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The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the market for a quarterback as they look to create competition at the position this offseason. The team struggled mightily in 2023, seeing a revolving door rotate under center.
Three different Steelers passers made starts either due to injury, production, or a combination of both. No one in that trio apparently made a lasting mark on the coaching staff.
Second-year signal caller Kenny Pickett began the year as the starter, going 7-5 over 12 starts. He threw just six touchdowns before getting hurt midyear.
Veteran Mitchell Trubisky briefly filled the void before being upended by longtime backup Mason Rudolph. Trubisky was 0-2 in his pair of starts, failing to reach the 200-yard mark in either.
Rudolph was the most impressive of the bunch, winning his final three starts to get the team into the playoffs. Still, a subpar performance in the Wildcard Round would effectively end Pittsburgh’s season.
Together, they combined to lead the NFL’s fifth-worst scoring unit at 17.9 ppg. With that being said, it seems the Steelers are looking for a spark.
They’ve brough in Arthur Smith to run the offense following the midseason firing of coordinator Matt Canada. Smith’s preexisting relationship with former Titans passer Ryan Tannehill reportedly has the team expressing interest.
Adding Tannehill to the roster would seemingly come as a way of providing depth and mentorship for the youngster, Pickett, who’d likely assume QB1 duties again at season’s start.
Head coach Mike Tomlin might have other plans.
Adam Schefter reports Steelers could be after a big fish
“Pittsburgh is gonna go out and get another Quarterback..
Keep in mind that Mike Tomlin is a big fan of Justin Fields” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/DwBl0w2tWi
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 12, 2024
The NFL reporter appeared on the Pat McAfee Show Monday to break down the situation.
“We know that Pittsburgh’s gonna go out and get some type of quarterback,” Schefter said. “Whether that’s Ryan Tannehill. Whether that’s Russell Wilson. Whether that’s Justin Fields – Mike Tomlin’s a big fan of Justin Fields. We’ll keep that in mind in the offseason.”
Fields has been a popular name on trade markets given the assumption that the Bears will draft QB Caleb Williams with their first pick. There has been speculation of potentially keeping both Fields and Williams on the roster, but a large majority believes Chicago is ready to move on.
As for Wilson, he’s been in Denver for two seasons, now, though he’s seen a steep decline from his production in Seattle.
Russ signed a massive deal to land with the Broncos a few offseasons ago, but it hasn’t been a fit especially since new head coach Sean Payton took the reins.
While it seemed imminent that he’d be cut after getting benched last season, new reports suggest he could stick around in the Mile High City.
“The Broncos are keeping all options on the table at QB — including the possibility of reopening talks with Russell Wilson about restructuring his contract to keep him in Denver for 2024.” – NFL Network
Time will soon tell how it all works out for both the quarterbacks and the Steelers. Pittsburgh is seemingly desperate to make a splash, and one of these names would certainly achieve that.