4 reasons the Steelers are comfortable with Rudolph starting in 2021
By Andrew Falce
No resources to get anyone better
Despite the want from the fanbase, it seems like there are pretty bad odds that the Steelers can get a legitimate franchise quarterback next offseason. Even if Roethlisberger retires and they get that cap relief, that will go towards getting cap compliant and retaining their pending free agents. For those that think bringing in a reclamation project like Carson Wentz is viable, his cap hit is just over 30 million dollars.
The Steelers could opt for a low-end free agent, but even then, would they be any better than Rudolph would be? Instead, the Steelers’ best odds of getting a better starter would be via the draft. While that sounds like a good route, the issue then becomes where the Steelers are picking. Given their good record and playoff status, they will be picking in the latter portion of the draft. That area is rife with franchise quarterbacks.
Even if the Steelers got a Mac Jones or Kyle Trask late in the first round of the draft, they would need time to get into the system and learn the playbook. Given that these players have serious concerns about their starting potential, it seems likely that they wouldn’t see the field their rookie year anyway. Unless an unexpected talent falls to the Steelers in the draft, Rudolph will likely be the team’s best bet going into next year.