Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has a chance to avoid his first losing season

[True Dough]

He's in his 16th NFL campaign. Worst he's done is 8-8 (three times).

For a while, this season looked like it would surely be Tomlin's first with a sub-.500 record. Pittsburgh was 3-7 at one point.

But they're now sitting at 7-8 and they close out the year in Baltimore and at home to Cleveland. Two winnable games.

Things have become trickier for Tomlin to maintain his streak because finishing .500 is no longer a possibility with the expansion to a 17-game season.

[Auggie]

1. What are the chances Baker Mayfield ends up in Pittsburgh ...

anyone?

[True Dough]

2. Would you be willing to take that gamble?

If you were Tomlin or the Steelers' front office, do you figure Baker would be a worthwhile investment? I'd prefer to find an alternative, but if I felt Mayfield was the only option, I'd want a one-year deal, nothing long-term until he finally proves he can play consistently.

[Auggie]

4. Good thought

One-year deal, if at all.

IMO, and having watched Mayfield play, I think he does best in a Bill Walsh-style offense -- short passes complimented by a solid running game. It's a different offense than the Ben Roethlisberger years but still plays into a perennial Steeler strength (albeit not necessarily this year).

[True Dough]

5. You know who else is a free agent at the end of this season?

Gardner Minshew. Not sure if he's any better bet than Baker, but he too is looking good as a late-season backup this year.

[Auggie]

6. Yeah. And add Derek Carr to the available list.

[True Dough]

7. The difference with Derek Carr

is that he's owed A LOT of money! $34.9 million cap hit next season, $43.9 the season after that and $43.2 million in 2025.

Yikes!

[Auggie]

8. Carr's money was only guaranteed if he played out the season

That's why Mark Davis shut him down.

Had Carr been injured in the remaining games vs the 49ers or Chiefs or been on the roster up until the Super Bowl he would be due $40+ million. By dropping him now the dead salary-cap hit on Carr is only $5.625 million. This was reported in the S.F. Chronicle on 12-29 below:

The organization has clearly decided to jettison Carr after the season and does not want to risk the three-time Pro Bowl selection suffering an injury that could leave Davis on the hook for more than $40 million of future salary. The Raiders will carry a relatively low “dead”salary-cap number of $5.625 million if Carr is cut or traded within three days of Super Bowl LVII.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/michaelsilver/article/Congratulate-Raiders-Mark-Davis-on-latest-weak-17682165.php

Carr will be looking for a new team in 2023.

Meanwhile, it's logical to assume the Raiders will lose their final two games, finish 6-11, and possibly move up in the draft.

Win-win for Mark Davis.

[True Dough]

9. Ah, interesting

Thanks for that info, Auggie. Safe to say then that Carr will surely be looking at a pay decrease in the future.

[Better Days Ahoy]

3. I love Baker and am so happy for his success with the Rams

I want him to have a starting job again. He's a good guy. But hey, I'm also just happy that rapist Big Ben is retired. Pittsburgh immediately rose in my opinion and in the opinion of my women friends when that dog went away.

[True Dough]

10. The dream is still alive!

Pittsburgh with the late comeback to knock off Baltimore tonight. Puts the Steelers at 8-8. The final regular season game next weekend at home to Cleveland is now make or break.