his contract might be, it really depends on the market and how 2nd QB's are evaluated. This year there were a huge amount of different QB's starting for different teams, so the importance of that positioned has likely risen. IDK the entire range of BU salaries last year, but 3-5 million with possible incentive/bonus if he starts more than a certain number of games.

 

Mason is a good guy, I don't want to trash him.
But facts are facts, he is not a starter.

The GM has this in the QB room (a glaring shortcoming)
- Mason Rudolph: He's not the answer. He can play within his framework of skills but that's it. His contract expires and the Steelers have to decide if they decide to keep and pay him as a #2 guy. They most likely will let him walk.
- Mitch Trubisky: Not even a consideration. He is one of the first cuts.
- Kenny Pickett: Under contract and the young guy. The Steelers will have to use training camp to decide if he's the #1 or the #2 guy.

With just 1 QB (or even 2 with Mason's option) and a new OC forthcoming, they are going to have to do something regarding the QB position.
They really aren't in the ideal position to wheel and deal in the draft.
Tyrod Talor or Jacoby Brissett are better options than Mason. Do they go that route?
That's why they get the big money.

 

I am far from an expert but I don't see what some see in Pickett. I thought the Dan Marino BS got into their heads and they didn't want another mistake with a Pitt QB. I don't follow NCAA but a few guys I know that are bigtime into College players and the draft said these kind words to me when we drafted Pickett, "you won't live long enough to see #7 with that pick".

 

We’ve seen what Mason can do coming off the bench with basically no reps. Give him a full offseason and imagine the strides he’d take.

 

They need to sign Mason and keep him moving forward. Yes a lot of those plays looked like Canada was back. This Bills had great coverage and our O line could not handle them.

 

yep - I could write and say a lot, I already have - but yes. do this.

 

Well yes Pickett might have put up some bad numbers in over 20 games but did so in an offensive system that half the time had no rhyme or reason to it. I remember some games when Mason was the number 2 where he looked pretty bad as well. That’s why we ended up with Mitch. As for Pickens being fed up with him, Pickens would be fed up with any QB who didn’t throw him the ball every down. I don’t think Pickett should just be anointed the starter next year but a couple of good games doesn’t make Rudolph the next franchise QB either. If Rudolph stays I say let’m battle it out in camp and the preseason games and may the best man start.

 

Mason was pressured over 40 percent. That's high. Cole was horrible. Jones was gassed from long rookie season. Bills stacked the box.

The failure beyond the turnovers was the game plan. They continued to run right into the overloaded line. 6 can't block 8.

Need a good dang OC. The play calling and planning is so bad.

 

It would be nice to sign him and then he can compete for the starting job

But in reality he at best is a #2 quarterback and if he does win the competition then we are stuck with starting a #2 quarterback and the mediocre at best results that will come with it

 

Yes

DJ was just waiting for the ball to land in his hands

He had no fight in him

 

but we have a former DC head coach

hmmmmmmmm

 

OBV not what the annointed Leader and HC thinks. (if he told the truth yesterday)

more mediocrity next year.

Khan and Wiedl will get us all worked up with good work in the offseason.......and we will still have Tomlin, the stubborn albatross.