The Pittsburgh Steelers have discovered distinctive methods so as to add veteran quarterbacks on a budget. Final yr, Russell Wilson. This yr, Aaron Rodgers. Gamers who made much less, at the least from Pittsburgh, at well-below true market worth, main Professional Soccer Speak’s Mike Florio to name the Steelers a spoiled bunch.
“They’ve been spoiled in recent times,” Florio informed 93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi on Wednesday. “Now they needed to pay DK Metcalf, however they acquired a quarterback for $13 million: a high-end quarterback, all-time nice for $13 million. Final yr, they acquired Russell Wilson for the minimal. I imply, final yr they have been paying Russell Wilson, Kyle Allen, and Justin Fields lower than what Mason Rudolph had in Tennessee.”
Florio referenced Aditi Kinkhabwala’s feedback final week of somebody throughout the Steelers’ group reportedly telling T.J. Watt in the course of the 2021 negotiations that it’s a “privilege” to play for Pittsburgh.
This sense could possibly be emboldened by the final two offseason cycles. Wilson signed for the league minimal due to the Denver Broncos being on the hook for the remainder of his almost $40 million wage. Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh on a deal price underneath $15 million base worth, and even with each incentive reached, he nonetheless lands underneath $20 million. This can be a contract price roughly the identical as Daniel Jones and nice worth for Pittsburgh.
Whereas Florio factors out the Steelers opening their wallets for Metcalf, a five-year, $150 million deal, the staff had loads of money and cap to spend with out paying a quarterback large cash. Even Metcalf’s deal is structured favorably for the group with little ties past the 2026 season.
Pittsburgh hasn’t discovered an elite and even multi-year choice, however in contrast to different groups paying quarterbacks pennies, the Steelers have discovered extra serviceable choices in Justin Fields and Wilson. The staff upgraded from its 2023 choices, and arguably did the identical this offseason with Rodgers, a greater pure passer than final yr’s starters.
It’s unlikely Pittsburgh will spend large on the place for the foreseeable future, both. Drafting a quarterback early in subsequent yr’s draft might be a set (albeit totally assured) rookie deal. However even in a world the place the Steelers draft a passer with, say, the 14th general choose, that deal will price them roughly $21 million over 4 years—pennies in comparison with the now-common $50 million common yearly values for brand new franchise quarterback contracts.
In fact, the outdated saying rings true. You get what you pay for. Even with Pittsburgh getting truthful worth on team-friendly offers, the Steelers haven’t gotten the season outcomes they’re trying to find. Followers actually don’t really feel “spoiled” by the outcomes of continued one-and-done playoff outings.
