3 reasons why the Steelers third quarterback matters
By James Kelly
The Pittsburgh Steelers have more important things to worry about than their third string quarterback, but here is why it is important.
The Steelers have more pressing concerns than trying to figure out who their third string quarterback is going to be. On the other hand, considering the team once cut Johnny Unitas and chose not to draft Dan Marino—both decisions leading to years of mediocrity—perhaps we should rethink this bromide.
At Latrobe and through two preseason games, undrafted free agent QB Devlin Hodges has played his way from supposedly being a disposable ‘camp arm’ with virtually no chance of making the 53-man roster into the conversation for the 3rd spot on the QB depth chart.
The importance of game-ready backup quarterbacks
In 2018, the Steelers lost four of their final six games to squander a 2.5 game division lead and miss the playoffs. Arguably, the most devastating of those losses came in Oakland against a then 2-10 Raiders team.
Multiple factors contributed to the loss in Oakland. One was certainly an injured Ben Roethlisberger missing the first four drives of the second half. Led by a backup QB, those four drives ended in a punt, a turnover on downs, an interception, and a punt.
After trailing by four points at the half, the Raiders used the Steelers 2nd half offensive ineptitude to find their own offensive rhythm. When they took a three-point lead after the fourth failed Steelers drive, Mike Tomlin put the banged-up Roethlisberger back into the game.
We scored. They scored. Our field goal kicker fell down, and we lost.
What if this happened in 2019 and an injured Ben couldn’t play for multiple games? With the season on the line, would Tomlin continue to play the same backup QB whose poor play had already contributed to a crushing loss, or would he stay true to his ‘next man up’ philosophy and give his third QB a shot?
In this light, I suggest it only makes sense to keep quarterbacks whose play in camp, preseason, and regular season games reveal the most upside and game readiness of those vying for roster spots.