EXCLUSIVE: Steelers Urged To Consider Former Ravens OC, Potential Blockbuster QB Trade
Robert Mays of The Athletic suggested that the Pittsburgh Steelers should think about acquiring a former first-round quarterback and matching him up with the offensive coordinator of a previous opponent.
The NFL season for 2023 has four weeks left in it. However, a lot of teams have already started to hear rumors, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have an injury behind center and a vacancy as offensive coordinator.
In light of this, Robert Mays of The Athletic proposed some intriguing alterations for Pittsburgh at both important positions.
“Hey, we did the Kenny Pickett thing, even though we didn’t put him in the best position, but we still think this isn’t our best path forward, big swing and try to go get somebody like this?” Mays said on The Athletic Football Show on December 14.” the Steelers would conclude.
Justin Fields, a former first-round selection of the Chicago Bears, was the quarterback Mays was referring to as “someone like this.”
The Steelers had previously been floated as a possible landing spot for Fields. On November 29, Matt Lombardo of FanBuzz described the Steelers as “a bit of a wild card” club.
But Mays’ conjecture went a step farther. Mays suggested the Steelers consider a candidate for offensive coordinator in addition to trading for Fields.
If you’re choosing a coordinator to work with for this, I have an intriguing name for you. Greg Roman,” Mays remarked to Chase Daniels, co-host and former NFL quarterback.
From 2019 until 2022, Roman was the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. With Roman as his play caller, quarterback Lamar Jackson won regular season MVP in 2019.
How Justin Fields Would Fit Into the Steelers’ Offense Under Greg Roman
Some supporters may find it hard to believe that the Steelers would look at changing both the offensive coordinator and the quarterback simultaneously. Since Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie season in 2004, Pittsburgh has not had a new offensive coordinator and a starting quarterback who wasn’t on the roster the year before.
However, Pittsburgh could use significant offensive adjustments given that the Steelers are 27th in offensive yards and haven’t finished higher than 23rd in total offense since 2018.
The Steelers fans should find it intriguing that Fields would be a part of the same offense that Jackson won MVP honors with.
Fields’ hesitation as a passer is still too great, according to Mays. Nonetheless, in his three NFL seasons, the former first-round selection has shown to be a playmaker.
Fields has amassed 2,021 yards and 12 touchdowns in 36 NFL games with the rush. With an average of 7.1 yards per rush the previous season, he led the NFL.
With Roman calling plays, Jackson amassed 1,206 running yards in 2019 and had a league-high 6.9 yards per rush average in addition to 7 rushing touchdowns. In 2019, Jackson also passed for 36 touchdowns, which led the NFL.
Fields has completed 36 games with 37 touchdown passes and 27 interceptions. His completion percentage is 60.9%, and he has averaged 7 yards per pass attempt.
After the 2022 season, Roman resigned from his position as offensive coordinator for the Ravens due to harsh criticism. Roman was unable to elevate the Ravens’ passing game to a championship caliber, even with Jackson’s individual brilliance.
However, Mays contended that Roman is still a fantastic offensive coordinator prospect for a team trying to develop a new offensive identity and running-style quarterback.
Does QB Kenny Pickett’s tenure with the Steelers end?
Mays’ Fields-Roman theory is intriguing, but the Steelers would need to give up on Kenny Pickett for it to become more than just a silly theory.
It’s hard to predict for sure if the Steelers will take that action in the offseason.
Pickett has performed so poorly that the Steelers may consider adding a quarterback in the offseason. In 24 NFL starts, Pickett has only produced one 300-yard game and one multi-touchdown pass effort.
Pickett has only thrown six touchdown passes in 12 games this season, despite not making any mistakes.
On December 12, NFL insider Peter King asserted on 93.7 The Fan that the Steelers might challenge Pickett in the quarterback competition the following season. However, King mentioned the possibility of an addition through free agency or the NFL draft.
It seems unlikely that any team that gives up draft picks to get Fields will view him as their sole rival.
Fields’ offense would have to be planned around him, and the acquiring team would almost certainly choose to pick up his fifth-year option.
Until they decide that Pickett is no longer the solution at center, the Steelers won’t be that team.
