Stafford path to victories

Stafford by far the best option among all these not so good options.

Only 1-2 (maybe 3 w/TJ) yrs left with our 3 best defenders and we aren't in a position to move on a draft prospect so it all gels with Stafford.

In order to make a run you must have a clutch capable QB possibly able to go drive for drive with top QBs in a big game, he's proven to have this capacity..

-Darnold has shown to be a disaster in this area.

-Fields? do we really project Fields to do this? If they created a very specific scheme to fully exploit fields as a read option with a dominant run game, maybe Fields, but I don't see them commiting fully to that exact plan.

-Rodgers? The chemistry and distraction likelihood issues here are high, old Rodgers could get away with all that off extreme talent/prime.

-Wilson? Thought I liked his clutch game until what we saw the last few. Mobility isn't there to overcome height anymore

-Kirk? If they went with shanahan coaching tree OC, I'd be up for giving this a go, but too late for that.

Another scenario that could be for the best.. he eats up a lot of cap for the QB room, so the backup will be really bad.. say we're 1-3, he gets injured 4+weeks, they lose out with the backup.. I can see putting in some mid round QB prospect actually being possible at this point. So if you're worried Stafford is old and will get hurt, there is a real silver lining possibility here that could get us in position for a 2026 QB prospect.

Compensation wise I think our 25 2nd and 26 3rd is reasonable.

There's a Stafford path that still leads to a top FA CB, a good FA WR, then a draft haul of a good impactful DT, #3 WR, and a 4th Rd RB thats as good as Najee to pair with Warren.. that's a team that can compete in the playoffs and maybe make a run.

If you're attached to Cam and company getting a chance at run, this is about the only path

 

I would trade two first for Murray before trading for Stafford who has best case of legit 2 years left.

 

Top 10ish QBs with clutch capacity can't be had for free.. some compensation is required

 

1st round pick looks to be the rams asking price.

 

Rodgers... no way he comes here. Coaches don't like him

Kirk.... that contract is horrible. But if atlanta wants to deal him for a third, maybe. But like you said, he doesn't fit our scheme. And his contract would have to be talked about.

Murray.... I don't think cardinals want to trade unless it's a bargain like sending tj Watt.

Fields.... honestly I think that's our only choice.

DArnold.... just no.

Wilson.... he might have another year that's decent. But fields i truly believe would out shine him if given the right WR and line.

Stafford.... only if wilson and fields say no. But I'm not a fan of a 2 year QB. We tried that last year and it didn't pan out. We saw what injuries could be for aging QB. And Stafford has that elbow.

....
I think we should go with Fields
- pick up Chris Godwin
- pick up DJ Reed
- draft DL in second
- draft RB in first
- draft QB third
- draft WR fourth

We don't need new Ol players, we need to make it work and not add more confusion of pieces.

We don't need to replace queen. He developed later as being solid and helped the run. Our problem was schemes. Getting minkah someone like Reeds will allow him to go play and only worry about helping queen in certain situations.

 

Middle round QB is scenario I didn't mention, but I'd take a swing every scenario other than maybe Stafford (cuz we're already giving up picks for him). If they keep Fields, I want the rookie Lamar offense on steroids and take Milroe in the 3rd.

I watched some film on Milroe and was surprised/impressed.. he has game breaking running ability, the size/durability for a scheme like that, and I saw way more accuracy than I expected. Fields+Milroe along with a dominant run game would next up for me behind Stafford.

 

I’d take Stafford and Kupp for a 2nd and 3rd. Sure Kupp is not as good as he was, but he’s still better than all of our WRs not named Pickens. Both Stafford and Kupp are a salary dumps by the Rams. If they want a team to take on that money they can’t be too demanding

 

Milroe has accuracy issues and he's a project.

 

Keep the QBs in House.
Team needs so much more.
Team is not a QB away from winning a Playoff game.

But do start looking to draft someone that can give you some stable years.

 

As bleak as the FA QB class is, the WR group does not bring much excitement either. Godwin would appear the highest, but coming off that injury there still is that feeling of 'what if". Not saying you should not kick the tires, but so tired of the aging/coming off injury WR not producing much of anything. Honestly if the guy they really like for a particular position is gone in the first, I hope they have the board structured and make a deal to move down, even if out of the first to get another 2nd, and 4th, or whatever value thsy can get. We need quality, but developmental depth as well.

