3 reasons the Steelers could wait until 2023 to draft their quarterback

While the Steelers have a hole at quarterback, could they wait until 2023 to address the position in the draft, while addressing other needs now?

While the Steelers have a plethora of needs, the quarterback position is undoubtedly the team’s biggest need. That is not to say there are not plenty of other needs that the team needs to address this offseason.

While quarterback is the team’s biggest need with Ben Roethlisberger retiring, there is a scenario where the team waits until next year’s draft to fill that hole, while spending this offseason building the rest of the roster. While the potential to trade for a franchise quarterback exists too, the best course of action is to select one in the draft, either this year or next year.

The following reasons are the reasons why it could make sense for the team to wait until the 2023 Draft to select their guy.

They could use this year to retool and strengthen the rest of the roster

If the team opts to wait until next year to draft their franchise quarterback, the team could address many of those aforementioned holes this year in both the draft and free agency.

The first thing they’d likely address is the offensive line. Kevin Dotson and Dan Moore Jr. are the only two that seem to be guaranteed to enter next season as pieces to build around, while Kendrick Green may or may not be viewed as a long-term starter. Either way, the Steelers need at least one interior offensive lineman, and an offensive tackle.

Look for the team to draft at least one lineman: with players such as Charles Cross, Tyler Linderbaum, Kenyon Green, Trevor Penning, and Bernhard Raimann serving as potential first-round selections. As for free agency, Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, Terron Armstead, Ryan Jensen, Cam Robinson, and many others are available this offseason, so the team could sign one starter while drafting at least one other.

Additionally, look for the team to address the cornerback position. The team has struggled in drafting a cornerback in recent years, as many of their high draft selections have not worked out. However, if Ahmad Gardner out of Cincinnati or Trent McDuffie from Washington is available in round one, the Steelers might be tempted to select one of them.

Realistically though, the first-round selection will likely be used on either a quarterback or an offensive lineman, and due to the struggles at drafting corners, free agency makes the most sense for the Steelers here. Players such as Kyle Fuller, Kevin King, Donte Jackson, Darious Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, Charvarius Ward, and Kevin King are some of the players they could be interested in.

Finally, look for the Steelers to spend a late-round selection on a slot wide receiver to replace Juju Smith-Schuster, while also signing a backup running back for cheap on free agency. Look for them to use the rest of their cap space and draft capital on filling the strong safety position, unless they resign Terrell Edmunds, and the middle linebacker position, as well as depth at other positions.