The Steelers are searching for their next franchise quarterback, and it looks like Kevin Colbert and his team will be on hand for Pitt vs Notre Dame game.
Just when it seemed like all hope was going to be lost for the 2021 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers won their last four games after losing three in a row. Mike Tomlin’s team sitting well within the grasp of a playoff berth at 5-3, the Steelers could advance to 6-3 with a home win over the Detroit Lions this week.
Despite their win streak, there’s no getting around the fact that Ben Roethlisberger simply does not look like the same player he did a few years ago. According to advanced statistics from PlayerProfiler.com, Roethlisberger currently ranks 27th in yards per attempt, 32nd in air yards per attempt, 25th in adjusted yards per attempt, 24th in true completion percentage, 31st in deep-ball completion percentage, 25th in pressured completion percentage, 25th in clean-pocket completion percentage, and 31st in true passer rating.
These are stats that clearly miss the mark, and the Steelers have been winning in spite of Ben’s subpar play; not because of it. With his current contract situation that includes voidable years, it’s highly improbable that Roethlisberger is brought back for his age-40 season, and Pittsburgh is very likely to move on at the quarterback position.
For months, fans have been wondering if the next signal-caller after Big Ben would be a veteran free agent, a rookie, or someone already on the roster. While this still remains to be seen, we are starting to get some clear signs that the Steelers are interested in the quarterback class this year.
Recently, Johnny McGonigal of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweeted that there are set to be 38 NFL scouts and executives on hand when the Pittsburgh Panthers host the North Carolina Tarheels:
The Heinz Field press box will be crowded tomorrow for Pitt-North Carolina with 38 NFL scouts/executives scheduled to be in attendance.
— Johnny McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 10, 2021
Among them, 5 GMs: Kevin Colbert (Steelers), Howie Roseman (Eagles), Mike Mayock (Raiders), Rick Spielman (Vikings), George Paton (Broncos)
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert will be eyeing two top quarterbacks
The Steelers aren’t really hiding their intent here. While these are two pretty good football programs, we know exactly why general manager, Kevin Colbert will be at this game — likely along with much of the scouting department. Pitt vs North Carolina features two of the top quarterback prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh no doubt has familiarity with both. Sam Howell is a player the Steelers have likely had their eye on since joining the ACC as a true freshman back in 2019. The North Carolina quarterback was a high recruit coming out of high school and impressed in his first season but hasn’t quite made the strides fans were hoping to see from him.
Meanwhile, Pitt’s Kenny Pickett has been around for five years. While the first four were incredibly modest, Pickett has exploded in year five and his draft stock is through the roof right now after earning 29 touchdowns and 3 interceptions through his first 9 games in 2021.
Both of these passers come from football programs that the Steelers are very familiar with and they could wind up going around where Pittsburgh is currently projected to be selecting in the first round.
Kevin Colbert could just be doing his homework here right in his hometown for this game, but we all know the Steelers need a quarterback and these are two guys that make a ton of sense.