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Steelers free agency live chat and analysis
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AvatarPost-Gazette sports
11:45
Happy Monday, Steelers fans. Today is the "legal tampering" phase of free agency so we should see deals rolling out starting in 15 minutes!
11:46
A quick note that Christopher Carter will be joining later to chat and give his analysis, while Brian Batko is busy talking to people about the great Craig Wolfley, who sadly died at 66. You can read about Wolf here while we wait for the news of the day.
Error Rodgers
11:47
Someone please tell me that Aaron Rodgers as our starting QB is not the best idea in the Steelers' braintrust. He's 41 and IMMOBILE.
AvatarPost-Gazette sports
11:48
The immobile factor is one of the bigger reasons we are skeptical of him joining the Steelers. Tomlin has made it clear in recent years he really values mobility in quarterbacks. Of course, Russell Wilson wasn't exactly Mike Vick last season, so all options can be on the table, it seems
Brian Batko
11:49
Hi all, I'm here. In 12 minutes, the Steelers and all 31 other teams can begin negotiating with free agents. Wednesday is when deals can be made official
Dan
11:50
As a long time Steeler season ticketholder, I usually have a sense of what the Steelers plans are for the upcoming season. Not this year! Not excited for either Darnold or Rogers at QB. Do you prefer Wilson's passing ability or Fields's athleticism? Can OC and DC get the most out of their respective units and will MT allow them to do their jobs? Maybe some of these questions will be answered by noon today.
Brian Batko
11:51
I'm still in the Justin Fields camp myself. And I really do not think Russell Wilson will be back. Just seemed to be too much of a disconnect between him and the coaching staff, particularly Arthur Smith, by the end of last season.
Lenny from NY
11:51
Love the Metcalf trade. Now sign Slayton and trade Pickens for a second round pick
Brian Batko
11:52
What this means for George Pickens is certainly a question. I got the sense that he was wearing people down in that building with his antics last season. If nothing else, this gives the Steelers flexibility to deal with the next wave of Pickens drama however they see fit. He doesn't have that leverage anymore.
11:53
That "you need me" leverage, that is.
Mike from NY
11:54
It seems hard to believe, but can they really go with 6 different QBs since Ben retired? Trubisky, Rudolph, Pickett, Fields, Wilson and now someone else? I may have missed somebody! It seems you need to have some consistency
Christopher Carter
11:54
Like Brian, I'm in the Justin Fields camp. But I also think it's important that for whoever they get, to not overspend on a mid-level quarterback. The priority should be to build the best roster you can. Overspending on a QB and that taking away your resources to get, say a starting cornerback, would miss the point of this offseason.
Brian Batko
11:55
No one has ever accused the Steelers of not putting enough emphasis on stability, but I hear you, Mike. But this is part of being in QB no man's land.
DJ
11:55
Who would you rather Pitt have Fields or Darnold?
Brian Batko
11:57
Personally, I've never been a big Sam Darnold believer. And to me, last year was a product of his environment in Minnesota with good coaching, talent around him, playing indoors, etc. I can understand the notion that dealing for DK Metcalf means you might want a more pure passer, but I also am not writing off Fields in that respect just yet either. It's not like he has a weak arm.
MrCJJr
11:58
Soooo...who wears #14? grinning Is this a sign that Pickens may be traded?
Brian Batko
11:59
Kinda wild that DK has worn 14 since his high school days. I don't believe Pickens had any attachment to the number at all; he wanted 1, of course. Maybe the Steelers can let a non-QB/K/P wear single-digit again like they did for Patrick Queen in a near-unprecedented move last offseason. DK No. 4?
Stairway to seventh seed
12:00
Has it ever been reported that Tomlin has ever said "I was wrong"?  And is his lack of saying that to Fields the reason the Steelers won't get the QB of their choice?
Brian Batko
12:01
He takes responsibility for certain things, but there's no way around his mismanagement (or at least odd management) of the QB position post-Ben. Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph probably all felt like Mike Tomlin did them dirty at some point. And who could blame Fields if he puts himself on that list now, too? This goes beyond QBs, as well. Melvin Ingram. James Harrison. Hard to square that with the usual platitude from players about how Tomlin is always transparent and sometimes brutally honest with his guys.
