With Russell Wilson reportedly being traded in the AFC, the conference continues to get stronger, signaling the need for the Steelers to rebuild.
Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers entered this offseason as the two hottest commodities as far as veteran quarterbacks on the trade market, and the Steelers were linked to both of them. However, both appear to be off the table for Pittsburgh now as Rodgers announced on Twitter that he will be staying with Green Bay.
As for Wilson, reports from ESPN reporter, Adam Schefter, and NFL Network reporter, Tom Pelissero state that Wilson was traded to Denver along with a fourth-round selection for a massive package including players and picks.
Blockbuster: The #Seahawks and #Broncos have agreed in principle on a trade sending nine-time Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson to Denver for a massive haul, including multiple first-round draft picks, plus additional picks and players, per sources
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2022
While Rodgers being ruled out applies as well, it is really the trade of Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos that signals this is the perfect time to rebuild for Pittsburgh, as the AFC might be as loaded as it’s ever been.
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.
There is no better time to start rebuilding
Since the conference has so much talent, now is the perfect time to rebuild. The Steelers are better off building for the future, where they can build a legitimate Super Bowl contender, rather than trading draft assets to acquire a veteran quarterback who can get them to the Wild Card Round this season.
The main focus for Kevin Colbert and the Steelers brass should be on the NFL Draft, but they should also focus on free agency. The first order of business should be to see if there is a player that they view as their franchise quarterback in this class that they want to build around. If there is they should make every effort to get him, but if there’s not then they should build the remainder of the roster through both free agency and the draft while waiting until the next offseason to draft their guy.
As for the quarterback options in this year’s class, the player that should be most affected by this in the Steelers eyes is Kenny Pickett. If the team is committing to a rebuild, then I believe Pickett should no longer be in their plans due to his limited upside. Prior to the Wilson trade, the team could’ve viewed him as a pro-ready quarterback who could make the Steelers a contender this year. However, if the team is rebuilding, picking a safe quarterback with limited upside makes little sense, as the team would be better served to go for someone with immense upside that they can build around.
Malik Willis fits that bill and should be on Pittsburgh’s radar, but the team must consider whether or not they think he will be available at their pick, if they like him enough to move up to get him, and if the quarterbacks next year are better suited for them. With the Wilson trade though, I believe it is less likely the team gets Willis, as he is someone who is likely on Seattle’s radar as the replacement for Wilson. Seattle is also clearly in rebuild mode and can select Willis at number 9 overall. Acquiring Lock in the Wilson trade gives them someone who can play now, while Willis learns the offense, and Seattle builds up the remainder of their offense.
Whether the Steelers draft a quarterback this year or next year, one thing is definitely true, there is no better time than now to rebuild. The conference is now as loaded as ever, particularly at the quarterback position, and the team can take a backseat for a year or two while building up their roster before becoming one of the team’s top contenders again soon.