Steelers insane quarterback carousel between the Bradshaw and Roethlisberger eras

Backups who are forced into action for the black and gold

Steve Bono (1987-1988, started 3 games)

Steve Bono was mostly a journeyman quarterback throughout his lengthy NFL career. He was the backup for the Steelers during the 1987 season and was ahead of Bubby Brister at the time. Mark Malone was the starter and did get dinged up for a few weeks that year. That forced Bono into a starting role for three games, which he played well in.

He was mostly a backup his entire career which spanned 14 years and with seven NFL teams. His best season would come in 1995, his first season as a bonified starting quarterback where he was able to produce quality numbers. That was just a flash in the pan, and he was nothing more than a guy who could come off the bench if needed.

Todd Blackledge (1988-1989, started 5 games)

There were high hopes for Todd Blackledge coming out of college in the 1983 NFL Draft. He was the seventh overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was coming off back-to-back national championships at Penn State and won the Davey O'Brien Award, which is given to the best quarterback in college football. He was a bust with the Chiefs before signing in Pittsburgh.

He was nothing more than a backup with the Steelers as they hoped maybe they could access some untapped potential. Nothing worked out for Blackledge as a quarterback in the pros and he only started five games for the black and gold. He was only with the club for two years and he threw double the interceptions compared to touchdowns.