QB Aaron Rodgers, PIT (3 Viewers)

[Joe Bryant]

Humor aside, Bradshaw knows ball. He knows organizations. I’ll go with his take on ARod over almost anyone not in football.

I'm less confident in Bradshaw's QB scouting ability.

Terry Bradshaw on John Elway, 1983:“… in my opinion, he's not the kind of guy you win championships with. He never did it when he was at Stanford. I don't think he'll do it in Denver, & personally, (I) don't care if he ever does it."

We're having this same discussion with friends in a group chat and Bradshaw comments were a hot topic yesterday.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Not only is Rodgers not worth the psycho troubles, he's not that good anymore. He has single games where we see the AR of old. But the consistency is gone. and the stats show that. His QBR with NYJ and in his last year at GB were in the 40s. Which is well under his career average and worse than the average NFL starter. His QB rating those years dipped to 90, which is WAY under his career average. He threw double digit picks both seasons. There is a time for everyone to step down. But AR is getting paid $40M/year, so in that case one hangs on as long as possible no matter how much is in the bank. No team should be willng to do that. he isn't getting anyone to a championship. it's such a false narrative that he can.

 

[Joe Bryant]

he isn't getting anyone to a championship. it's such a false narrative that he can.

Just a general thought - I totally understand someone holding the opinion a 41 year old QB is washed and unable to perform at a high level. That's hardly a hot take.

Others can have the opinion he still has something left in the tank and can help a team.

Both can be discussed in a fun and constructive way. That's the goal here.

But labeling one's side as somehow the truth and dissenting (valid) opinions as a "false narrative" may generate more posts, but not the kind of good discussion I'd like us to be known for here.

And this is a general thing - obviously @Brunell4MVP is a good long time poster. But in general, less accusing the other side of false narrative is a good thing I believe.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Humor aside, Bradshaw knows ball. He knows organizations. I’ll go with his take on ARod over almost anyone not in football.

I'm less confident in Bradshaw's QB scouting ability.

Terry Bradshaw on John Elway, 1983:“… in my opinion, he's not the kind of guy you win championships with. He never did it when he was at Stanford. I don't think he'll do it in Denver, & personally, (I) don't care if he ever does it."

We're having this same discussion with friends in a group chat and Bradshaw comments were a hot topic yesterday.

The man has 4 rings, is in the HOF x3, spent 13 years on NFL today, and 3 decades on NFL Sunday.

He also has 3 Emmys for sports broadcasting.

But because he was wrong about Elway he doesn’t know ball or the Steelers organization like your text group? Cool cool.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Humor aside, Bradshaw knows ball. He knows organizations. I’ll go with his take on ARod over almost anyone not in football.

I'm less confident in Bradshaw's QB scouting ability.

Terry Bradshaw on John Elway, 1983:“… in my opinion, he's not the kind of guy you win championships with. He never did it when he was at Stanford. I don't think he'll do it in Denver, & personally, (I) don't care if he ever does it."

We're having this same discussion with friends in a group chat and Bradshaw comments were a hot topic yesterday.

The man has 4 rings, is in the HOF x3, spent 13 years on NFL today, and 3 decades on NFL Sunday.

He also has 3 Emmys for sports broadcasting.

But because he was wrong about Elway he doesn’t know ball or the Steelers organization like your text group? Cool cool.

Not sure who thinks he "doesn't know ball". I said I'm less confident than you. Hope that helps.

 

[Joe Bryant]

That organization is a mess,

I've heard this a few times in this thread. Can you elaborate on exactly what you mean and why it's such a mess in your opinion?

Where would your rank the Steelers among the 32 teams for how they rate currently as an organization?

 

[Joe Bryant]

More former teammate "hate"...

And no doubt, I'm sure there are quotes with negative opinions as well. I can easily see those.

But the discounting of the positive comments is interesting.

 

[warpig33]

Humor aside, Bradshaw knows ball. He knows organizations. I’ll go with his take on ARod over almost anyone not in football.

I'm less confident in Bradshaw's QB scouting ability.

Terry Bradshaw on John Elway, 1983:“… in my opinion, he's not the kind of guy you win championships with. He never did it when he was at Stanford. I don't think he'll do it in Denver, & personally, (I) don't care if he ever does it."

We're having this same discussion with friends in a group chat and Bradshaw comments were a hot topic yesterday.

The man has 4 rings, is in the HOF x3, spent 13 years on NFL today, and 3 decades on NFL Sunday.

He also has 3 Emmys for sports broadcasting.

But because he was wrong about Elway he doesn’t know ball or the Steelers organization like your text group? Cool cool.

Right? How many times has Mel Kiper Jr COMPLETELY whiffed on players he's supposedly scouted for years? To the point people have accused Kiper of being paid by certain players agents? I'm willing to give TB a mulligan on Elway. I thought Elway was just a guy too until his later years when he started winning SBs.

A-Rod is a freaking side show at this point in his career. Mostly due to his own decisions, comments, and actions. I can respect him for what he has done, but I think he's washed and is more of a headcase at this point. Not sure he's fully vested in winning and being a teammate/leader.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Humor aside, Bradshaw knows ball. He knows organizations. I’ll go with his take on ARod over almost anyone not in football.

I'm less confident in Bradshaw's QB scouting ability.

Terry Bradshaw on John Elway, 1983:“… in my opinion, he's not the kind of guy you win championships with. He never did it when he was at Stanford. I don't think he'll do it in Denver, & personally, (I) don't care if he ever does it."

We're having this same discussion with friends in a group chat and Bradshaw comments were a hot topic yesterday.

The man has 4 rings, is in the HOF x3, spent 13 years on NFL today, and 3 decades on NFL Sunday.

He also has 3 Emmys for sports broadcasting.

But because he was wrong about Elway he doesn’t know ball or the Steelers organization like your text group? Cool cool.

Not sure who thinks he "doesn't know ball". I said I'm less confident than you. Hope that helps.

You literally quoted me saying “the man knows ball” with a link to his being wrong about something with that accompanying statement.

