2026 53-Man Roster Thread

[Conn]

I kind of doubt our 4th string PS QB is running the scout team. Most teams with an established QB give every single rep to the starter. Peyton Manning was famous for demanding this and it’s become more common. In-season weekly practices aren’t like training camp, there aren’t really extra reps to go around, backups don’t practice separately together, etc. Mariota likely doesn’t even receive that many live OR walkthrough reps each week during the season in terms of working through our gameplan, unless Daniels is banged up and they’re prepping Mariota to play. Mariota is likely taking mostly mental reps and going through everything with Jayden, while Jayden takes the actual reps.

Usually the 3rd string QB (when there is one) would run the scout team, unless the scout team specifically needs a fast running QB to gameplan against in which case sometimes a non-QB player will simulate that for the D on teams that need it.

So that’s AK it seems.

And then Hartman will just be watching most of the time (in terms of real 11-on-11 reps, throwing on the side and in drills. That’s why it’s really hard to “develop” guys on the field during the season, almost all their work has to be on their own and in the meeting rooms. All live reps go to the top 2 guys, with the vast VAST majority of them going to the starter to lock in the gameplan and take advantage of the previously short time they have. Again, Peyton was famous for never giving his backups even a random snap during the season, he wanted every single look, every single rep with his guys even in walkthroughs because they’re so rare overall

In short, practice prepping for a game is way different than training camp and depth guys hardly ever get live snaps during the season, and even fewer gameplan walkthrough reps

 

[The Rook]

Hartman on PS.

I asked several people and got a consensus.

The Rook

 

[RedWolf]

Yeah I don't know what it is with Hartman and the coaching staff? Completely bewildered on that one

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I'd rather have PS personnel that can actually develop into game day contributors. I leave coaching for the staff and for the vets players

I guess the difference is I just don't care because I really don't think there is much liklihood a PS QB is going to develop into anything other than an emergency starter. The counter point is we know Hartman can't develop. If we had somebody who could, would that be better? I guess so.

Though, you need the right type of person in that role also, who's basically willing to do all the crap jobs and be happy about it. And know they probably aren't even going to get a shot to compete for the 3rd string let alone backup job.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I kind of doubt our 4th string PS QB is running the scout team. Most teams with an established QB give every single rep to the starter. Peyton Manning was famous for demanding this and it’s become more common. In-season weekly practices aren’t like training camp, there aren’t really extra reps to go around, backups don’t practice separately together, etc. Mariota likely doesn’t even receive that many live OR walkthrough reps each week during the season in terms of working through our gameplan, unless Daniels is banged up and they’re prepping Mariota to play. Mariota is likely taking mostly mental reps and going through everything with Jayden, while Jayden takes the actual reps.

Usually the 3rd string QB (when there is one) would run the scout team, unless the scout team specifically needs a fast running QB to gameplan against in which case sometimes a non-QB player will simulate that for the D on teams that need it.

So that’s AK it seems.

And then Hartman will just be watching most of the time (in terms of real 11-on-11 reps, throwing on the side and in drills. That’s why it’s really hard to “develop” guys on the field during the season, almost all their work has to be on their own and in the meeting rooms. All live reps go to the top 2 guys, with the vast VAST majority of them going to the starter to lock in the gameplan and take advantage of the previously short time they have. Again, Peyton was famous for never giving his backups even a random snap during the season, he wanted every single look, every single rep with his guys even in walkthroughs because they’re so rare overall

In short, practice prepping for a game is way different than training camp and depth guys hardly ever get live snaps during the season, and even fewer gameplan walkthrough reps

Agree, and I'll fully admit that I could be making it up, but I swear I remember Quinn talking about Hartman running the scout team last year. Which is why I mentioned it.

However, it's possible he was doing that because he was the third string at that time?

 

[ntotoro]

Will Pantene be a sponsor of the new stadium... ?

 

[DWinzit]

I guess the difference is I just don't care because I really don't think there is much liklihood a PS QB is going to develop into anything other than an emergency starter. The counter point is we know Hartman can't develop. If we had somebody who could, would that be better? I guess so.

Though, you need the right type of person in that role also, who's basically willing to do all the crap jobs and be happy about it. And know they probably aren't even going to get a shot to compete for the 3rd string let alone backup job.

Well, you covered both sides with your response so you can't really be wrong lol.

