Looking Forward to the 2021 AFC North

Not sure how that surprises you. Most people in here have known that for years. He hasn't lived up to his salary in several seasons - especially in the playoffs.

Finding QBs isn't as hard as it used to be. Just in the last five years:

Kirk Cousins free agency
Patrick Mahomes 10th pick
Deshaun Watson 12th pick
Josh Allen 7th pick
Lamar Jackson 32nd pick
Ryan Tannehill 4th round pick and 7 million
Justin Herbert 6th pick
Jordan Love 26th pick
Tom Brady free agency
Jameis Winston free agency
Sam Darnold 2nd, 4th and 6th
Carson Wentz 2nd and 3rd
Dwayne Haskins exclusive rights free agent?
Justin Fields 11th pick
Mac Jones 15th pick

Wouldn't say I'm a fan of every situation there but if the Steelers can trade up to #10 for a linebacker they can acquire a QB. Tomlin has a winning record with the likes of Charlie Batch, Dennis Dixon, Landry Jones, Duck Hodges and Mason Rudolph and a QB taking 12-15% of the salary cap on the bench.

I've never said they were bulletproof. I said use their history to guide you. Ben Roethlisberger has missed 39 games in his career and the Steelers are 22-17. And not to sound like a broken record but those are games in which the Steelers poured all their financial and preparatory resources into Ben being the guy. Imagine if they had a whole off-season and Ben's salary to spread around prior to playing those 39 games? Pretty good odds that they win more than 22. Even a modest improvement like 5 games makes the record 27-12.

I can't say I'm the biggest Rudolph fan but in a Week 17 meaningless game last year, several starters taking the week off and the Browns playing for their playoff lives he was a missed 2pt conversion from tying the game with a minute left. As for the rebuild comment I can only say... in your dreams. There is too much young talent on that roster.

I saw a guy with a dead arm at the end of last season. Will that happen again? None of us know. But he had shortened off-season to get his arm in shape and then went out and threw it 600 times in 15 games. I'd like to see that number in the 450-500 range. So do the Steelers. Another year post-surgery is typically better for athletes. Only time will tell. Where's Gmiller when you need him?

Last but not least...

The Steelers have 45 players on the roster next year and a projected 75 million in cap space. T.J.'s deal will take a small portion of that and they have a couple guys they may want to bring back but for the first time in a really long time they will have options.

 

Fact: Mason Rudolph and Ben Roethlisberger will play their final seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. Ol' Stars 'n Bars Rudolph can take his pointy hood to some other franchise after this year and Ben can retire.

Fact: The next franchise QB for the Steelers is probably not even draft eligible yet.

Fact: Mike Tomlin can get the team to 9-10 wins with an improved defense (in the works) and competent veteran play from his quarterback. He doesn't need to grab the successor to Ben in the 2022 Draft.'

 

Agreed. And as I just posted, I don't know that the Steelers need to take the rookie QB right away. There would be plenty of veterans/trade casualties to choose from. I'm sure they'll trust their scouts and front office and make the determination that if the guy is there, they'll get him. If not, they won't panic and grab best available.

The "panic and grab one" had been Cleveland's M.O. from Couch-to-Mayfield. We've only twice taken a guy who was our first choice. Unsurprisingly, in both cases they took us to the Playoffs.

 

Technically, Kelly Holcomb took us to the playoffs - not Couch.

Unless you're saying Holcomb was our first choice of UFA's.

 

They already extended Mason through 2022.

 

Gross.

 

Mason Rudolph and Nick Bosa:



And I'm sorry... the use of what?!

 

How is this just now finding the light of day? I’ve never heard of this.

what shocks me the most, this was written in the 90’s, not the 50’s.

 

Unbelievable...

Was this inspired by the musings of Al Campanis, or what?

 

The best part about RB#1's "pass" here is it's coming from the team's official account. Meaning that was likely the best one all day.

 

Have a great summer Browns fans! We chase it down in 21!

In all honesty, I don't read the majority of your input...And considering how many times we have butted heads, I'm really surprised that that surprises you.

 

Well if admitting time after time that the Steelers are the best run franchise in sports during my lifetime isn't good enough for ya, than so be it....

Times are changing though my friend....

 

Watkins is on his fourth team. He doesn’t have a clue about shit. Probably still thinks he is great living off his college career. The Steelers got the better Clemson WR in that draft and if weed wasn’t illegal back then he would still be the better one

 

I'm old enough to remember when people hated PFF.com coming out because they didn't care for analytics mixed with their football.

Now, I'm here hating PFF.com because of the nonsense and over-sensationalized "hot takes" simply to get views and engagement. This lede is bonafide trash.

Without even thinking hard about it...

Garrett/Clowney
T.J. Watt/Tuitt
Young/Sweat
Barrett/Pierre-Paul
Donald/*insert literally anyone*

 

I wonder if their ranking would have been the same had the Steelers managed to hold on to Dupree

 

Not sensationalized enough. Better to go with the guys who logged a combined 6.0 sacks in 2020 to set the ground for the "best pass rush duo" debate.

 

Dear #Ravens fans... here's what a real quarterback and true premier receiver look like in practice:

 

I guess that settles it. The football gods have spoken...

 

Of course. He needs an out when it comes time to face the Browns this sesaon. He's heard the Garrett/Clowney reports.