Logical flow, one might see that as an attempt to discredit Bradshaw’s take based on a time he was wrong about something in the past. Otherwise how is that even related to the topic and why link reply to my comment with it?

Also, he wasn’t “scouting” ARod here. ARod’s a 41 year old man, not a rookie coming into the league. So even if I take at face value that you were merely commenting on confidence in his QB scouting ability, it’s irrelevant to his current take on present day ARod.

That organization is a mess,

I've heard this a few times in this thread. Can you elaborate on exactly what you mean and why it's such a mess in your opinion?

Where would your rank the Steelers among the 32 teams for how they rate currently as an organization?

I’ve been extremely clear with my reasons for that position in this topic.

They had Russell Wilson and Fields in-house. They had an entire draft to address the issue. They dragged their heels in FA, and missed on Geno, Daniel Jones, Darnold, Fields, Wilson, or didn’t even try to get them (I don’t have inside knowledge there), then didn’t draft a QB until the 7th when they had a QB room led by the much maligned Mason Rudolph.

Now they’re waiting with baited breath for a 41 year old Rodgers.

That, in my humble opinion, is a mess. What would you call it?

ETA: I would rate them as an enigma. Prior to last year with Russ taking over for a 6-1 Fields, I would have ranked them in the top 15 as organization.

But they’ve fallen hard in my estimation of them based on their inability or unwillingness to address the QB room. I also agree with Bradshaw that they were too hasty with Pickett.

So until they show me otherwise I have them bottom 10.

 

[Kiddnets]

As a Jets fan who is dying for a QB I was happy to be rid of him. At his age, cost and production he just isnt worth the sideshow drama - very surprised a quality organization like Pitt may be bringing him on.

 

[Joe Bryant]

You literally quoted me saying “the man knows ball” with a link to his being wrong about something with that accompanying statement.

Logical flow, one might see that as an attempt to discredit Bradshaw’s take based on a time he was wrong about something in the past. Otherwise how is that even related to the topic and why link reply to my comment with it?

Also, he wasn’t “scouting” ARod here. ARod’s a 41 year old man, not a rookie coming into the league. So even if I take at face value that you were merely commenting on confidence in his QB scouting ability, it’s irrelevant to his current take on present day ARod.

And I said I'm less confident in him than you are.

If you want to turn that into somehow he doesn't know ball, I'm not sure what to tell you.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Humor aside, Bradshaw knows ball. He knows organizations. I’ll go with his take on ARod over almost anyone not in football.

I'm less confident in Bradshaw's QB scouting ability.

Terry Bradshaw on John Elway, 1983:“… in my opinion, he's not the kind of guy you win championships with. He never did it when he was at Stanford. I don't think he'll do it in Denver, & personally, (I) don't care if he ever does it."

We're having this same discussion with friends in a group chat and Bradshaw comments were a hot topic yesterday.

The man has 4 rings, is in the HOF x3, spent 13 years on NFL today, and 3 decades on NFL Sunday.

He also has 3 Emmys for sports broadcasting.

But because he was wrong about Elway he doesn’t know ball or the Steelers organization like your text group? Cool cool.

Not sure who thinks he "doesn't know ball". I said I'm less confident than you. Hope that helps.

You literally quoted me saying “the man knows ball” with a link to his being wrong about something with that accompanying statement.

Logical flow, one might see that as an attempt to discredit Bradshaw’s take based on a time he was wrong about something in the past. Otherwise how is that even related to the topic and why link reply to my comment with it?

Also, he wasn’t “scouting” ARod here. ARod’s a 41 year old man, not a rookie coming into the league. So even if I take at face value that you were merely commenting on confidence in his QB scouting ability, it’s irrelevant to his current take on present day ARod.

That organization is a mess,

I've heard this a few times in this thread. Can you elaborate on exactly what you mean and why it's such a mess in your opinion?

Where would your rank the Steelers among the 32 teams for how they rate currently as an organization?

I’ve been extremely clear with my reasons for that position in this topic.

They had Russell Wilson and Fields in-house. They had an entire draft to address the issue. They dragged their heels in FA, and missed on Geno, Daniel Jones, Darnold, Fields, Wilson, or didn’t even try to get them (I don’t have inside knowledge there), then didn’t draft a QB until the 7th when they had a QB room led by the much maligned Mason Rudolph.

Now they’re waiting with baited breath for a 41 year old Rodgers.

That, in my humble opinion, is a mess. What would you call it?

ETA: I would rate them as an enigma. Prior to last year with Russ taking over for a 6-1 Fields, I would have ranked them in the top 15 as organization.

But they’ve fallen hard in my estimation of them based on their inability or unwillingness to address the QB room. I also agree with Bradshaw that they were too hasty with Pickett.

So until they show me otherwise I have them bottom 10.

Interesting. Thanks.

Instead of a franchise that's a mess, I'd call that a team that has struggled since their last star QB to get their QB right. They've tried big swings in the draft and free agency and neither have been consistently the right answer. That puts them in the same company as a lot of teams trying to find their QB.

Getting the QB right is paramount, but I don't dismiss a team as "a mess" when they've struggled to get that right. Elite QBs are rare.

On the upside, I see a team with a highly respected owner. A team with a highly respected head coach and front office. They have an identity as a tough defensive team and have developed one of the league's best players. With a defensive minded head coach, the offense seems to have failed to carry its end and plays a more boring ground focused game. They brought in Arthur Smith after struggling in Atlanta as a HC but who was excellent as an OC. They've developed a fan base and following that's one of the top in the league.

They represent professionalism and stability as a franchise. And have for a very long time.

Absolutely, they've struggled to find the QB after Roethlisberger. But on the whole, I don't dismiss them as a mess of a franchise. We can disagree there.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Humor aside, Bradshaw knows ball. He knows organizations. I’ll go with his take on ARod over almost anyone not in football.

I'm less confident in Bradshaw's QB scouting ability.

