The Pittsburgh Steelers have certain traits they will look for at the quarterback position after Ben Roethlisberger. Here are three free agents they could pursue in 2022.
Ben Roethlisberger’s legendary NFL career will soon be coming to an end, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback has informed some of his intent to retire following the 2021 season. We knew this day was coming, and Kevin Colbert has no doubt been exploring every option possible.
With so many needs in the upcoming NFL Draft, there’s no guarantee that Pittsburgh will be able to land their franchise quarterback in April, and they may have to sign a bridge quarterback who can help win them football games until they find their long-term answer. If this proves to be the case, here are three free-agent quarterbacks who could fit what the Steelers intend to do on offense in 2022:
Steelers could pursue Mitch Trubisky
The name Mitch Trubisky still leaves a sour taste in the mouths of Bears fans. As Trubisky fell flat, Chicago was reminded that they could have had Patrick Mahomes or Deshaun Watson without trading up. Though he didn’t pan out as the former number two overall pick in 2017, Trubisky still has an impressive skill set and could be a quality option as a bridge quarterback.
In his final season with the Bears in 2020, Trubisky had a record of 6-3 as he threw for 16 touchdowns and 8 interceptions and boasted an adequate 93.5 passer rating. In addition to having ample starting experience, Trubisky is very mobile and has the ability to maneuver the pocket and extend the play.
Trubisky isn’t likely to revive his fallen NFL career, but he could be a capable stop-gap starter for this team if they find themselves in a pinch — perhaps in the Teddy Bridgewater tier of quarterback. He has done enough to be given one more shot.
Steelers could pursue Marcus Mariota
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has made it a point to emphasize the importance of athleticism at the quarterback position on more than one occasion over the course of the season. I don’t think this was a shot at Ben Roethlisberger’s severe lack of mobility; rather, Tomlin was pointing out what an added bonus it is to have a quarterback who can also run with the ball and get outside the pocket.
If this is indeed the type of passer that Pittsburgh is looking for after Roethlisberger, Marcus Mariota is one of the only quality options who fits the bill. As the former second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Mariota never panned out the way the Tennesse Titans had hoped, and their team finally took a step forward with Ryan Tannehill.
However, getting Mariota in an offense that would plan to utilize his skill set could be very beneficial to his NFL career. In his final 6 games for the Titans in 2019, before he was replaced, Mariota threw for 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions while averaging a very respectable 7.8 adjusted yards per attempt.
For the Steelers, Mariota would offer plus mobility and, while his arm talent isn’t spectacular, he has the shot-to-mid accuracy to his receivers on timing patterns. With some willingness to cater the offense to him, Mariota could be a quality stop-gap option.
Steelers could pursue Tyrod Taylor
Unlike Mitch Trubisky and Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor was never a high-profile player or former high draft choice. However, he has proven to be a capable backup in the NFL who can manage the game as a stop-gap starter.
The results this season have not been great, as Taylor has 5 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in to go with a 76.7 passer rating. However, he’s also on arguably the worst team in football with very little talent around him.
Back in 2015, Taylor made the Pro Bowl with the Buffalo Bills as he earned 24 total touchdowns and 6 interceptions in just 14 games. In fact, Taylor had a winning record in three years as the Bills starting quarterback. However, he has primarily been a backup over the past four seasons now.
Still, Taylor could be a player the Steelers lookout to come in and compete for a roster spot — possibly even the starting job early in the 2022 season. In terms of starting quarterbacks, he’s in one of the lower tiers, but Pittsburgh could look to utilize his mobility and stay competitive next season. Taylor currently has a winning record in his NFL career that dates back to 2011.
For the record, I’m not a big fan of any of these options, but the Steelers might pigeonhole themselves into going after a free agent if they have other plans for the NFL Draft, and these three could be stop-gap starters until they find their franchise quarterback.