With Ben Roethlisberger’s career slowly coming to a close, the Steelers can not waste any time looking for his successor. Former Alabama and Oklahoma quarterback, Jalen Hurts, would bring with him a new energy and excitement back to the Steel City.
Ben Roethlisberger has had a heck of a career for the Steelers. He has provided the organization with countless memories and the day he finally says his last goodbye will be a somber day throughout Pittsburgh.
However, all good things must come to an end and unfortunately for the Steelers football doesn’t just stop because a franchise icon leaves, ask the New England Patriots about how they feel right now. The Steelers must have a succession plan in place once “Big Ben” finally decides to hang em’ up.
It is obvious that neither Mason Rudolph or Devlin Hodges is the answer at quarterback. Unfortunately, with Roethlisberger entering his age 38 season, he can not be counted on to be healthy the full season either. Ben has sustained numerous injuries throughout his career and those injuries may have finally taken its toll.
The team is too talented to have another wasted season if Roethlisberger gets hurt again. Therefore, at pick 49 the Steelers should select Jalen Hurts providing that he’s available. Hurts showed that he has what it takes to excel at the next level after a phenomenal senior campaign.
Hurts completely reinvented his game under quarterback guru, Lincoln Riley, and proved to the world that he’s more than just a runner and can be an all-around good quarterback. Hurts finished this past season with absolutely stellar numbers. According to ESPN.com, Hurts had 3,851 yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 1,298 rushing yards, and 20 rushing touchdowns.
Say what you will about how Oklahoma has a plethora of NFL talent or they play in a weaker conference among other things, but those numbers are out of this world. If those numbers aren’t enough to convince you, hurts also took the combine by storm.
Hurts displayed his next-level athleticism running the forty-yard dash in 4.54 seconds. Hurts also took part in all of the throwing drills and looked just as poised and confident as fellow prospect, Justin Herbert.
Hurts has the potential to be one of the steals of the draft. Letting him sit behind Ben Roethlisberger for a year would let him get accumulated to the NFL at a steady pace and give him the benefit to learn under a future hall of famer. However, if needed Hurts looks as though he has the ability to step in right away and make a positive impact for his team.
Understandably, Hurts may not be available when the Steelers pick. However, if he is, the Steelers should not hesitate to strike as they may have just found their future franchise quarterback. Hurts would electrify Heinz field and bring excitement back to the Steelers offense that is in desperate need of a spark.