Terry Bradshaw on John Elway, 1983:“… in my opinion, he's not the kind of guy you win championships with. He never did it when he was at Stanford. I don't think he'll do it in Denver, & personally, (I) don't care if he ever does it."

We're having this same discussion with friends in a group chat and Bradshaw comments were a hot topic yesterday.

The man has 4 rings, is in the HOF x3, spent 13 years on NFL today, and 3 decades on NFL Sunday.

He also has 3 Emmys for sports broadcasting.

But because he was wrong about Elway he doesn’t know ball or the Steelers organization like your text group? Cool cool.

Not sure who thinks he "doesn't know ball". I said I'm less confident than you. Hope that helps.

You literally quoted me saying “the man knows ball” with a link to his being wrong about something with that accompanying statement.

Logical flow, one might see that as an attempt to discredit Bradshaw’s take based on a time he was wrong about something in the past. Otherwise how is that even related to the topic and why link reply to my comment with it?

Also, he wasn’t “scouting” ARod here. ARod’s a 41 year old man, not a rookie coming into the league. So even if I take at face value that you were merely commenting on confidence in his QB scouting ability, it’s irrelevant to his current take on present day ARod.

That organization is a mess,

I've heard this a few times in this thread. Can you elaborate on exactly what you mean and why it's such a mess in your opinion?

Where would your rank the Steelers among the 32 teams for how they rate currently as an organization?

I’ve been extremely clear with my reasons for that position in this topic.

They had Russell Wilson and Fields in-house. They had an entire draft to address the issue. They dragged their heels in FA, and missed on Geno, Daniel Jones, Darnold, Fields, Wilson, or didn’t even try to get them (I don’t have inside knowledge there), then didn’t draft a QB until the 7th when they had a QB room led by the much maligned Mason Rudolph.

Now they’re waiting with baited breath for a 41 year old Rodgers.

That, in my humble opinion, is a mess. What would you call it?

ETA: I would rate them as an enigma. Prior to last year with Russ taking over for a 6-1 Fields, I would have ranked them in the top 15 as organization.

But they’ve fallen hard in my estimation of them based on their inability or unwillingness to address the QB room. I also agree with Bradshaw that they were too hasty with Pickett.

So until they show me otherwise I have them bottom 10.

Interesting. Thanks.

Instead of a franchise that's a mess, I'd call that a team that has struggled since their last star QB to get their QB right. They've tried big swings in the draft and free agency and neither have been consistently the right answer. That puts them in the same company as a lot of teams trying to find their QB.

Getting the QB right is paramount, but I don't dismiss a team as "a mess" when they've struggled to get that right. Elite QBs are rare.

On the upside, I see a team with a highly respected owner. A team with a highly respected head coach and front office. They have an identity as a tough defensive team and have developed one of the league's best players. With a defensive minded head coach, the offense seems to have failed to carry its end and plays a more boring ground focused game. They brought in Arthur Smith after struggling in Atlanta as a HC but who was excellent as an OC. They've developed a fan base and following that's one of the top in the league.

They represent professionalism and stability as a franchise. And have for a very long time.

Absolutely, they've struggled to find the QB after Roethlisberger. But on the whole, I don't dismiss them as a mess of a franchise. We can disagree there.

Taking this 1 point at a time.

• They took big swings in FA? By getting semi-washed Russ while Denver paid him? And they brought in Fields for very little as well. IIRC they had less than $10M invested in their QB room last year.

Is that a big swing in FA?

• I didn’t see the part where they keep drafting dysfunctional/immature WR, like AB & Pickens.

Is drafting not also a sign of organizational competence?

• professionalism & stability - ok, I can agree with that to a point. Wheels sure fell off the bus in a hurry for such a stable and professional franchise.

• fan base & following is meaningless to me, as that says nothing of the franchise. Pittsburgh is a blue collar sports town. They’d love their Steelers through thick and thin. It’s a compliment to their fan base, not the the organization. I would say they deserve better than the 2025 Steelers.

• I’m not dismissing them as a mess of a franchise. I’m describing their current situation as a mess, caused by the franchise. Maybe they turn it around. Doesn’t look promising at the moment.

Hope this helps clarify my positions. Thanks for the engagement.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Humor aside, Bradshaw knows ball. He knows organizations. I’ll go with his take on ARod over almost anyone not in football.

I'm less confident in Bradshaw's QB scouting ability.

Terry Bradshaw on John Elway, 1983:“… in my opinion, he's not the kind of guy you win championships with. He never did it when he was at Stanford. I don't think he'll do it in Denver, & personally, (I) don't care if he ever does it."

We're having this same discussion with friends in a group chat and Bradshaw comments were a hot topic yesterday.

The man has 4 rings, is in the HOF x3, spent 13 years on NFL today, and 3 decades on NFL Sunday.

He also has 3 Emmys for sports broadcasting.

But because he was wrong about Elway he doesn’t know ball or the Steelers organization like your text group? Cool cool.

Not sure who thinks he "doesn't know ball". I said I'm less confident than you. Hope that helps.

You literally quoted me saying “the man knows ball” with a link to his being wrong about something with that accompanying statement.

Logical flow, one might see that as an attempt to discredit Bradshaw’s take based on a time he was wrong about something in the past. Otherwise how is that even related to the topic and why link reply to my comment with it?

Also, he wasn’t “scouting” ARod here. ARod’s a 41 year old man, not a rookie coming into the league. So even if I take at face value that you were merely commenting on confidence in his QB scouting ability, it’s irrelevant to his current take on present day ARod.

That organization is a mess,

I've heard this a few times in this thread. Can you elaborate on exactly what you mean and why it's such a mess in your opinion?

Where would your rank the Steelers among the 32 teams for how they rate currently as an organization?

I’ve been extremely clear with my reasons for that position in this topic.

They had Russell Wilson and Fields in-house. They had an entire draft to address the issue. They dragged their heels in FA, and missed on Geno, Daniel Jones, Darnold, Fields, Wilson, or didn’t even try to get them (I don’t have inside knowledge there), then didn’t draft a QB until the 7th when they had a QB room led by the much maligned Mason Rudolph.

