Mark Madden: Don't expect to see Matthew Stafford playing for thrifty Steelers

The discussion about the Pittsburgh Steelers acquiring Matthew Stafford from the Los Angeles Rams seems like empty, pointless conversation.

The media is obligated to link the Steelers to every quarterback who’s available.

It was a surprise last offseason when the Steelers’ quarterback room got a total makeover via getting Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. But the Steelers had to pay Wilson only $1.2 million. (Denver paid him $39 million to not play.) The Steelers had to pay Fields only $3.2 million.

Stafford wants $50 million per season.

For the thrifty Steelers, that’s a big difference. Very unlike a move they typically make.

Here’s Part 2 of the equation: Wilson was desperate for a job.

Fields got traded to the Steelers. He didn’t have a choice. (He does now.)

Stafford likely has other options. Why would he want to come to Pittsburgh, where his stats would die? Where he would be made into a no-risk robot under Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith?

Wilson reportedly chafed under the limitations Smith imposed. Why wouldn’t Stafford?

The Steelers played all of last season without a No. 2 wideout. It didn’t seem to be a big concern. The Steelers are still barren at wide receiver. Stafford has likely noticed.

The Steelers would not only have to pay Stafford, they would have to give the Los Angeles Rams a first-round pick.

Between salary and draft capital, that’s a big investment in a 37-year-old quarterback by a team that’s not ready to make a run to the Super Bowl upon his arrival. (Stafford would be the third-best quarterback in the AFC North. Not close to Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson.)

Stafford was meh last season: 13th in passing yards, 15th in touchdowns, 15th in quarterback rating. (One spot behind Wilson in that last category.)

Put it all together, and it’s logical to conclude that Stafford won’t be coming to Pittsburgh. (Shame on me for bringing logic into the mix.)

But conversation thereof does fill time and space. (This space, for example.)

It keeps the marks enthralled on the way to running it back with Wilson. (That’s what the owner wants.)

Those optimistic about acquiring Stafford point out that the Steelers were “close” to getting wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk from San Francisco last season and were willing to pay the price in draft picks and Aiyuk’s salary demands. (Aiyuk ultimately signed a four-year contract worth $120 million.)

But there’s always a story about what didn’t happen. Being willing and actually doing are two different things.