The Steelers have hit dark days while trying to find a true franchise Quarterback. It could take time to find a good player once Ben Roethlisberger decides to retire.
Franchise quarterbacks do not grow on trees and every team is always searching for the next one. Greatness is hard to find and acquire in this highly competitive league so players of that stature are very difficult to get. It takes a lot of growing pains to get to a place in the draft where a good choice is available to you.
Other ways are through free agency or sticking with the guys you have. Working through free agency is an unlikely option as the Steelers normally refrain from big-spending during that portion of the offseason. It could be different years down the line when cap space is available and a quality starter is on the open market. Never say never in this league as it continues to evolve into something different.
The option of sticking with the players you already have can be very realistic. Many fans will sigh in disappointment with the current group on the team but who knows what the group will look like years down the line. After all, this article is about the future and that could have many different variations of players coming and going from now to then. These are some potential future options at the quarterback position over the next couple of years.
Veteran Options
This is probably one of the likeliest options for the Steelers after Roethlisberger hangs up the cleats. A bridge quarterback for a year or two will have to suffice, while another heir apparent is taken in the draft and sits behind a veteran option. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mason Rudolph, and Tom Brady could be choices after next season.
Rudolph continues to gain high praise from his coaches and seems like he will get a real shot to start a full season when Roethlisberger calls it quits. That seems like the most realistic option for a bridge quarterback. He can provide continued competition when the next prospect comes in through the draft. Rudolph is nothing special and sometimes he shows flashes but work still needs to be done with his game. Fitzpatrick’s name was mentioned because he is a well-known veteran in this league and he is constantly a bridge-style player.
Now everyone will hate that Brady is on this list and maybe it is not the most realistic option. He will be about halfway through his 40s when his deal in Tampa Bay ends and he could call it quits. He just won the Super Bowl and has not shown much of a decline. If he hits free agency again and the black and gold want to go all-in with the currently constructed defense, then this would be an attractive spot for Brady to sign onto.
Likeliest option: Mason Rudolph
Free Agent Options
Pittsburgh could always look at outside options to fill the immediate void if Roethlisberger decides to retire after the 2021 season. The free-agent class in 2022 has some interesting options but none that would seem to be huge upgrades over Mason Rudolph. Names would include the likes of Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Taysom Hill.
Darnold has had many rumors about the Steel City throughout his career and he has some pedigree that could potentially be found elsewhere. For a short and cheap deal, this could be an attractive option for the Steelers. Mayfield will most likely be re-signed by the Cleveland Browns but he is currently listed as an upcoming free agent. He is not going to win games on his own but he would be another option to help keep your team afloat.
Hill was another interesting name as he is more of a swiss army knife down in New Orleans. He played fairly well when he started for the Saints this past season while Drew Brees was out due to an injury. He relies more on running than throwing so that is an issue but he would be an interesting option to bring versatility and movement to the offense. The versatile quarterback would be a good bridge-type player as he is getting older and has question marks as a full-time starter.
Future draft options
These options are still currently in development in college or high school programs in this list I am stretching out future players to the max. These names could very well decline or shoot up draft boards as their careers play out. Some names to watch for in the 2022 NFL Draft include Sam Howell (North Carolina), Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma), and Kedon Slovis (USC). All three of these players are intriguing options and will likely be top picks in next year’s draft. The Steelers do not seem to be in a full-tank mode so it is not entirely out of the question if they could even have the opportunity to choose one of these three. All of them have great potential and upside but this upcoming college season will be huge.
2023 NFL Draft is far away so players could still come out of the woodwork between now and then. Some names to watch this season and the year after in the college ranks include DJ Uiagalelei (Clemson), CJ Stroud (Ohio State), and Bryce Young (Alabama). All of these players have very limited or no game time at the collegiate level to this point. They’re just jumping into the fray this season so watch and see how they play this season and next year.
The 2024 draft is crazy to talk about at this point right? Well not entirely because franchise quarterbacks are so hard to find. These players are just going to college as they have committed to schools recently. Some of those names include Caleb Williams (Oklahoma), Sam Huard (Washington), and Brock Vandagriff (Georgia). All of them will take some time to play and grow. They have at least another three years before entering the draft. Hopefully by then, the black and gold have their situation figured out but it takes longer sometimes.
The Steelers might have a tough time getting their replacement for Roethlisberger. Franchise quarterbacks do not grow on trees so it could be a couple of years before a new option is found.