Now they’re waiting with baited breath for a 41 year old Rodgers.

That, in my humble opinion, is a mess. What would you call it?

ETA: I would rate them as an enigma. Prior to last year with Russ taking over for a 6-1 Fields, I would have ranked them in the top 15 as organization.

But they’ve fallen hard in my estimation of them based on their inability or unwillingness to address the QB room. I also agree with Bradshaw that they were too hasty with Pickett.

So until they show me otherwise I have them bottom 10.

Interesting. Thanks.

Instead of a franchise that's a mess, I'd call that a team that has struggled since their last star QB to get their QB right. They've tried big swings in the draft and free agency and neither have been consistently the right answer. That puts them in the same company as a lot of teams trying to find their QB.

Getting the QB right is paramount, but I don't dismiss a team as "a mess" when they've struggled to get that right. Elite QBs are rare.

On the upside, I see a team with a highly respected owner. A team with a highly respected head coach and front office. They have an identity as a tough defensive team and have developed one of the league's best players. With a defensive minded head coach, the offense seems to have failed to carry its end and plays a more boring ground focused game. They brought in Arthur Smith after struggling in Atlanta as a HC but who was excellent as an OC. They've developed a fan base and following that's one of the top in the league.

They represent professionalism and stability as a franchise. And have for a very long time.

Absolutely, they've struggled to find the QB after Roethlisberger. But on the whole, I don't dismiss them as a mess of a franchise. We can disagree there.

Taking this 1 point at a time.

• They took big swings in FA? By getting semi-washed Russ while Denver paid him? And they brought in Fields for very little as well. IIRC they had less than $10M invested in their QB room last year.

Is that a big swing in FA?

• I didn’t see the part where they keep drafting dysfunctional/immature WR, like AB & Pickens.

Is drafting not also a sign of organizational competence?

• professionalism & stability - ok, I can agree with that to a point. Wheels sure fell off the bus in a hurry for such a stable and professional franchise.

• fan base & following is meaningless to me, as that says nothing of the franchise. Pittsburgh is a blue collar sports town. They’d love their Steelers through thick and thin. It’s a compliment to their fan base, not the the organization. I would say they deserve better than the 2025 Steelers.

• I’m not dismissing them as a mess of a franchise. I’m describing their current situation as a mess, caused by the franchise. Maybe they turn it around. Doesn’t look promising at the moment.

Hope this helps clarify my positions. Thanks for the engagement.

We can disagree there.

I think Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were smart swings in Free Agency. Fields showed a good bit in Pittsburgh I thought. Wilson briefly looked like an even better answer.

That feels like a huge stretch to make their handling of Antonio Brown a negative. They developed him into a star and moved on from him at exactly the right time when they saw it wouldn't work.

We'll disagree on a fan base being meaningless. I think the following any organization attracts is meaningful.

I also don't know how not solving the QB problem drops a team from top 15 to bottom 10 but that's interesting too.

So it seems we see a lot differently on Pittsburgh. Again, that's fine and part of the game.

 

[Chaka]

More former teammate "hate"...

And no doubt, I'm sure there are quotes with negative opinions as well. I can easily see those.

But the discounting of the positive comments is interesting.

I'm a little bit in the meh category for positive comments. It's easy to be effusive with praise and it's good business sense too. Being critical comes with much more risk.

That's why most announcers, interviewers and players think every player is the best player ever.

Even the comments in that article are more nuanced than just being positive about Rodgers leading another team.

I'm glad that "Williams, who spent the 2023-24 seasons with Rodgers, thanked the veteran QB for pushing him to expand his offseason portfolio.", But what does that tell us about football?

Quincy Williams also said
“Man, he’s one person,” Jets linebacker Quincy Williams exclusively told talkSPORT. “He ain’t got time to be trying to correct everybody or none of that."

Is that what you want from your starting QB? Also, I am sure Mike Williams might have a different perspective on that.

Williams further added:
“But anybody who asked me, great guy.” Awesome, what do you say when talking with your most trusted confidantes?

Another mixed bag comment from Williams:
"A Hall of Fame quarterback is asking me my perspective on football," Williams said.

"Like, man, you done played against a lot of good linebackers. Why you asking my perspective?

"He cares about football. He cares about winning. That's the crazy thing -- he cares about football. (That sounds great)

"He cares about how the people in his locker room feel about him, that's the main thing. (Not so great). So all the conversations outside, he not really worried about.

"It's about the guys in the locker room that he played with, next to, that trust him when the ball gets in his hand."

Again, those are some nice comments and some red flags. It's easy to praise, it's a lot more difficult to be critical in this arena.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I also don't know how not solving the QB problem drops a team from top 15 to bottom 10 but that's interesting too.

you said it yourself - it’s the paramount position. If you don’t have a QB you don’t have an offense.

And it’s not about “not solving” the QB problem as much as it is “not letting it become a problem in the 1st place”.

But as I’d mentioned previously, then they didn’t bring in any of the available FA QB, nor did they draft one high enough to matter.

It’s fine if you don’t see a problem with that, but based on consensus opinion in this topic it seems your out on an island with that take.

I agree they handled AB correctly. I’m not at all sure they handled Pickens correctly. I am sure that they seem to have a habit of drafting WR who have become problematic. Maybe that’s on them, maybe not.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I'm a little bit in the meh category for positive comments.

But Chaka, they got the great (checks notes) Isaiah Davis on record - wait, who is Isaiah Davis?

And Brett “stole from poor people” Favre.

With glowing references like those, who needs haters?

 

[Joe Bryant]

It’s fine if you don’t see a problem with that, but based on consensus opinion in this topic it seems your out on an island with that take.

Again, that's not what I'm saying. Of course not getting the QB right is a problem. I addressed that fullly.

But missing there, like tons of teams do, doesn't make the franchise "a mess" in my opinion when they have so many other things they're getting right.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

It’s fine if you don’t see a problem with that, but based on consensus opinion in this topic it seems your out on an island with that take.

