History of the position: Steelers quarterbacks

The 1950s

The 1950s was still an unstable one for the position for the Steelers but it saw some bigger names join the team. Names like Bobby Layne and Johnny Unitas (he was cut during training camp) joined the team after others helmed the position. The quarterbacks during this decade included Joe Geri, Jim Finks, Ted Marchibroda, Earl Morrall, and Bobby Lane. You can see the attempt by the Steelers to become a more consistent group with the players that they brought in and trying to stick with them. Most of these quarterbacks besides two of them started for the Steelers for more than one season.

The best season for quarterback play during this decade came from Bobby Layne in 1958 as he totaled 1,986 yards passing, 20 passing touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 181 yards rushing, two rushing touchdowns, and a Pro Bowl nomination.

Quarterbacks started to become noticed as real threats to opposing defenses and the league was beginning to change their tune for the passing game. Teams began to throw more and the position of quarterback became more and more important as the decade went on. This decade really started to define the importance of the position to the game of football.