JPinPDX
12:02
Please tell me there’s no fire behind the Rodgers smoke!!
Brian Batko
12:03
I don't know, JP. What I will say is I've heard Rodgers is interested in coming here, but then again, he's probably interested in just about anyone employing him for his services in 2025. So that might not be saying much. Someone like Matthew Stafford, however, it was reported that he wasn't willing to be traded to Pittsburgh.
Jersey Steel
12:04
Hi - What are the odds that Justin Fields signs with the Steelers today and who has the next highest odds if not Fields?
Brian Batko
12:05
This still strikes me as a situation where both sides are playing the game and they get something done. So, I'll give Fields a 51% chance, how's that? And next-highest, I'd go ... Aaron Rodgers. Slightly ahead of Sam Darnold, primarily because I think the Steelers would believe more in Darnold and Darnold will have more suitors than 41-year-old Rodgers.
Jason
12:06
Rumors flying about the Steelers are talking to Rodgers any truth behind it and what are your thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:09
If I were trying to spin the case for Rodgers, it'd be this:
  1. He can still sling it, as evidenced by his 28 touchdowns to 11 picks and 229 passing yards per game last season
  2. He'll be motivated to show the Jets and the rest of the NFL he's not done yet
  3. The Steelers will have a good enough run game and defense that he won't need to be Superman like he once was
  4. Even if it's one year, it's one good shot at winning for Cam Heyward and TJ Watt
Pittfan
12:13
Hi Brian. I'm a Daniel Jones fan. He has had more success than Fields and played quite well when he had a weapons (Saquon) and a good offensive line. He's mobile and smart.
AvatarPost-Gazette sports
12:13
Just upping a rare vote for Daniel Jones here ^^^
Hilt
12:14
Maybe as a backup
Stan
12:14
Think we know by days end?
AvatarPost-Gazette sports
12:14
We can only hope
JPinPDX
12:14
Are we missing the mark in hanging on to Larry O while other, healthier, cheaper options (Godchaux) could have been had for a 7th round pick?
AvatarPost-Gazette sports
12:15
Godchaux is purely a run-stuffer, which of course the Steelers could use, as well. But if you were hoping for some interior pass rush, you wouldn't get it from him
Brian Batko
12:15
I was a little surprised myself they didn't flip a 7th for him, but perhaps the Steelers are higher on Larry Ogunjobi than the outside world.
JB
12:17
Is it just a recency fallacy I am experiencing, or does it seem as though the Steelers are beginning to operate “like everyone else” in terms if trades, free agency vs focusing on building a Steeler roster & culture through the draft?
Brian Batko
12:18
Not gonna lie, Omar Khan does kind of remind me of a teenager playing Madden sometimes when it comes to his roster moves. And to be clear, I'm not necessarily saying that's a good or bad thing, but it is different.
George T
12:19
What does this trade mean to George Pickens now with him being only a #2 WR. Do you think we will trade him for a draft pick? I think we can get a 3rd round pick for him.  And who will be the QB?
Brian Batko
12:20
As much as I would like to see Metcalf and Pickens coexist in an offense and how defenses would try to defend them, this addition is seismic for the roles in this passing game. And Pickens has caused enough headaches that yeah, I'd probably take a 3rd for him rather than banking on the possibility of him finally maturing going into his fourth season.
Hilt
12:21
The leaky offensive line will br Rodgers downfall. And Pgh can't afford him. He's too in love with himself.
Brian Batko
12:22
There's no doubt the off-the-field Rodgers distraction should be a factor. But in fairness to him, many former teammates give him glowing reviews as a locker room presence, leader, things of that nature. Just not sure Mike Williams would be among that many.
Jagged Toenails
12:23
If the Steelers sign Fields, what do you think the length of the contact would be? Also not an Aaron Rodgers fan but saw some Jets games last year and their protection was porous at best. Seemed like he was constantly under pressure. Think he could still perform with good protection (but hopefully not here)
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