Again, that's not what I'm saying. Of course not getting the QB right is a problem. I addressed that fullly.

But missing there, like tons of teams do, doesn't make the franchise "a mess" in my opinion when they have so many other things they're getting right.

You can only “miss” when you take a shot.

They’ve taken no shots in 2025 to my knowledge. Not in FA, not in the draft.

That’s what I take issue with & why I described them as a mess.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

But they’ve fallen hard in my estimation of them based on their inability or unwillingness to address the QB room. I also agree with Bradshaw that they were too hasty with Pickett.

I love Brad, but he has pretty large blinders when it comes to Pickett. It can be both the team's AND his fault that he was a failure.

If anyone watched more than a handful of his games, they absolutely were not too hasty. They over-drafted a guy, due mostly to provincialism/panic, and they reaped what they had sown. Yeah, they foisted Matt Canada upon him. Yeah, their OL had degraded over what it had been in the mid 20teens. Pickett was still objectively horrid when it came to just about any meaningful measure. The horrible self-sacks, the lack of arm strength, only playing to one side of the field or the other, etc, etc. And absolute waste of a QB in Mason Rudolph was able to take that same HS offense and produce for a month better than Kenny ever did. The only positive, IMHO™, was that they didn't exacerbate the situation by clinging on to that particular failed experiment for another three years.

Bradshaw is pretty much dead nuts on the Rodgers stuff though. "Why bother for this?" is basically where a lot of observers are living, it seems. This is not 2015 Aaron Rodgers we're talking about, here. What's he going to mean? A couple extra wins, maybe? I don't know that's a guarantee any longer either at his current level of play.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

But they’ve fallen hard in my estimation of them based on their inability or unwillingness to address the QB room. I also agree with Bradshaw that they were too hasty with Pickett.

I love Brad, but he has pretty large blinders when it comes to Pickett. It can be both the team's AND his fault that he was a failure.

If anyone watched more than a handful of his games, they absolutely were not too hasty. They over-drafted a guy, due mostly to provincialism/panic, and they reaped what they had sown. Yeah, they foisted Matt Canada upon him. Yeah, their OL had degraded over what it had been in the mid 20teens. Pickett was still objectively horrid when it came to just about any meaningful measure. The horrible self-sacks, the lack of arm strength, only playing to one side of the field or the other, etc, etc. And absolute waste of a QB in Mason Rudolph was able to take that same HS offense and produce for a month better than Kenny ever did. The only positive, IMHO™, was that they didn't exacerbate the situation by clinging on to that particular failed experiment for another three years.

Bradshaw is pretty much dead nuts on the Rodgers stuff though. "Why bother for this?" is basically where a lot of observers are living, it seems. This is not 2015 Aaron Rodgers we're talking about, here. What's he going to mean? A couple extra wins, maybe? I don't know that's a guarantee any longer either at his current level of play.

Fair takes, all.

 

[Joe Bryant]

But they’ve fallen hard in my estimation of them based on their inability or unwillingness to address the QB room. I also agree with Bradshaw that they were too hasty with Pickett.

I love Brad, but he has pretty large blinders when it comes to Pickett. It can be both the team's AND his fault that he was a failure.

If anyone watched more than a handful of his games, they absolutely were not too hasty. They over-drafted a guy, due mostly to provincialism/panic, and they reaped what they had sown. Yeah, they foisted Matt Canada upon him. Yeah, their OL had degraded over what it had been in the mid 20teens. Pickett was still objectively horrid when it came to just about any meaningful measure. The horrible self-sacks, the lack of arm strength, only playing to one side of the field or the other, etc, etc. And absolute waste of a QB in Mason Rudolph was able to take that same HS offense and produce for a month better than Kenny ever did. The only positive, IMHO™, was that they didn't exacerbate the situation by clinging on to that particular failed experiment for another three years.

Bradshaw is pretty much dead nuts on the Rodgers stuff though. "Why bother for this?" is basically where a lot of observers are living, it seems. This is not 2015 Aaron Rodgers we're talking about, here. What's he going to mean? A couple extra wins, maybe? I don't know that's a guarantee any longer either at his current level of play.

Thanks. Agreed, I'm not sure how much stock I'd put in saying they should have stuck with Pickett longer. Seemed pretty clear he wasn't the guy. He hasn't done anything since to disprove that. Sure, good organizations draft good players. But they also admit a draft mistake without letting ego push them into ignoring the reality most everyone else can see.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

That’s what I take issue with & why I described them as a mess.

I wouldn't classify them a "mess." More of a "morass of hubris."

They seemingly have operated the last handful of years as if things will just work their way out because "Hey, we're the Steelers and we find ways!" The first brick in this wall was not doing more at the QB position while #7 was still on the team, to assuage his ego. The second was blowing picks on guys in Ben's final year to "give him one final shot at a title run with players who are ready to contribute day one!" The most recent brick was allowing the owner/coach to draft with their penii instead of their brains when they reactionarily selected Kenny Pickett, reportedly over the arguments of their own scouts.

Certainly there are other things they could have done, and didn't, and things they did try to do that didn't work at the QB position. Most of them, from my perspective at least, have smacked of "WE'RE THE STEELERS AND THINGS WE DO ARE ALWAYS RIGHT!! HOW DARE ANYONE QUESTION US!?" A lot has changed with how they operate on the other side of the glass since Dan Rooney died, and some who don't follow the team closely are still stuck in the mentality that this is the same org from 10 or 15 years ago.

The most recent draft has me hoping, at least a touch, that perhaps they're recalibrating in regard to scouting/the draft at least (which they absolutely need to do). No silly overdrafts for the likes of Sanders, Shough, etc. in a lesser QB crop just because they absolutely need to find one, not drafting square pegs for round holes at some other positions that have been underwhelming in recent seasons, etc.

