Russell Wilson trade further emphasizes need for Steelers rebuild
By Scott Long
The AFC is too competitive for the Steelers to look for a veteran QB
The AFC already looked to be the tougher conference after Tom Brady retired, but with Wilson moving to the AFC, this all but confirms it. The starting quarterbacks in the AFC include star power such as Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and Lamar Jackson. On top of that, it also features young guns like Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, and Zach Wilson, proving that this conference is going to feature some elite competition at the quarterback position for years to come.
With the conference featuring so much talent at the quarterback position, it is highly unlikely the Steelers can make a move that will make them a legitimate favorite in the AFC. The only star quarterback that they can go get is Deshaun Watson, and due to his off-field legal issues, there’s no telling when he would even be able to play.
As far as the other veteran signal callers that are available, none of them elevates the Steelers to the level where they will be serious Super Bowl contenders. While names such as Jameis Winston and Jimmy Garoppolo will undoubtedly make the Steelers a better team next season and could make them a playoff team, the team still has too many holes, and too many high-level competitors in the conference to make any sort of an extended playoff run.