Ben Roethlisberger is not going anywhere. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers were reminded this year that having a quality backup quarterback is a pretty big deal.
When Roethlisberger was lost for the month of October the Steelers somehow managed to go 2-2 despite getting awful play at the most important position on the field.
First, Michael Vick came in and played terribly, for lack of a better word. The 35 year old veteran still has some mobility but his accuracy has totally fallen off and he failed to get anything done even with Antonio Brown. For the season, Vick finished with just two touchdowns in five games. He completed 60 percent of his passes, only averaged 5.62 yards per attempt, and his total QBR was 31.8.
Landry Jones came in and didn’t do much better. In seven games, Jones threw more interceptions than touchdowns. He also hit his mark just 58 percent of the time and turned the ball over in several crucial moments.
Vick and Bruce Gradkowski are becoming free agents and are unlikely to re-sign. So, it only makes sense that the Steelers would draft a quarterback this year. Who will it be?
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We may have gotten a hint this week at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile, Alabama. According to Walter Cherepinsky, the Steelers met with USC quarterback Cody Kessler.
At 6’1″ and 215 pounds, Kessler is quite a different mold than Roethlisberger. His passer rating numbers over the last three years (149, 167, 152) may be eye popping, but one has to consider the context. Pac 12 QB numbers are often inflated thanks to the wide open style of play on the west coast. For every Aaron Rodgers there’s a dozen Nick Foleses out there.
For the moment, Kessler is ranked the ninth best quarterback of his class by Walter Football and he’s projected to go in the fifth round.
Here’s a look at his highlight reel from USC:
Kessler is described as being quick and accurate. The knock on his game is his size and a lack of arm strength. Aaron Murray is the current player that NFL.com thinks that he most resembles.
Next: Will Steelers go after Trumaine Johnson?
Pittsburgh may just be kicking the tires. Just because they met with Kessler doesn’t mean that they have any really sincere interest in drafting him. It will be worth monitoring the situation as the offseason develops. There’s a good chance the Steelers will look at a number of QB prospects before they make their decision.