"Mess" or otherwise, they absolutely are not the same organization they were even 6 or 8 years ago and it is a totally valid angle to question and criticize what they've been doing/thinking since, like, 2018-219.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

That’s what I take issue with & why I described them as a mess.

I wouldn't classify them a "mess." More of a "morass of hubris."

They seemingly have operated the last handful of years as if things will just work their way out because "Hey, we're the Steelers and we find ways!" The first brick in this wall was not doing more at the QB position while #7 was still on the team, to assuage his ego. The second was blowing picks on guys in Ben's final year to "give him one final shot at a title run with players who are ready to contribute day one!" The most recent brick was allowing the owner/coach to draft with their penii instead of their brains when they reactionarily selected Kenny Pickett, reportedly over the arguments of their own scouts.

Certainly there are other things they could have done, and didn't, and things they did try to do that didn't work at the QB position. Most of them, from my perspective at least, have smacked of "WE'RE THE STEELERS AND THINGS WE DO ARE ALWAYS RIGHT!! HOW DARE ANYONE QUESTION US!?" A lot has changed with how they operate on the other side of the glass since Dan Rooney died, and some who don't follow the team closely are still stuck in the mentality that this is the same org from 10 or 15 years ago.

The most recent draft has me hoping, at least a touch, that perhaps they're recalibrating in regard to scouting/the draft at least (which they absolutely need to do). No silly overdrafts for the likes of Sanders, Shough, etc. in a lesser QB crop just because they absolutely need to find one, not drafting square pegs for round holes at some other positions that have been underwhelming in recent seasons, etc.

"Mess" or otherwise, they absolutely are not the same organization they were even 6 or 8 years ago and it is a totally valid angle to question and criticize what they've been doing/thinking since, like, 2018-219.

Again, fair.

“Mess” was a lot less to type than all that, and I sometimes like being succinct.

I think “hubris” is a good description and for the reasons you’ve stated above.

That said, IMO that they seemingly put all their eggs into A-A-Ron’s basket and are now stuck waiting idly by for mediocrity to show up is a pretty bad look.

I listed multiple FAs above who IMO would all be better fits than ARod, several of whom might even have a 3-5 year window of competent QB play, buying them some time to find that next great QB.

Like, Seattle, sure. But how you gonna get beat to the punch on FA QBs by the NYG, NYJ, and TEN?

Or maybe pushed for a deal during the draft to get Cousins or one of the other capable backups in the league? Right now they have Mason Rudolph and some sort of wink and a handshake deal from ARod, who, as you implied, is not a good short or long-term answer.

Absolutely not the Steelers of the past. Honestly have no idea what they’re thinking, and I certainly don’t buy the “they have to take their best shot which is Rodgers because that’s what the good NFL teams do.” (I’m paraphrasing here a little).

From the sidelines it looks like a disastrous situation that they are responsible for creating.

 

[Chaka]

I'm a little bit in the meh category for positive comments.

But Chaka, they got the great (checks notes) Isaiah Davis on record - wait, who is Isaiah Davis?

And Brett “stole from poor people” Favre.

With glowing references like those, who needs haters?

I don't discount the comment based on the quality of the players.

They said good things about Rodgers, that's on the record. I just think that players saying great things about players is easy and doesn't really inform much.

 

[Anarchy99]

They've tried big swings in the draft and free agency.

I guess we have different definitions of what "big swings" are, as I don't agree with this. A big swing in the draft is moving up into the Top 5 of the draft and taking one of the best prospects in 5-10 years. They took Pickett in a draft that did not have great QBs (and taking him at Pick 20 was likely a reach) . . . in a draft that produced only one real viable QB in Purdy. They took Rudolph at Pick 76 and Dobbs at Pick 135. IMO, none of those are "big swings."

A big swing in free agency would be shelling out $40M+ a year and handing out a $100M+ contract. They have not done that. They cheaped out and signed Wilson after he wore out his welcome in DEN, sticking the Broncos with the bill (and Wilson was not that coveted by other teams). They signed Trubisky after he flamed out in CHI and sat as a backup in BUF. And they took on Fields when the Bears had decided to move on and they dumped him. Now they are looking at bringing a soon to be 42-year-old Rodgers that would be a very short-term option (and another aging QB that is long past his prime).

Again, I think none of these come close to being "big swings."

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Again, I think none of these come close to being "big swings."

Agreed. Those were mostly all "swinging bunts" at best. They didn't even take hacks at gimme "ground rule doubles" like drafting Jalen Hurts when given the opportunity.

The Steelers/Tomlin are living off rep for a going on 8 years now.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I just think that players saying great things about players is easy and doesn't really inform much.

I’ve said as much previously in here.

Wait, you’re saying they stuck a mic in a teammates face and he said all the right things about his QB? Amazing. This has never happened before.

lol

 

[Joe Bryant]

They've tried big swings in the draft and free agency.

I guess we have different definitions of what "big swings" are, as I don't agree with this. A big swing in the draft is moving up into the Top 5 of the draft and taking one of the best prospects in 5-10 years. They took Pickett in a draft that did not have great QBs (and taking him at Pick 20 was likely a reach) . . . in a draft that produced only one real viable QB in Purdy. They took Rudolph at Pick 76 and Dobbs at Pick 135. IMO, none of those are "big swings."

A big swing in free agency would be shelling out $40M+ a year and handing out a $100M+ contract. They have not done that. They cheaped out and signed Wilson after he wore out his welcome in DEN, sticking the Broncos with the bill (and Wilson was not that coveted by other teams). They signed Trubisky after he flamed out in CHI and sat as a backup in BUF. And they took on Fields when the Bears had decided to move on and they dumped him. Now they are looking at bringing a soon to be 42-year-old Rodgers that would be a very short-term option (and another aging QB that is long past his prime).

Again, I think none of these come close to being "big swings."

No worries. We absolutely disagree on that. In a salary cap league , everyone’s swings have some limitations. This isn’t baseball. If I’m a Steelers fan, I applaud them for going after a quarterback in the first round like they did and also bringing in free agents like Wilson and Fields. Of course, hindsight is 2020 but that doesn’t change the intent.

