Insiders expect the Steelers to pursue quarterback Ryan Tannehill in free agency.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback position for the 2024 season may become even more problematic, as the team is anticipated to consider signing Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill this offseason, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo.
Some commentators have linked Tannehill to Pittsburgh because of his history with the Steelers’ new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, who previously worked with the quarterback as the Titans’ offensive coordinator in 2019 and 2020.
Tannehill became a free agent this offseason after five seasons with the Titans. He started eight games last season before suffering an ankle injury and losing his starting job to youngster Will Levis.
Coach Mike Tomlin announced a few weeks ago that Kenny Pickett will be the Steelers’ incumbent starter in 2024. However, Tomlin and owner Art Rooney II also hinted that there might be a quarterback competition during training camp. Backup Mitchell Trubisky, who signed a two-year extension before the 2023 season, and Mason Rudolph, who led the Steelers to three wins to finish the regular season in ’23, appear to be contenders.
Rudolph is also a free agent, so his future with the Steelers is unclear. NFL free agency begins March 13 at 4 p.m. ET.
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Steelers reportedly likely to investigate adding QB Ryan Tannehill in free agency to compete for Kenny Pickett.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to look into signing quarterback Ryan Tannehill this offseason to compete with Kenny Pickett.
Tannehill is set to become a free agent after spending the last five seasons with the Tennessee Titans. The Steelers hired Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator last week. Smith served as Tannehill’s offensive coordinator in Tennessee for two seasons before taking over as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons for the final three.
Mike Tomlin seeks competition for Kenny Pickett.
In January, at his season-ending news conference, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stated that he wanted competition for Pickett next season. Pickett missed the rest of the season due to an ankle ailment, and he was benched in the playoffs when healthy in favor of backup Mason Rudolph.
Rudolph is a free agent, and Tomlin did not want to start training camp without a second quarterback to fight for the position.
Pickett will enter the third year of his four-year, $14 million rookie contract, which he signed after the Steelers selected him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He started 13 games as a rookie, and 12 in 2023.
Pickett threw six touchdowns and four interceptions in 12 games, completing 62% of his throws for an average of 172.5 yards per game. He has seven touchdowns and nine interceptions as a rookie.
In 2023, the Steelers were ranked 25th in the NFL in total and passing offense, and 28th in points scored. Pittsburgh advanced to the playoffs as a wild card despite its offensive woes, owing in large part to a defense that forced 27 turnovers. They fell in the first round to the Buffalo Bills.
Tannehill, 35, was prolific throughout his five seasons with the Titans. In 63 games with the Titans, he threw 90 touchdowns and 40 interceptions while completing 66.6% of his throws for an average of 215.6 yards. Tennessee selected quarterback Will Levis in the second round of last year’s draft and anointed him the starter for the second half of the season as it sought to transition to the future.
