With 2021 shaping up to be the final one for Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger, here are eight free-agent quarterbacks the team should pursue next year.
The Steelers will be in a unique position next offseason, as more than likely this team will be looking for a new starting quarterback as Ben Roethlisberger will retire. While drafting a quarterback long-term is the best strategy, adding a veteran pass-catcher makes more sense with this team given the offensive deficiencies and lack of draft picks.
Here are eight free-agent quarterbacks in 2022 that the Steelers should target.
Steelers should target Trubisky
If the Steelers are targeting a free agent quarterback, odds are it will be a reclamation project that has short-term potential to lead the team for a few years. On the low end of that, Mitch Trubisky would make some sense. While a bust with the Bears, he was never in a great position to win with a mediocre offense around him. He hasn’t played much for the Bills behind Josh Allen, but he looked good in the preseason and could earn another chance to start in 2022.
Trubisky has a good arm and great athleticism, but his decision-making and accuracy have always been the issue. The Steelers would put him behind a questionable line but would give him a few decent targets to throw to and a good running back to give the ball to. He never really had that with the Bears minus Allen Robinson. It wouldn’t be an ideal fit, but his ability to make plays with his legs and strong arm could entice a team that doesn’t have that in 2022.
Steelers should target Foles
If the Steelers wanted to target a more familiar style of quarterback, Nick Foles would make a lot of sense. While the veteran is far from a great option, he would be a similar style of quarterback to what Roethlisberger offers the team this season. He is that big body quarterback that lacks great athleticism but can make some bigger plays down the field.
While Foles has never been an elite quarterback, he has been serviceable when surrounded by a great team. One just has to think about the legendary run he had as the Eagles quarterback en route to a Super Bowl win. He hasn’t been anything special outside of that, but he can be efficient behind a good team and make the needed play.
As well, Foles should be a relatively cheap option for the Steelers. While the team should be in an ok cap spot, Foles has done next to nothing since leaving the Eagles after that run, so his value can’t be high right now. That said, he is a good fit for the offense and would be able to man down the fort for a year or two before the team tries and draft their next franchise player.