Should the Steelers run it back with Rodgers or not?

I was originally in favor of Rodgers returning as our #1 QB, but the more I think about it, I'm now against it. I wasn't very impressed with Rodgers last year. The Steelers passing game was extremely boring with the Rodgers dink and dunk offense, and I don't think I can take another year of it. I'd rather they sign a FA QB, and let whoever that is, along with Howard and Allar battle it out for QB #1. We need to find out this year if either Howard or Allar is going to be our future. If they bring back Rodgers, they're just kicking the can further down the road.

 

Mike McCarthy has already been on record in stating that drafting Drew Allar was much ado of nothing in regards to the Aaron Rodgers timeline. Due to that, I expect the team will get an answer at some point. How much sooner remains to be seen.


That said, if Will Howard shows enough progress at OTAs to warrant the starting job?! That would change the discussion a bit. Again though, Will would have to showcase a lot for that to happen.

 

AR returning isn’t just about him being the # 1 QB. Like last year when he helped develop the quarterback room under MT, that role will continue under MM. IMO, there isn’t a better veteran QB in the league who’s willing to help young guys with their craft.

MT was asked who he thinks will be the Steelers starting QB this year. The discussion starts around the 2:56 mark.

 

We have no choice but too this year, QB's on roster are not prepared to lead an NFL team at this Point.
Here is hoping Steelers will find their QB going forward next year.

 

Should they? Absolutely not. Check out Rodgers stats against any decent defense last year. He can’t move or escape any pressure at all anymore. He doesn’t want to get hit or let plays develop. He’s still an extremely cerebral QB and can dissect a play early or audible out to a good play.

All that being said if he wants to come back he will. I can only hope he retires so this rebuild can actually start.

 

At some point they’re going to have to turn the keys over to a young QB. I’ve lived my life “don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.” With 2 young QB I say let them battle it out and see if they’re the future. If not back to the future, but at least that evaluation period is behind you

 

No

 

The roster is a mess from top to bottom. Prime Big Ben would struggle to carry this group to 9-8.

 

This depends on the goal they have and what they think of the young QBs IMO.

If they want to make the playoffs this year (this is always Rooney's goal IMO), Rodgers gives the best shot at that.

If they want to see if either of their young QBs is a starter, then they should play them. Most QBs fail. So this path probably leads to a below 0.500 season and an early exit from being in the hunt for the playoffs. But they'd get more info about the young guys on the team who play the most important position.

 

As stated earlier, the return of Rogers isn't all about starting.
The guy worked wonders for the offense, an offense which was under manned and surprisingly not well thought out.
At the moment, I don't think Howard is a starter and for sure Drew Allar is not ready.
I would love to say "Go with Mason" but Mason just is barely slightly better than the two aforementioned QB's.

It is an unknown what this staff can and will do.
Tomlin just wasn't an offensive guru, so I'd say this staff is light years ahead already.
I am anxious to see how they can develop Allar and Howard, and I do note that they finally have a decent WR roster, which should complement TE and give these QB's good targets.

With young QB,s, you want to run the ball and play solid defense.
I think the ingredients are in place.
And three cheers for Austin being gone.

 

Opponents know that when you get the ball out in under three seconds the steelers defense is toast. Graham won't be able to fix that particular issue.

 

The Steelers have no advantage in having Rodgers back... He was fine against below-average defenses last year, but against good defenses, it was awful to watch like crazy

 

AR is coming back,more weapons and a better OL plus a better system and Coach.People keep saying evaluate the young QB'S well you can't until they learn the system They probably need 2 seasons under MM and AR ...

 

I don't know that yet.
Austin is gone and he was terrible at finding ways to get pressure.
Graham has some better pass rushers and maybe some upgrades at coverage.
Our problem was inability to stop to run (we got gouged) which allowed the pass phase to exploit weak coverage.
Graham has talked about using players strengths to enhance the defense.
I can't say it will work or say if he's some sort of savant but at least it is not the same 5 or 6 plays over and over and over. We were way too predictable.

 

I hate to say it but I think we should. I believe next year is another 8/9 or 9/8 year at best, whoever is QB. I sometimes want them to put Howard or Allar out there week 1 but that's probably a 5/12 record. Both non ready qb's will benefit more from a year with Rodgers than without. Then 27 start whoever wins the job. Our young o'line could get our young QBs killed this year and Rodgers at least can make reads faster and get rid of the ball faster and that line can learn and grow together this year. The staff also has to come together this year. I think 27, but probably 28 is our realistic expectation for a serious playoff run. Not what I really want but since they've botched this quarterback situation so bad for years, this is my realistic expectation for this team and quarterback position.

 

No more old QBs and quick playoff exits. If this results in a losing season, so be it. Let it be written, let it done.

 

This pic comes to mind:

 

Someone has to be ready for when Rodgers gets hurt.

 

Way too much weight on this subject.
There's nothing on paper that says: "Come back and start all 17 games."
That doesn't exist and will not exists.

I do agree a 43-year-old QB is not a great keystone to build your hopes on.

If Rogers returns, he does have a better receiving corps than last year.
It looks like a better run game.
It looks like better blocking.
Still, at 43, I'm not sure that is enough.

I could see Rogers coming in, maybe starting the season but yielding to Howard or Allar depending on their progress.
And then there's Mason who also has experience.
Rogers is not a bad option as a mentoring backup either.

McCarthy's is way ahead of us on this... his already charted the course.

 

The same Rodgers? You mean the guy who was afraid to take any contact, rushed throws, threw in the dirt, sailed over wide open receivers, rarely made it past his 1st or 2nd read, blamed his ineptitude on anybody but himself, was never a threat to scramble. Yeah, it wasn't as much lack of guys who could catch, it was more about garbage OL and AR's age and fear IMO. I don't want that same Rodgers who had his worst statistical season for yards of his career. I expect that trend to continue if he comes back.

 

Someone send that via pigeons to his cave. Maybe he will reconsider.

 

I think the first idea here (as has been the case for many seasons) is that the vet CB2 acquisition will allow us to play tighter early to make QBs hold the ball.

And the second idea is that we have a different play caller. And things like verbiage might also change. How many teams over the last few years have talked about how predictable we are? I think we probably get some benefit re: QBs holding the ball longer just by being less predictable like this. I think we saw this to some extent when Flores was here. Tomlin trusted him to make changes on the D. Something Austin didn't seem to have the permission, inclination, or ability to do.

Those are two small changes that could lead to a bunch more sacks.

 

I personally wouldn't mind this.

But the guy who writes the checks seems pretty adamant that we won't be tanking.

And starting low-pedigree QBs with no NFL experience (either Howard or Allar) is pretty much the definition of tanking.