Man, Ryan Clark has become really good at this media thing. Like, super good.
When he transitioned from a player to part of the stinkin’ media, I didn’t think he’d be this good --- but he is. Clark is engaging, entertaining, informative and delivers everything in a manner that makes me want more from him. On top of that, he commands respect. He didn’t just play in the National Football League but was among the toughest dudes to do it as that’s what being a safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers entails.
Anyway, he got something wrong. Way off base.
You see, Clark appears weekly on “The PM Team” on our station and pushed the notion that the Steelers should make a play for Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is 30 and will enter the final season of his contract in 2022.
Why?
Why trade for a guy like that and use valuable player and/or draft resources to get him?
I ask you this: Are the Steelers just a quarterback away from being a very good team into 2022? You know and I know the answer is a definitive “no” and it really isn’t even much of a discussion. That said, there’s no way in the world the organization would benefit by shuttling off picks (and/or players) in exchange for a guy who might just be here a year but also carries only a 50-76 record and has reached the playoffs once.
Is that really a guy you want to pay a bunch of money to after you pay what it costs to simple seize his services?
No way.
Sorry Derek Carr.
Sorry Ryan Clark --- this plan just ain’t it.
I have a much better solution. Make quarterback the last thing you take care of. Sure, it is a quarterback-driven league, but there is so much more to fix with the Steelers (and they aren’t just a quarterback away) that it would be foolish to infuse a guy like Carr.
What the organization should do is play to their strengths. They need to build around running back Najee Harris and all-world pass rusher T.J. Watt. The Steelers need to fortify both lines and use multiple picks on the offensive line (and maybe also bring in a free agent) and also draft someone along the defensive line, at inside linebacker or at corner.
That is what needs to happen --- not chasing Derek Carr and continuing to go bare on the line.
That said, gut it out for a season. Go with Mason Rudolph as the starter at quarterback for a season and see where it gets you with Dwayne Haskins or Josh Dobbs serving as the backup.
And then when the 2023 Draft comes around, go ahead and see if you can snatch a good, high-round quarterback.
If not, grab one in free agency then. Heck --- a longshot here --- but maybe even Mason Rudolph will improve and show he commands another contract.
Those are all, to me at least, viable options. Bringing in a guy like Derek Carr? No thanks.