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

Maybe they think next year’s options are better

Before I say anything about next year’s options, let me preface this by saying a lot can change in a year. This time last year, Sam Howell and Spencer Rattler were supposed to be the top two quarterbacks, and look how much that changed.

However, if the Steelers don’t like this year’s options, which we don’t know yet if they do, and they really like next year’s options they should wait until next year to select one of them. Obviously Bryce Young from Alabama and CJ Stroud from Ohio State are the two highest touted right now and rightfully so as the two had tremendous seasons this year and both finished top five in Heisman voting. However, there are other options as well including bounceback candidate Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, Phil Jurkovec, Kedon Slovis, and others.

But the two we will look at are the current top two in Young and Stroud. According to ESPN, Young threw for 4,872 yards with 47 touchdowns and 7 interceptions en route to winning the Heisman Trophy. Stroud meanwhile threw for 4,435 yards, with 44 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

On top of their elite passing numbers, both have the mobility that the Steelers are looking for at the quarterback position. While neither is a run-first quarterback, both have the ability to run when needed, and the ability to buy time in the pocket and escape pressure.

If the Steelers wait until next year and build up the rest of their roster this year in the draft and free agency, it is highly unlikely that they will make the playoffs. And with them likely not making the playoffs they already would be in a higher draft slot than they are in this year.

Additionally, assuming they don’t bring in a veteran, they would have either Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins under center next season, and while it’s no knock on them, they are viewed as bridge options at best right now. Therefore, the team could be looking at a top 10 selection next year, which would put them in a much better position to get one of the top dogs in next year’s class than it would to get one in this year’s class.

Whether they wait until next year’s draft or select a quarterback in this year’s draft, one thing is for sure, the draft is the best option for the Steelers when it comes to finding their franchise quarterback. Who that option is, remains to be seen and the Steelers will undoubtedly be spending free agency and the draft the next two years also trying to fill the additional holes on the roster to try and get back to being a legitimate threat in the AFC as soon as possible.