Sad News: Browns Has Sign A Talented Star WR For Replacement….

The Cleveland Browns didn’t make any moves yesterday, but the Pittsburgh Steelers did, as the buzzards continue to circle the quarterback position there, sensing that there are dead mediocre players walking…

Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans!

If you live in Northeast Ohio, is the odor a little different this morning? Especially, say, there over in Youngstown or parts east of our esteemed Plum City?

Just like rampant wildfires in Canada may mean smokey skies here in Cleveland, so might some level of feverish activity in the City of Pittsburgh kick up the local stink enough that some of it might drift westward to our more pleasant environs. Fortunately, the prevailing winds tend to run west-to-east, so we’re largely immune, but it’s a concern, so let me know in the comments if things in the air are getting acrid where you are.

Indeed, something seems amiss in Pittsburgh, despite assurances from the Steeler brass, with the quarterback position. This may kick up a stink.

I, quite frankly, was hoping that the Steelers’ recent appearance in the playoffs was enough to convince the Steelers to stick with 2023-offseason wunderkind (according to Steeler fans) Kenny Pickett for another year or two, but buzzards are definitely circling, smelling the rotting flesh of dead quarterbacks walking.

The Steelers yesterday decided not to continue with ex-Chicago Bear reclamation project Mitch Trubisky, a “mutual decision” to allow the quarterback to explore his options elsewhere. This follows speculation on the NFL Network the other day that the team might turn its attention to ex-Titan Ryan Tannehill to save its bacon at the quarterback position.

Then, yesterday, no less a personage than sleep-deprived newsbreaker Adam Schefter suggested that the Steelers might take on another reclamation project from Chicago, Justin Fields, should the Bears take that top draft pick and invest in this year’s hotshot NFL draft quarterback Caleb Williams:

Usually, Schefter doesn’t venture into “analysis” unless he’s heard something, so this caught my attention.

Excuse me for being an Ohio State honk. I would have to admit that this might leave me a little bit concerned. I am not convinced that Justin Fields’ issue in Chicago was Justin Fields so much as Chicago, and the Steelers with an actual quarterback might be slotted for something other than last place in the brutal AFC North.

Each division needs at least one team that the others can beat on, and that’s missing in the AFC North. The Steelers are as good a candidate as any for that role with the ascent of the Browns, but they refuse to know their new place in the order of things, and I’m afraid that Fields wearing a black and urine-colored uniform would make navigating those six AFC North games just that much more challenging.

Trust me, Pittsburgh. You don’t want to give up on Kenny Pickett this quickly. Give it another year, maybe two. You don’t want to give up a basket of draft picks for Fields when your small-handed answer is right there in your locker room already, almost ready to hold off Mason Rudolph for the starting job. Hang tough, guys.

SPECIAL NOTE: Tonight at 9PM, the Garage Beer guys will be doing their 200th episode, with special guests Archie Griffin, Kenny Loften, and Eric Metcalf. Make sure you tune into both tonight’s Garage Beers as well as the React show with Brad and Pete at 7PM. You can watch on either YouTube or Twitch.

Jake had family obligations Monday night and couldn’t record Chalk Talk, but we’ve got a huge night tonight with The React and the 200th episode of Garage Beers featuring Archie Griffin, Kenny Loften, and Eric Metcalf!