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.
Steelers should target Smith
If the Steelers want a slightly upgraded version of Foles, they could target Geno Smith. Once again, he is far from a great player, but if you surround him with some good talent he can play well enough for the short term. While he hasn’t set the world on fire with the Seahawks, he has done a fine job moving the ball since Russell Wilson has gone down with an injury.
The best part is, he should be even cheaper than Foles. On top of that, he is slightly more mobile than Foles. That isn’t a testament to Smith being an incredible athlete (he isn’t) but more so a jab at just how much of a statue Foles is at this point. Smith can move around a bit in the pocket and make a play on the ground if he is forced to.
If the Steelers want to invest in their offensive line and build the offense for a future franchise quarterback, Smith makes a lot of sense. He can man down the fort for a season or two as the rest of the team rebuilds and then the team can draft their franchise quarterback. Smith would be another cheap veteran option for the team to pursue in the offseason.
Steelers should target Brissett
The first three names on this list are clearly some of the lesser options for the team, but a player like Jacoby Brissett has far more intrigue. The former third-round pick has had an interesting career and has looked ok in spot starts. This season has been no different, as he has come in to play in place of Tua Tagovailoa.
Brissett is the stereotypical big-bodied quarterback that can make any play down the field. He is a very conservative player that doesn’t take many risks, but he can make any necessary throw down the field. He is relatively turnover adverse, which can help keep drives alive in critical situations. He won’t always push the ball when he needs to as a result, but he can keep any normal drive alive with his safe and calculated playstyle.
When behind a great offense, Brissett can make the necessary moves to win games. Having Najee Harris would give him a stable running game to rely on while the defense could help keep the team competitive in games. Brissett would be an ungraded game manager for the team, and assuming his contract doesn’t break the bank, he would be a great fit for the team.
Steelers should target Dalton
While never a spectacular option, Andy Dalton has been a success as a second-round quarterback. Dalton was an extremely strong and dependable starter with the Bengals, and even became a top-level quarterback for a few seasons in the mid-2010s. Dalton has been progressively regressing since then, but he can still hold his own in the pocket.
Dalton is a consummate team player as well. Despite being replaced early in the process by rookie Justin Fields, he has been a supportive team player and hasn’t made a deal despite being promised to start this season. He didn’t look overly impressive in his little bit of playing time, but like the options before, Dalton can play well enough with a strong offense around him.
Dalton is a solid but unspectacular option for the team that will need a stable quarterback in 2022. He has proven to be a team player even if he isn’t starting, so the Steelers could land him for a few years as they build the offense up before drafting their eventual franchise quarterback. Dalton would be a familiar face and one that could start for the short term for the franchise.
Steelers should target Bridgewater
From here, the options dip into the more expensive ones and the ones that would likely require a multi-year commitment. The least of the top three options is Teddy Bridgewater. The former first-round pick started the year off strong, but his limitations have resurfaced. Bridgewater is focused on making the safe play in the short and intermediate as opposed to pushing the ball deep down the field.
Denver’s hot start has significantly cooled as the team faced off against better teams, but he has still looked like an above-average quarterback. The mistakes have been upped in recent weeks, as evident by five interceptions over the past three games. That said, Bridgewater is notoriously consistent as a quarterback, as he has always averaged around 7.1-7.6 yards per attempt minus his 2018 season as a backup with the Saints.
Bridgewater has proven that he can be an efficient quarterback with the Broncos this season, and the Steelers would be wise to see what he wants in 2022. Assuming the Broncos move on from him, Bridgewater would be able to comfortably start for the next few seasons. He isn’t anything spectacular, but he could give the team a legitimate option past Roethlisberger in 2022.
Steelers should target Mariota
While not the top name on this list, I think Marcus Mariota to the Steelers has to be one of the best fits. While he was never elite with the Titans, Mariota showcased great athleticism and a decent arm. He never benefited from playing with the offense that the team has now, as only Derrick Henry was around and playing at an elite level.
While he hasn’t done much with the Raiders, he would be a great fit for what Matt Canada wants in a quarterback. Mariota can make some plays through the air with his arm, but he also has a great level of athleticism. Canada’s offense was at its best when you had a quarterback that could move around in the pocket and make plays on the ground. Mariota certainly fits that bill.
He has spent most of this season on injured reserve with the Raiders, but he has looked fine when on the field. With the Steelers needing a new face to lead the team, Mariota makes a lot of sense. He won’t break the bank either, as sitting behind Derek Carr has kept his value in check. The Steelers would get a great fit for their offense and get a more than capable quarterback if they signed Mariota next offseason.
Steelers should target Winston
Jameis Winston has had a relatively surprising 2021. Despite a quarterback controversy with Taysom Hill, both have coexisted and done well in the Saints’ offense. Winston is off to one of his best seasons as a pro. He has been efficient and effective for the Saints and would have to be the top eligible name next year for the Steelers.
Winston is the stereotypical big-bodied and strong-armed quarterback that fits what the team typically looks for. The former top overall pick, Winston had an up and down career with the Buccaneers before joining the Saints last year. He played sparingly but has successfully taken over as the starting quarterback this year.
He has plenty of issues in his game, and his decision-making is still questionable at best, but Winston is the most logical fit for a team that needs a quarterback. He did just suffer a likely torn ACL this week, which would put him behind the ball for the 2022 season, but assuming he can properly heal from that injury, the Steelers would be wise to try and sign the veteran during free agency.
The Steelers will be in a unique spot next offseason, as the team will attempt to find its next franchise quarterback. With reports surfacing that the team wants a veteran, free agency makes the most sense to bring one in. Keep these eight free-agent quarterbacks in mind for the Steelers next year.