 

[Discobob]

I'm looking at practice, not game day.. they made it obvious that the street walkers on Sunday were more valuable, but that kind of is the bigger point right? He is who he is, and Mon - Fri you want less performance, more scheme

I think this is the best explanation. A 4th string PS QB is not developing into anything... if the stars align, maybe he's a backup for a bit, but even that is highly unlikely. The guy is on the team for how he helps your team practice and develop. If he can do that effectively, they are getting their money's worth...

 

[DWinzit]

I think this is the best explanation. A 4th string PS QB is not developing into anything... if the stars align, maybe he's a backup for a bit, but even that is highly unlikely. The guy is on the team for how he helps your team practice and develop. If he can do that effectively, they are getting their money's worth...

So he is a coach!?!

 

[HOF44]

You guys are just passionate overreacting fans about Hartman. If you could see behind closed doors what he has going on like AP and DQ you’d change your minds!!!

 

[Dah-Dee]

You guys are just passionate overreacting fans about Hartman. If you could see behind closed doors what he has going on like AP and DQ you’d change your minds!!!

 

[Discobob]

So he is a coach!?!

You're right.... it was a dumb idea. The real story is that he has pictures of Magic Johnson's Johnson...

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Well, you covered both sides with your response so you can't really be wrong lol.

I wasn’t really trying to be right.

I just really don’t care. Right guy, wrong guy, as long as he never plays in a real game I just don’t care.

 

[Boone]

I'm just trying to wrap my mind around the need for an extensive conversation about our 4th string QB's practice squad designation, lol...

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

I think this is the best explanation. A 4th string PS QB is not developing into anything... if the stars align, maybe he's a backup for a bit, but even that is highly unlikely. The guy is on the team for how he helps your team practice and develop. If he can do that effectively, they are getting their money's worth...

Do practice squad QBs sometimes serve as scout qb? The stand in for our D to prepare for the opponent? If so, that could explain the D confidence misplaced confidence last year, and another reason to improve there.

I think Milton > Hartman.

 

[Boone]

Holding onto Hartman is one of those moves that (for me) calls into question the Peters mantra that 'we are always looking to make moves that will improve this team'. There is no way, even as a 4th string QB, that Sam Hartman is the best player available NFL-wide. I'm not a GM, or a scout, but I feel pretty solid making that assessment. He's not a good QB. He can't consistently complete passes or throw accurately. Why is he still on this roster?

I know someone will argue 'what difference does it make - the 4th string QB will never see the field and if he does, we aren't winning games anyway at that point'.

But it does matter - because our organizational philosophy is supposedly to have the best players humanly possible signed at all times.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

But it does matter - because our organizational philosophy is supposedly to have the best players humanly possible signed at all times.

Being consistent about that leads to players always playing their best. True meritocracy leads to better results in general because players believe merit and hard work matter.

The alternative leads to getting drubbed in preseason because effort doesn’t matter. Not saying that is why the Ravens drubbed us but, it doesn’t help.

DQ claimed surprise at the effort level and execution. I agree; in many respects the results in preseason aren’t always the point. It is effort and execution.

 

[Boone]

The mindset concerns me - and I'll harken back to the Biadasz decision. Why is 'doing the player' a solid more important than maximizing roster talent? We need to be able to make hard decisions without hesitation - that's what great GMs do. So if there is a football reason for keeping a guy like Hartman (I guess it's possible there is one that isn't apparent to us as fans), then that's fine. But if they are just trying to be nice to the guy - I'm not on board with that.

 

[Conn]

I'm just trying to wrap my mind around the need for an extensive conversation about our 4th string QB's practice squad designation, lol...

Hey now, some people like this guy below are posting thoughtful takes on the matter!

Holding onto Hartman is one of those moves that (for me) calls into question the Peters mantra that 'we are always looking to make moves that will improve this team'. There is no way, even as a 4th string QB, that Sam Hartman is the best player available NFL-wide. I'm not a GM, or a scout, but I feel pretty solid making that assessment. He's not a good QB. He can't consistently complete passes or throw accurately. Why is he still on this roster?

I know someone will argue 'what difference does it make - the 4th string QB will never see the field and if he does, we aren't winning games anyway at that point'.

But it does matter - because our organizational philosophy is supposedly to have the best players humanly possible signed at all times.

 

[Boone]

It's like a virus... but yeah, you got me there