In this type of format where aggressive mistakes are punished severely, big swings come with risk. The team is currently feeling the impact of those misses. But that’s the nature of fandom.

Putting all the eggs in one basket is OK when one agrees with a basket. Then that’s being smart and aggressive. But when they put all the eggs in the basket one doesn’t agree with, that same move makes them an idiot. That sports and fandom.

 

[Desert_Power]

And for sure, everyone is welcome to reply to the question of, "What would you do at QB if you were handed control of the Steelers today?"

Today?

Fire Arthur Smith and hire anyone who has even had dinner with Kevin O'Connell or Ben Johnson.

Hell, anyone who has bussed O'Connell or Johnson's table at Chipotle.

Smith and O'Connell are the same coaching tree. Smith has been a very good OC

The disrespect for Smith is interesting. His OC work for 2 years with the Titans in 2019 and 2020 was good enough to earn him a head coach job with Atlanta. Clearly, he wasn't good enough as a HC after 3 years but I don't get the disrespect for him as an OC. He's no Andy Reid, but he's had success.

I think it is because of the style of offenses he likes to run. That said, Rodgers seems a poor fit for him in particular.

 

[Grid71]

Steelers front office definitely has a plan since Omar stepped in. Clear focus on building the trenches especially with youth.

OL and RB in particular have been a massive struggle. How does a team with a rushing identity fail to convert on 3rd-4th and 1 at such a high rate? Can see the focus on correcting that issue.

QB contracts have all been 1 year rentals while Omar has been building a foundation for the future. Rodgers/Rudolph are this years QB patch.

Maybe the FO believes Rodgers is the key to unlocking Arthur Smith’s offense. High football IQ and puts his guys in position to make plays. When the D respects the QB ability to burn them, it opens up the run. Could be the dream for a 1 year title shot.

Yet, I can’t help but think about the NFL draft being in Pittsburgh 2026. QB class appears to be a good one. A plan to March for Arch obviously couldn’t be admitted publicly. Rodgers is the perfect distraction. If things fall apart due to drama, coming to camp late, yada yada, Omar and Rooney can say “my bad” as they stride to the podium in April wearing a cat that ate the canary grin.

Omar knows and I look forward to seeing what he can accomplish.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Rodgers was great with Lafleur, who is one of Smith's mentors

 

[Joe Bryant]

Steelers front office definitely has a plan since Omar stepped in. Clear focus on building the trenches especially with youth.

OL and RB in particular have been a massive struggle. How does a team with a rushing identity fail to convert on 3rd-4th and 1 at such a high rate? Can see the focus on correcting that issue.

QB contracts have all been 1 year rentals while Omar has been building a foundation for the future. Rodgers/Rudolph are this years QB patch.

Maybe the FO believes Rodgers is the key to unlocking Arthur Smith’s offense. High football IQ and puts his guys in position to make plays. When the D respects the QB ability to burn them, it opens up the run. Could be the dream for a 1 year title shot.

Yet, I can’t help but think about the NFL draft being in Pittsburgh 2026. QB class appears to be a good one. A plan to March for Arch obviously couldn’t be admitted publicly. Rodgers is the perfect distraction. If things fall apart due to drama, coming to camp late, yada yada, Omar and Rooney can say “my bad” as they stride to the podium in April wearing a cat that ate the canary grin.

Omar knows and I look forward to seeing what he can accomplish.

You mean to say they're not all incompetent trading off the Rooney name?...

I can see a ton of the above.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Rodgers is the perfect distraction. If things fall apart due to drama, coming to camp late, yada yada, Omar and Rooney can say “my bad” as they stride to the podium in April wearing a cat that ate the canary grin.

LOL. And I can't imagine a story that would be easier to sell to a hopeful audience.

 

[Grid71]

Rodgers is the perfect distraction. If things fall apart due to drama, coming to camp late, yada yada, Omar and Rooney can say “my bad” as they stride to the podium in April wearing a cat that ate the canary grin.

LOL. And I can't imagine a story that would be easier to sell to a hopeful audience.

Having fun lying to myself the team is going to tank one season for a QB.

Plus side is I don’t really care what the team does with these 1-year rentals. Going to enjoy watching the OL develop and D disrupt offenses.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

he isn't getting anyone to a championship. it's such a false narrative that he can.

Just a general thought - I totally understand someone holding the opinion a 41 year old QB is washed and unable to perform at a high level. That's hardly a hot take.

Others can have the opinion he still has something left in the tank and can help a team.

Both can be discussed in a fun and constructive way. That's the goal here.

But labeling one's side as somehow the truth and dissenting (valid) opinions as a "false narrative" may generate more posts, but not the kind of good discussion I'd like us to be known for here.

And this is a general thing - obviously @Brunell4MVP is a good long time poster. But in general, less accusing the other side of false narrative is a good thing I believe.

The whole FF Board is opinion. That's the point of it. That the other side is a 'false narrative' is an opinion. There's nothing derogatory in saying so.

 

[eighsse2]

I think the whole point is, "good Rodgers" is not just a HOF'er, but like short-list GOAT tier. Nothing we've seen says he is washed. We've seen a good amount of evidence that he may be. (And washed Rodgers is still like average-ish NFL starting QB.) And if anyone but Brady is going to be able to keep it going into his 40s, Rodgers would be a prime candidate, considering he's a health freak. Rodgers did use his legs a lot more than Brady through his career, and that part of his game has taken a hit. But not like he was Michael Vick.

 

[sm8680]

The Steelers failed Kenny Pickett from the start. Drafting him in the first round, only to surround him with the worst offensive coordinator in NFL history Matt Canada was a mistake. Canada refused to delegate or take input from his coaches, making the offense predictable and ineffective. On top of that, the offensive line was a disaster, leaving Pickett with little chance to succeed.

That said, a lot of this falls on Pickett too. He’s got a weak arm and spends more time whining than proving he can be the guy. No matter how bad the situation was, great quarterbacks rise above it Pickett didn’t.

