5 players the Steelers should aggressively pursue in 2022 free agency

Oct 25, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) blocks against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) blocks against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5). Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Steelers should pursue Teddy Bridgewater

No, Teddy Bridgewater is not the answer to the Steelers quarterback problems and he certainly won’t be Pittsburgh’s franchise quarterback of the future. With that out the way, the team should pursue him this offseason.

Ben Roethlisberger is all but done, between his play and this being the last year on his contract, it’s hard to imagine him returning to play another season. The Steelers have given little reason to believe that they are comfortable with Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins being Roethlisberger’s successor, so that leaves the team-wide open at quarterback heading into next year.

One choice would be to draft a quarterback, but in the event that Pittsburgh selects the prospect it wants, there is no guaranteeing that they will be ready to start day one. That is where Bridgewater comes in.

The last few seasons, Bridgewater has essentially been a bridge quarterback, as various teams have plugged him in and moved on— the Steelers can do the same. Bridgewater isn’t going to win you many games, but he won’t lose you many either, he’s an ideal game-managing, transition quarterback.

He will protect the ball and win games with a good rushing attack and great defense, two things Pittsburgh are on their way to having. He also will be extremely affordable after finishing out his $4.4 million, one-year contract with the Broncos.

Related Story. Steelers mock draft: 5 first-round targets for Pittsburgh. light

While Bridgewater isn’t the long-term solution, he can be a safety net for the Steelers next season. He and the other free agents on this list are all great targets that can aid Pittsburgh on its climb back to the upper ranks of the NFL.