PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There is something to consider if quarterback Justin Fields continues to lead the Steelers to wins and continues his personal improvement. What is he going to cost?
Fields is a free agent after this season since the team declined his fifth-year option in May.
“If I’m (GM) Omar (Khan), I go into Art (Rooney) and ask ‘what are you willing to pay this guy’ because if he continues on this trajectory you are talking 40-50 million,” said former Bills GM Doug Whaley on the Fan Morning Show. “Are we ready to do that?”
Admittedly it may still be a little early to ask that question, but Whaley said these are the things you think of when you are the general manager. He said Khan, Rooney and others will have discussions on what puts the Steelers in the best position to compete for championships, not just this year, but in subsequent years?
“If you are not, then what the next step,” Whaley said during his segment on 93.7 The Fan. “Do you throw Russell Wilson in there and maybe lose a couple of games for the future? Meaning, then you take Fields off the playing field so you don’t have to pay him as much.”
“You hope Wilson plays well and keeps you winning, but do you sacrifice this year for the eye on the future. You keep the cost down and you know you have the guy.”
Then Whaley said you have to make sure what Fields is doing, if he would continue to do it, is exactly what the coaching staff wants. So, if they were to invest in Fields, and the Steelers don’t sign or negotiate with players in-season to avoid distractions, is this what you want going forward in terms of style of play?
Clearly so far Fields is taking advantage of the opportunity. The door was open due to the injury to Russell Wilson and he’s won three games and is winning over his Steelers teammates.
Again, probably early to say that right now, but Whaley said it’s not too early to have those conversations. It’s about continuing, and improving, on recent overall success for the organization.
Whaley relayed a story when he worked for GM Kevin Colbert with the Steelers. He said in an offseason after Tom Brady and the Pats won a second or third championship, Colbert had the front office sit and watch tape of Brady in college. The goal was to figure out what they missed in not drafting him. They watched games of him at Michigan and then his performance at the combine.
The immediate reaction from the group is you would have given the grade NFL scouts gave him about his physical limitations.
What they realized his how he always seemed to find a way to not only keep his job, but win.
“When Fields left Chicago, everybody in that locker room loved that guy,” Whaley said with Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson Wednesday. “Lay down and take a bullet for that guy. It’s showing in his play now. He just needed to be in circumstances that could help foster his ability.”
It’s about his internal drive. Whaley believes Fields has some of those traits, while not saying he’s Brady. At what point do you think you’ve seen enough to know he’s your future? Then how do you try and get out front with an agreement when other teams potentially come calling.
Speculation right now, but insight into what a former NFL GM and Steelers front-office employee said of what is likely going on in the Steelers offices.