Steelers 2024 Offseason Thread

[count2infinity]

[dodint]

The Steelers QB coach, Tom Arth, has the same number of seasons under his belt (2) as KSP and one less than Fields (3).

[Trip McNeely]

Justin Fields is up for his fifth year option in 2025 which will be upwards of 21 million.

So Schefter thinks because Tomlin “likes him” we are gonna give up a second rounder for a guy we essentially would need to make a decision on in 1 year?

Yea that’s not happening

[Blue Canary]

BREAKING NEWS FROM Adam Schefter.

More like Adam Schefter breaking from news.

[Morkle]

Only way Fields comes here is for a 4th and below I figure.

[Rylan]

Yea, I think Fields could be interesting, but you arent sending a high value pick for a project QB when you have a project QB at home. Fields has shown more in the league, but not in Pittsburgh and not enough to figure out if you need to pick up the player option...

[LITT]

bringing justin fields here is a great example of a terrible idea

[Morkle]

I also wonder if the Bears would just out-right cut him. I can't figure anytime is signing up for 22 million to see what he is.

[Rylan]

I disagree that its a terrible idea in the abstract. But when you have to assume costs to acquire and keep...it does become a bit more untenable.

[count2infinity]

Fields isn't an option IMO. If you're bringing someone in to challenge Kenny, it either needs to be an unknown (draft) or a known capable NFL QB. Fields is a known incapable NFL QB.

[Rylan]

Kirk Cousins or bust.

[Morkle]

Only problem with Cousins is he wants megabucks still. I see the Rodgers dilemma, giving him the money pre-injury, but Cousins would 1000% not get near that money going into final contract.

[Morkle]

I am out on the fields trade anyways. I like the idea of Tannehill, but would probably just prefer Rudolph - because I don't know who signs him expecting him to be a starter in this league, if not the Steelers.

[Pavel Bure]

Cousins was the way to go when Ben was about done. Then IMO Carr could have probably been gotten for cheap because Gruden gonna Gruden. Now, every QB out there is going to be expensive except maybe Tannehill but I gotta tell ya. Do. Not. Want.

[Troy Loney]

Hopefully Rudolph sees this situation as the cleanest path to playing time (beat out Pickett in training camp).

I have faith in at least a league average offense with smith and a run first game plan and competent play calling/design.

Draft the Oregon center and turn one of the biggest weaknesses into a strength. The excessively large disadvantage the Steelers had every game at OC and C can be cleaned up so easily. Fix the depth issues on defense, then otherwise run it back.

Baltimore and Cleveland are going to take steps back, but cincy will be a force. Definitely a playoff team next year.

[skullman80]

Hopefully Rudolph sees this situation as the cleanest path to playing time (beat out Pickett in training camp).

I have faith in at least a league average offense with smith and a run first game plan and competent play calling/design.

Draft the Oregon center and turn one of the biggest weaknesses into a strength. The excessively large disadvantage the Steelers had every game at OC and C can be cleaned up so easily. Fix the depth issues on defense, then otherwise run it back.

Baltimore and Cleveland are going to take steps back, but cincy will be a force. Definitely a playoff team next year.

I feel like I read a few days ago that Rudolph has pretty much decided he wanted a fresh start somewhere else. I could be imagining that though.

[Morkle]

If I'm Rudolph I want it in my contract that I am going to get a fair competition to beat out Kenny, because at this point, he absolutely could and already did.

[Ad@m]

Is Araiza still suspended, or can he sign with any team?

[Dickie Dunn]

I imagine Rudolph feels like he was dicked around and over by this organization and probably showed enough at the end of the season to get a similar chance elsewhere.

[Morkle]

What would those teams be though?

Arizona? Oakland maybe? Carolina? Chicago as insurance to #1 pick? I don't know how many teams have that similar need

[Troy Loney]

If Rudolph feels like that and wants to go, then that's fine.

The organization fouled by bringing in Trubisky, not by drafting Pickett. Pickett was also not terrible as a rookie, and won games with that '22 team.

Rudolph and Pickett both provide mid ceilings, and Rudolph probably showed us his ceiling last year. That's first round exit quality, more or less.

[Troy Loney]

What would those teams be though?

Arizona? Oakland maybe? Carolina? Chicago as insurance to #1 pick? I don't know how many teams have that similar need

Denver

[LITT]

Fields isn't an option IMO. If you're bringing someone in to challenge Kenny, it either needs to be an unknown (draft) or a known capable NFL QB. Fields is a known incapable NFL QB.

[dodint]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Harvin back in camp to compete for the job unless they sign a legitimate veteran punter.

It looks like they're sniffing around Matt Araiza. For those curious of his current rape allegation status, there were no criminal charges and the accuser has dropped the civil suit.

The San Diego County District Attorney's Office did not file criminal charges against Araiza or the other two teammates, stating, "Ultimately, prosecutors determined it is clear the evidence does not support the filing of criminal charges and there is no path to a potential criminal conviction".[34] Prior to the announcement, the office met with the accuser and her attorney to discuss their decision to not press charges.[35] Based on a witness and other information, the district attorney's office stated that Araiza could not have been involved as he had "left the party at 12:30 [am]",[36][37] about 30 minutes before the first of about nine short videos of sex acts of the alleged encounter.[35] The accuser's lawyer said that the witness was a "buddy".[36] Araiza does not appear in the videos, each less than 10 seconds long.[35][36] According to the accuser's lawyer, police had the accuser make a pretext phone call to Araiza wherein he admitted that they had sex, which he said was consensual, claimed that the accuser lied to him about her age[38][39] and said that he remained outside afterwards "for the rest of the party."[39] On July 28, 2023, Araiza filed a defamation lawsuit against his accuser.[40]

On December 12, 2023, Araiza and his accuser mutually agreed to drop their respective lawsuits against each other with neither party admitting any wrongdoing and no money changing hands. Araiza still retains the right to sue his accuser's lawyer, Dan Gilleon.[41]

I've always been weary of civil cases against celebrities/deep pockets when there is no underlying criminal action. In this case the alleged rape was reported the next morning but despite the immediacy of the allegation no evidence could be produced.

I'm fine with a potential signing, looking forward to Cleveland fans having a glorious lack of self-awareness about it.

[nocera]