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Steelers free agency live chat and analysis
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Brian Batko
12:24
For Fields, I'd think a two or three-year deal. And if the Steelers are going to win a bidding war for him, I imagine you structure it in a way that it's back-loaded so that both sides can benefit. He plays well, the Steelers find a franchise QB and are happy to pay him accordingly. He falters, the Steelers can move on relatively painlessly.
Sesn
12:26
Fields hopefully on a 3 year deal with a bunch of incentives. And he gets guarantee he is the starter
Brian Batko
12:26
Yep, I think assuring him he's the guy (unlike last year) would and should go a long way, as well.
Seven
12:28
Is there such a thing as a "pre-tampering" period? I mean, is there a chance that the Steelers know they have a leg up in the Darnold sweepstakes through his agent, and that is why they went big on the receiver?
Brian Batko
12:29
Well, technically, teams aren't permitted to contact the agent of a player set to become a free agent until 28 minutes ago. But let's be honest: There are ways to back-channel and figure things out. Unless you believe the deals that already have been made today were hammered out in 6, 15, 20 minutes, etc.
62 Stack Monster
12:30
How will the offense change this year for a big play guy like Metcalf to flourish? The offense rarely breaks 20 points a game
Brian Batko
12:32
Something tells me the goal is to score 20-plus points more than eight times this season with Metcalf in the fold. As for how it will change, that's sort of chicken-egg. The threat of Metcalf on the outside should loosen up defenses to help the run game flourish. But if a team is willing to play him 1-on-1, then the Steelers better have a line that can protect for enough time to give a QB a chance to get the ball to him.
Surly in sheraden
12:33
What can they realistically get if they trade Pickens, a 2nd (or maybe a 3rd)?   Pickens talent is unquestioned, but his attitude and his fit with Metcalf are questionable.  Wouldn’t adding a Cooper Kupp type be a better complement to Metcalf?
Brian Batko
12:35
From what I've heard, Cooper Kupp has a couple target destinations and they're places with good-to-great QB play, good-to-great offensive coaching and a need for a veteran receiver. So I didn't think he was coming here even before last night. But you're right that Pickens and his reputation are well known around the league. That won't make it easy to move him.
12:37
Folks, our Gerry Dulac is reporting the Steelers are getting close to a deal with Aaron Rodgers, per sources.
Chill Dave
12:38
Uggh
KB
12:38
The longer it takes the Steelers to get a QB under contract, does it make you feel it’s not one of the current QB’s?
Brian Batko
12:39
Furthermore, Gerry reports that Fields and his desire to test the open market has led to the Steelers talking with Rodgers and Darnold. So, yes, probably fair to say there was a lack of desire on both sides to make that work when they had time to do so.
Bill in SF
12:39
Fields posting from Dubai seems to indicate he is planning to enjoy this FA period and in no rush to sign anywhere.  Is he over-reading his leverage or is he really thinking that going to the Jets is a great idea?
Brian Batko
12:41
Look at it from the Fields perspective, Bill. He was 4-2 when Tomlin pivoted away from him. Yes, Russell Wilson was the "starter" so you can argue Fields wasn't "benched." But any way you cut it, Tomlin decided another guy gave them a better chance to win, which in turn is a commentary on his belief in Fields (or lack thereof). And if he does indeed go to the Jets, he has a new head coach in Aaron Glenn (who likely has some time to get things turned around and commit to a QB) and an OC in Tanner Engstrand who was the passing game coordinator for the Lions. Oh, and his old Ohio State friend Garrett Wilson catching passes.
Error Rodgers
12:42
NOOOOOOOOOO!
Jack in CT
12:42
Brian, can’t stand Roger’s!!!   Would almost cause me to take the year off
Butch
12:42
They sign Rodgers, draft would look like Rounds:  1) DL or CB 2) Traded 3) QB --Dart, McCord or someone of that ilk.
Brian Batko
12:43
That's a good point, Butch, I think this actually makes it more likely the Steelers use a high pick on a quarterback. Say, second or third round. Because you do have to plan for life after the QB who will be 42 in December.
Jay
12:43
Do the Steelers care at all about polarizing players like Rodgers. In my forty plus years of being a Steelers fan, he is one of the top players I can’t see supporting and actually not wearing my Steelers fan gear while he is on the team.
Brian Batko
12:44
I mean, polarizing means he's going to have some who love him and some who hate him, right? Though I'm actually not sure how likable Rodgers is at this point. I know this, though, if he wins games people in that city will like him all of a sudden.
Mark
12:45
Hello, Why would the Steelers target another non mobile player past his prime?
Brian Batko
12:47
And also someone who infamously missed minicamp last year for the Jets because of a pre-planned offseason trip? Yeah, there are concerns here, Mark. But maybe in these talks/meetings they've gotten assurances that won't be the case if he signs here. I do not know. It's too early to say.
TDD
12:48
Bringing in Rodgers, another head case, just what we need-NOT!
Brian Batko
12:48
I'll say this much, if it is indeed happening: People wanted change - big change. People clamored for the Steelers to stop being stagnant and make a splash. Bringing in Aaron Rodgers, and uniting him with DK Metcalf? That's a major, major splash.
Chip
12:51
With 2 top receivers under contract can we expect more passing  (especially over the middle)?
DennisSC
12:52
Rodgers with a no audible system?!  Really?  Can't see that happening.
Brian Batko
12:53
Maybe. But a strong running game helps any QB and Aaron Rodgers knows that, too. What I do think could come to pass (pun intended) if the Steelers do this is an offense in which the Steelers, from Mike Tomlin to Arthur Smith, truly do have the utmost trust in their QB to make those changes at the line, to put the ball in harm's way, and so on.
Infantryman
12:53
You can sign the entire 2024 All Pro Team and the team will still be average. The team will be stuck in Neutral as long as Tomlin is coach.
Brian Batko
12:53
That seems like a bit of an exaggeration
Howmuch$$
12:55
What do you think the years and money would be for Rodgers?
Chip
12:56
Will the Steelers be more of a pass team now with addition of DJ Metcalf?
Brian Batko
12:56
I can't imagine giving him more than a couple years. As for money, maybe $30-$35 million per? That'd be a pay cut for him from his last Jets dealt but he's also older and appears to have significantly less of a market.
Steelman43
12:57
I agree with Infantryman, the last six years we've seen QB changes, coordinator changes, and offensive coach changes and the offense is still an embarrassment.  Why will Metcalf and Rodgers make a difference.
Christopher Carter
12:58
Chip: I do think DK Metcalf adds a serious playmaker in the pass game. But I don't think it makes them *more* of a passing team. The Eagles had AJ Brown and Devonta Smith with Jalen Hurts, and they still threw the fewest times in the NFL and ran it more than anyone else. And by all accounts, the Steelers are working to be like the Eagles.
Brian Batko
12:58
DK Metcalf is literally the best wide receiver they've had since Antonio Brown. Aaron Rodgers? Well, we'll see, but you can at least argue that he's better than late-stage Ben and the cast of characters who have rotated through since then.
Christopher Carter
1:00
Former Bills GM and Steelers pro personnel director Doug Whaley once did a show with me back in 2021 saying that he believed Art Rooney II would love to have Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers once Ben Roethlisberger retired. Who would've thought he might actually have both?
Steel Russel
1:00
Does the Aaron Rogers roadshow really fit into Mike Tomlin's style of coaching?  It seems like total disfunction would come to town with him.
Brian Batko
1:00
What do they have to lose, another playoff game?
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