JotCast | Steelers free agency live chat and analysis

Steelers free agency live chat and analysis

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Steve in Columbus

2:18

If they sign Rodgers to a deal worth $30M a year after trading for Metcalf, are they out of cap space?

Christopher Carter

2:18

No, but it certainly would take away the chance of signing a top-tier CB./

noname

2:18

Do they consult with key players like Heyward, Watt, maybe leaders on O before signing someone like Rodgers?

Christopher Carter

2:19

I think so. All were consulted about Russell Wilson.

Error Rodgers

2:19

(sorry if earlier question was missed), but how much do you think Rodgers would command on a 1-2 year deal?

Christopher Carter

2:19

I don't know what his value should be considering how poorly he's played of late.

2:20

But if I'm the Steelers I'm keeping him as close to the low 20s as possible. He's not making you a contender.

There it is: the Steelers have released Larry Ogunjobi.

2:21

Let's break that down: Larry Ogunjobi would've been a $10.5M cap hit. That's a lot of money for 1.5 sacks last year. Was a foregone conclusion that he should be gone, and it happens.

That frees up about $7M in cap space for the Steelers.

2:22

Without DK Metcalf's contract details, the Steelers were supposedly at $59.1M in cap space before Ogunjobi's cut.

2:23

Even if DK Metcalf's contract is a $30M cap hit this season (I doubt it's that high), that would still leave the Steelers with $36.1M to spend now with Ogunjobi's release.

George T

2:25

How short is the memory of Steeler fans. I remember the cast of characters we had between Terry and Ben. Great QB are not grown on trees

Christopher Carter

2:26

FA update: Sam Darnold is off the market. 3 years, $110.5M to the Seahawks.

2:30

So with Darnold gone, here's a look at presumptive QB options for the Steelers:
Justin Fields
Russell Wilson
Aaron Rodgers
Daniel Jones

Infantryman

2:31

Why couldn't we trade Tomlin for a 2nd round pick. I bet New Orleans would have been game for that deal.

Christopher Carter

2:33

Historically, the teams that trade away coaches often lose that deal. Colts traded Shula to the Dolphins, Miami became a powerhouse. Packers traded Mike Holmgren to the Seahawks and didn't win again for 15 years while Holmgren got Seattle to the SB. Jets sent Belichick to the Patriots and we know how that went. Jon Gruden traded from the Raiders to the Buccaneers and beat them in the SB.

Wayward

2:34

What is the Steelers cap situation after acquiring DK? If they do sign Rodgers what do you think the deal looks like

Christopher Carter

2:36

Now that they've cut Larry Ogunjobi, they're most likely at $66.1M before DK Metcalf's contract. We need to see the details on that deal and when the money would hit to be sure how much. But even if it hits as $30M this year--most likely lower--that would leave the Steelers with $36.1M.

Dave R

2:36

Congrats Chris Carter. That was the best football splash of the day. Born to be the Steelers Beat Reporter

Christopher Carter

2:36

Thank you Dave! I'm excited for this new chapter!

2:37

FA Update: The Steelers sign Darius Slay at CB.

Have to say, that's a surprise. Slay will be 34 years old this season and coming off a year he made zero interceptions.

2:38

Clearly QB is the Steelers' priority at this point, as it should be, but have you heard anything about any CBs or DL that the Steelers are pursuing?

Christopher Carter

2:38

Slay being a CB signing, I'm eager to find out those contract numbers.

RingMyKordell

2:39

Steelers going cheap at CB ... Darius Slay seems like another Patrick Peterson signing, agree?

Christopher Carter

2:39

I concur here. I thought the move would've been to get one of the actual top tier CBs in their prime. This screams of more of a bandaid.

THIS JUST IN: Justin Fields is going to the New York Jets.

2:40

Deal is reportedly 2 years, $40M with $30M guaranteed.

2:41

That means with Fields off the table, all eyes turn to Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers.

Bill in SF

2:45

$20M/yr, $30M guaranteed? Have to believe the Steelers offer wasn't anything approaching that, right?

Christopher Carter

2:46

Agreed Bill. As I've been stating, I think the Steelers' priority has been to find the right skill players and talent to make a strong roster rather than overpay for a mid-level QB.

Brian

2:48

Calling Fields "mid-level" is generous.

Christopher Carter

2:50

If I'm ranking available options:
Russell Wilson
Aaron Rodgers
Daniel Jones

Howmuch$$

2:51

But now they have to pay either Wilson or Rodgers.. maybe that’s why they signed Slay and not a top tier CB because they knew they were going to have to pay a QB bigger money than hoped for. Wilson/Rodgers have more leverage now too.

Christopher Carter

2:51

This is a decent theory.

Bill in SF

2:51

Confirms my earlier thinking that this was about a money grab for Fields rather than any hurt feelings about losing the starting job here. Can't blame him for that, since this may be his last chance to cash in if he doesn't finally put up a 1st round pick performance there.

Christopher Carter

2:51

100% Bill. He wants to get paid. That's what this was always about.

Wayward

2:54

Milton Williams headed to the Pats instead of Panthers. 4 yrs over $100M, that would have been too steep for the Steelers right?

Christopher Carter

2:54

Yeah $25M too steep a price IMO.

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