The latest Steelers rumor about their quarterbacks and the 2023 draft

The Steelers have recently had another internet rumor surface. It relates to how they might approach the 2023 NFL Draft, which oddly defies some logic.

It’s hard to say where the Steelers will select from in the 2023 NFL Draft. At one point, they were as low as 5th round choice. Now, they are in line for the 14th overall selection, and their record in the last five games will significantly impact where they ultimately land in the draft. However, assuming they could land between the 10th and 20th would be a reasonable projection.

There will be no shortage of options the higher the land in the draft. They could address the cornerback situation and the offensive line. The Steelers will also have the advantage of Chicago’s 2nd round pick, which could be the 2nd selection in the 2nd pick in round two in conjunction with their second-round choice.

They could address the offensive line and their secondary with two relatively high selections. However, the latest rumor, if one were to believe it, would indicate that the Steelers could draft another quarterback. Once the 2022 season ends, the safe assumption is that Mason Rudolph will be gone in one way or another. That more than likely will come to fruition. The larger question is, what to do with Mitch Trubisky?

Steelers quarterbacks

Some think the prevailing thought is that Mitch will want the Steelers to trade him ahead of the 2023 season. It’s reasonable that he might like that. Trubisky had the Steelers starting job, but he couldn’t keep it, so naturally, he would want to go somewhere he could start. However, he is still under contract for 2023, so the Steelers would have to trade him. At this juncture, very few teams would want him for anything other than a backup. So if a trade occurred, it’s hard to see the Steelers getting anything better than a 5th round draft choice. Still, any draft capital would be better than none.

Nevertheless, why even do that? At least as a backup on the Steelers, you know what you have in Trubisky. Sure, you might have reservations about Kenny Pickett. That’s a fair point. Hence trying to snag one of the quarterbacks in this year’s draft could be a safe option; then you have a rookie that could Push Pickett. Still, despite his shortcomings, Pickett isn’t so bad that you would want to waste a pick on trying to draft a rookie early on.

Steelers 2023 draft options

However, in fairness (assuming they choose to go this route), it gets a little problematic. Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud will both be gone no later than the 10th pick; more than likely, neither will last beyond pick five. Hence, perhaps they could have a shot at Will Levis. Yet, with Houston, Seattle, Carolina, Indianapolis, Atlanta, or even the Raiders all being in positions where a quarterback makes sense, it’s unlikely even Will Levis drops to the Steelers.

Thus, Pittsburgh would have the option of selecting Anthony Richardson, and Hendon Hooker both borderline first-round selections at best or unless their NFL Combine performances give them a boost. Then you have Tanner Mckee, perhaps a 3rd round or 4th round selection at best.

If the Steelers opted to go this route, it does not seem to benefit them much. In contrast, they can still give Pickett another season, work on improving the offensive line and their secondary, or perhaps give Pickett some additional weapons to throw, too, which would make more sense.

However, one thing to consider, there have been people saying Pittsburgh could trade Cam Heyward. Indeed, it is something no Steelers fan wants to see, but conceivably to the right team, it could net them a lot of draft picks or at least a high-end draft choice. Perhaps if they snag another one or two, assuming they could command that for Heyward, the Steelers could possibly attempt drafting another quarterback. In that case, perhaps they take a 6th or 7th in a trade for Trubisky.

It would make more sense to keep Trubisky for one more season as an insurance policy against injury to Pickett while allowing the Steelers to improve their team with their draft capital. Then if they have another poor season in 2023, perhaps make a move on another quarterback in 2024.

Internet rumors sound good from time to time, but mainly they only serve to stir the pot by some anonymous writer who thinks they knows more than the Steelers organization.