What I learned about the Steelers QB situation at the NFL Scouting Combine

I attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week, where I got a close look at many of the prospects who will be selected in this year’s draft. I’ll have an article out soon on which players I think would be the best fits in Pittsburgh. And, for a report on some of the players who impressed me in general, check out my “Call Sheet Daily” podcast from Monday in the player at the  bottom of the article.

The Combine isn’t just an opportunity to evaluate players, though. It’s a chance to catch up on all of the news, rumors, and rumblings about the NFL off-season. You have to choose your sources wisely while there, as there are plenty of amateur G.M.’s offering hot takes worth about as much as a broken VCR player. But if you can find your way to some of the more credible sources, you can learn a great deal.

I was fortunate to speak to enough well-respected journalists, scouts and coaches in Indy to come away with a solid feel for some things. Among the information I feel most confident in reporting, I can say this:

• There is no consensus on what Tennessee will do with the top overall pick in the draft. The Titans could stand pat and select either Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter or Miami quarterback Cam Ward. Or, they could trade out of the top spot with a team like the Giants, who covet Ward and want to leap-frog Cleveland to make sure they get him. We’re still too far out to know what Tennessee wants to do, and with the evaluation process not yet complete, the Titans may not know, either.
• The Eagles are willing to move considerable weight to land Myles Garrett in a trade with Cleveland. That could mean shedding salary by cutting veterans, or it could mean meeting what would likely be a considerable request from the Browns in a trade. Either way, Philadelphia G.M. Howie Roseman believes landing Garrett would be a coup in their attempt to win another championship. Whether Cleveland will comply is another matter, but don’t be shocked if this happens.
• Matthew Stafford never wanted to leave Los Angeles, and the Rams allowing him to seek a deal elsewhere was more about getting a gauge on his market value so the two sides could negotiate than it was finding an actual trade partner. Oh, and those reports that Stafford didn’t want to come to Pittsburgh? They’re true, but not for the reason you might think. It wasn’t because he doesn’t like Pittsburgh’s roster or organization. It’s because he and his wife, Kelly, prefer the climate in the southwest and had no interest in moving east.

Speaking of the Steelers and their quarterback situation, I heard a few nuggets from trustworthy sources who believe the team would prefer to re-sign Justin Fields to be their starter next season, and to draft a mid-level prospect to develop behind him. There are two problems with this process, however.

While Fields is the quarterback-of-choice of most of the players, and also of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and while Russell Wilson isn’t believed to be particularly well-liked in the locker room, Mike Tomlin prefers Wilson. Tomlin has the ear of owner Art Rooney II, so reaching a consensus on which player to sign has become tricky.

Also, Fields is said to be interested in signing with the New York Jets. He and Jets’ receiver Garrett Wilson played together in college, and are believed to be close. Plus, the Jets may be willing to throw big money at Fields to lure him there. Fields may genuinely want to play in New York, or he may be using them as leverage in a contract negotiation with the Steelers. Either way, it makes re-signing Fields tricky. The sense I get about the situation is that if Pittsburgh can’t get a deal done with Fields before free agency begins, he’s gone. They will simply get out-bid on the open market.

So, as with the Stafford situation, the best way to re-sign Fields is to get an idea what New York might offer him, and to negotiate in that direction.

If not Fields or Wilson, who, then? The Steelers have been tied to a bunch of free agents, both no one in Indy put much stock in those rumors. Sam Darnold is said to be interested in re-signing with Minnesota or heading to Las Vegas; Kirk Cousins has been tied to both the Jets and Giants; Daniel Jones is a “break glass in case of emergency” candidate; and Aaron Rodgers is… um, no.

So, to sum it up, nothing is certain right now about who will quarterback the Steelers next season. If you had to put odds on it, Fields would be the favorite due to his popularity in the locker room and with most of the coaching staff; Wilson would be a close second because of Fields’ interest in New York and Mike Tomlin’s support for Wilson; and “The Field” would be third, with your guess as good as mine what that actually means.

Follow me on Twitter @KTSmithFFSN, and listen to my podcast “The Call Sheet Daily,” which drops every Monday-Friday at 10 AM.