As for Aaron Rodgers, he’d obviously be a better option than Mason Rudolph, but it’s clear he’d rather spend his offseason on vacations and Joe Rogan appearances than actually preparing for football. The Steelers need stability, not a quarterback who treats the offseason like a sabbatical.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Ok, how about some flag planting:

ARod signs…

O/U:
• Wins 9.5
• PaTD 27.5
• Int 10.5
• PaYd 3800
• Games Started 15.5

Who’s feeling bold? Want to plant some flags, @Joe Bryant ? Seems like you’re the biggest ARod / Steelers plan defender here.

Plant those flags!

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Ok, how about some flag planting:

ARod signs…

O/U:
• Wins 9.5
• PaTD 27.5
• Int 10.5
• PaYd 3800
• Games Started 15.5

Who’s feeling bold? Want to plant some flags, @Joe Bryant ? Seems like you’re the biggest ARod / Steelers plan defender here.

Plant those flags!

Under on all.

That Artie Smith offense won't allow for him to throw more than 10 picks/throw for that many yards or TDs.

If they're fortunate, the team will Tomlin their way to another 9-8 year and get trucked by Enter Team Name Here (doesn't matter who it is. Pretty much all their playoff opponents have done it since 2017).

ETA: The most "Tomlin" thing ever in this scenario would be for Rodgie to sign tomorrow, play 13 games as a decent (but overpaid) "game manager" type before getting injured. Rudolph replaces for the rest of the year, goes 1-2-1...and the team winds up 8-8-1. "TOMLIN KEEPS STREAK ALIVE!" is stamped at the top of every local rag and a bunch of yinzers schedule a parade down Butler Street from Blawnox to Lawrenceville.

 

[eighsse2]

Ok, how about some flag planting:

ARod signs…

O/U:
• Wins 9.5 UNDER
• PaTD 27.5 OVER
• Int 10.5 UNDER
• PaYd 3800 OVER
• Games Started 15.5 OVER

Who’s feeling bold? Want to plant some flags, @Joe Bryant ? Seems like you’re the biggest ARod / Steelers plan defender here.

Plant those flags!

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Ok, how about some flag planting:

ARod signs…

O/U:
• Wins 9.5 UNDER
• PaTD 27.5 OVER
• Int 10.5 UNDER
• PaYd 3800 OVER
• Games Started 15.5 OVER

Who’s feeling bold? Want to plant some flags, @Joe Bryant ? Seems like you’re the biggest ARod / Steelers plan defender here.

Plant those flags!

Wow - that will be one impressive season.

He’s gonna do all that but not win 10 games? With that defense?

 

[eighsse2]

Ok, how about some flag planting:

ARod signs…

O/U:
• Wins 9.5 UNDER
• PaTD 27.5 OVER
• Int 10.5 UNDER
• PaYd 3800 OVER
• Games Started 15.5 OVER

Who’s feeling bold? Want to plant some flags, @Joe Bryant ? Seems like you’re the biggest ARod / Steelers plan defender here.

Plant those flags!

Wow - that will be one impressive season.

He’s gonna do all that but not win 10 games? With that defense?

Eh, those aren't really lofty numbers, well above average though.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Ok, how about some flag planting:

ARod signs…

O/U:
• Wins 9.5 UNDER
• PaTD 27.5 OVER
• Int 10.5 UNDER
• PaYd 3800 OVER
• Games Started 15.5 OVER

Who’s feeling bold? Want to plant some flags, @Joe Bryant ? Seems like you’re the biggest ARod / Steelers plan defender here.

Plant those flags!

Wow - that will be one impressive season.

He’s gonna do all that but not win 10 games? With that defense?

Eh, those aren't really lofty numbers, well above average though.

They seem lofty for a 41 soon to be 42 y/o

 

[Joe Bryant]

Ok, how about some flag planting:

ARod signs…

O/U:
• Wins 9.5
• PaTD 27.5
• Int 10.5
• PaYd 3800
• Games Started 15.5

Who’s feeling bold? Want to plant some flags, @Joe Bryant ? Seems like you’re the biggest ARod / Steelers plan defender here.

Plant those flags!

Las Vegas currently has them at 8.5 wins. 9.5 with Rodgers sounds about right.

Yardage and TD and INT are about what he did last year. I think he could be better this year with another year past major injury but he's also a year older.

15.5 games feels hopeful for a 41/42 year old QB.

 

[Joe Bryant]

It's still obviously way early but right now with no team this is how we're projecting him. https://www.footballguys.com/projections/duration/preseason

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

15.5 games feels hopeful for a 41/42 year old QB.

Ah, but there’s the rub - how’s he going to hit those numbers playing less than 16 games? Seems like he’d really have to be at (or near) the top of his game for that.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

It's still obviously way early but right now with no team this is how we're projecting him. https://www.footballguys.com/projections/duration/preseason

Interesting - yardage much lower than I expected. Are those your projections or FBG staff aggregate?

Interesting to see him below the likes of Cam Ward, JJ McCarthy, and Sam Darnold, too. Basically he's ranked dead last among QB expected to be full time starters all season (only ahead of guys like ARich, Danny Dimes, Russ, Flacco, etc)

 

[Joe Bryant]

It's still obviously way early but right now with no team this is how we're projecting him. https://www.footballguys.com/projections/duration/preseason

Interesting - yardage much lower than I expected. Are those your projections or FBG staff aggregate?

Interesting to see him below the likes of Cam Ward, JJ McCarthy, and Sam Darnold, too. Basically he's ranked dead last among QB expected to be full time starters all season (only ahead of guys like ARich, Danny Dimes, Russ, Flacco, etc)

Staff aggregate with no team yet. Talking with Matt Waldman today and he's thinking 3800ish range with Pittsburgh.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Talking with Matt Waldman today and he's thinking 3800ish range with Pittsburgh.

funny - another member thought my 9.5 wins was too close to call.

Waldman is right at the number I chose above.

Maybe I should be working in Vegas.