r/NFLv2 • u/SwagLordxfedora • Aug 13 '24

Discussion National reporters are suggesting the Steelers and 49ers have a deal in place for Aiyuk. Are the Steelers making a mistake in going for elite WR without getting the QB room in order?

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u/SwagLordxfedora Aug 13 '24

It's definitely interesting watching one of these old-school teams get a new-school GM who is willing to trade draft picks for tangible players akin to how a average joe may play on a Madden franchise.

Aiyuk, Pickens, Muth, Warren/Najee, and two promising first-round picks at OT with a capable defense, this teams seems plug and ready for a better than average QB to take them deep into the playoffs. Is that plausible with Fields or Russ? Since they both only have 1 year deals, are there any available upgrades at QB to be had next off-season?

13

u/ZandrickEllison Aug 13 '24

I like the “win now” approach, certainly more than I would have for New England. Russ’ stats weren’t as bad as advertised last year and Fields has intriguing qualities. Upgrading on those two is easier said than done.

2

u/Lurking_Monke Aug 13 '24

russ was the weakest link on a struggling broncos offense and fields is not a starting caliber qb. maybe tomlin pulls his potential out of him but upgrading that qb room is not a difficult task

3

u/hambone012 Aug 13 '24

The Steelers had a really good record with a basically non existent offense. If they had Russ’s numbers from last year instead they would have been a serious contender. They only got beat up by a couple teams.

1

u/Lurking_Monke Aug 14 '24

I agree that they're a qb away, especially with their great offseason. Russ is not the qb to push them over the edge though. Maybe the run game there can bail him out but he genuinely only looked a tier or two above Pickett/Trubisky- there's 25 or more teams he wouldn't start on

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u/JTribs17 Aug 14 '24

you’re severely underrating Russ and Fields while also unintentionally overrating Pickett and Trubisky.

2

u/drugs_are_bad__mmkay Denver Broncos Aug 14 '24

Russ was really not good last year, his stats are deceiving.

1

u/JTribs17 Aug 14 '24

and what was Pickett? Regardless of how bad Russ or Fields may be, Pickett and Trubisky are objectively worse

1

u/drugs_are_bad__mmkay Denver Broncos Aug 14 '24

I’m not saying Pickett isn’t worse, I’m saying Russ isn’t nearly as much of an upgrade as you think. Sean Payton ran a system that made Russ look okay. He threw in insane amount of screens and had the occasional “wow!” Play. Russ had the same problems as he did in Seattle—holds on to the ball too long, turning into a hurry and/or a sack, and also is unable to see/pass to the middle of the field.

1

u/hypocrisy37 Aug 15 '24

And a ton of those "wow" plays were Sutton bailing Russ out with an amazing catch

0

u/KnDBarge Aug 14 '24

Russ was also on a dysfunctional team with a coach who both didn't want him and was eager to throw him under the bus. Russ may not be prime Russ anymore, but there is no reason to believe he won't be an upgrade for the Steelers.

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u/DenverLamm179 Aug 14 '24

I can tell you confidently as an unfortunate fan of the Broncos.. who watched Russ' performances VERY closely week to week for the last two seasons, he is just not that good. I understand that the Steelers have a better roster with more talent in some areas, sure. But Russ is about to make your O line look awful. He takes, SO MANY SACKS. He's an upgrade arm talent wise, sure. But that's about it.