 

Yeah

Actually they are

Actually they are a QB away from being a very good team

 

The problem I've had with Kupp is at this point he feels like more of a slot, and our OC doesn't use slots.. not only that for some reason we drafted a slot with a valuable 3rd last draft.

 

Project indeed, but if we temporarily give up on the franchise QB idea and go the lean heavy on read option rushing QB heavy route, he's a clear option. Maybe his upside is a more explosive Hurts (dreaming but far from impossible). Limited draft capital investment though.

 

When all is said and done I'm guessing it will be Justin Fields under center for us. Should be able to get the magical 9 wins.

I can't see Wilson attracting much attention during free agency but I can see Fields getting some offers.

 

If Fields can learn how to read defenses I think he'll be ok.

 

Just get someone who can win

 

Sounds like a Tomlin Special.

 

Stafford is by far the best case (realistic) scenario for the Steelers in 2025. I agree with the OP, the guy is a winner and still a top 10 QB, maybe even close to top 5

I’ll bet that Oline starts to look much better with Stafford as he gets rid of the ball quickly unlike Russ

In terms of trade compensation it really depends on how long he intends to play. Let’s say the Steelers swap their first for the Rams second and then send the Rams their third? I don’t think the Rams will get a first straight for him. He could retire after one season

With a real QB this team may not be that far away. They have money to fix problem positions like CB and WR

 

Stafford would be wasted in this offense.

 

He hasn't shown any capacity for that in four NFL seasons, so it makes no sense to think he will suddenly figure it out.

 

This is a GREAT off season scenario for the Steelers, and quite honestly nearly exactly what I would do.

Fields is probably the right option. It isn't a sexy splash like trading for Stafford would be, but if we got a good #2 and drafted a high end back we could build the offense around him like Philly's. Just pass for 200-220 yards a game and run for another 50-60. With quality weapons it can be done (Eagles had Saquon, Brown, and Smith... we can replicate that as best we can).
- Chris Godwin brings both quality #2 WR play AND locker room leadership. He isn't quite as good as Higgins, but would be a great option for us. 20-22 million could get him.
- Good player and scheme fit, would be an upgrade at the opposite JPJ. Could be had for like 15 million?
- Good spot for it. Pretty deep class and grabbing a guy like Alexander here could be perfect.
- Well this is the spot for either Jeanty if he falls or Treyveon Henderson. Different backs, but cant go wrong with either. If Fields is the way we go, then pairing him with an explosive RB out of the backfield makes us a lot more dangerous. RPO's are scary when both the QB and RB can house it at any point, and then we have a couple of good WR threats to worry about on the back end. Defenses might be on their heels a bit for the first time in 5+ years.
- This seems like a good spot for QB. If we wait until here were looking at either McCord or Howard. My preference is Howard.
- This is a fine spot for a developmental WR.
- I'd likely grab another OL late, and double dip at DL and RB for our later round picks. Could grab a CB or S too if we wanted.

We pretty much have to roll with what we've got at OL. We spent a lot of draft capital revamping that room, its now time to get the best out of what we have. I think the move to LT should help Jones, Frazier is obviously a good player, Fautanu needs to be healthy, and McCormick showed a good bit of promise as a rookie. We have a young unit. It's just about these guys developing alongside one another. I'm not sure that we can afford to spend any high capital on the OL this year after all we've spent the past few years.

I never understood the desire to replace Queen. I get the expectations for the Steelers' highest paid FA acquisition ever, but I thought he played well for us this year. He started a bit slow, but was mostly very good to end the year. Not to mention he is the future of vocal leadership on the defense. I wonder how much of Minkah's problem has been the direction the defense has gone under Austin. His first 3 years in Pittsburgh saw him get 12 picks and 3 defensive TD's (including FR)... Now he's had 1 pick the last 2 years and has had little impact on the games for his price tag. Levi Wallace and Cam Sutton were our starting CB's in his biggest year as a pro, so it's not about the quality of CB play. Something else is wrong and he needs to figure it out quick.

 

I agree with the OP.
Stafford is a true legit QB that could get us 3 years.
He has the personality that would fit well with a rookie as a mentor.
He's not something we have to have long term. 3 years is probably the max and 3 years is probably what we need to get the next QB.

But the real key is that if they commit to Stafford, the very next commitment is to keep his uniform clean.
I don't think we are there yet, therefore it is probably not a good move.

 

Not with Stafford reportedly wanting 50 million a year.