You truly don’t have to search very far to learn the Steelers’ quarterback strategy. Simply glance at a few words below…
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the public eye after it was revealed on Saturday that they would not search outside the organization for a quarterback. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac broke the original story. which Steelers Now was able to verify.
Although head coach Mike Tomlin stated that Kenny Pickett will face competition for the starting quarterback position, the Steelers have openly committed to giving him another chance.
It appears that this rivalry will not extend to the signing of a player such as Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, or Kirk Cousins, who would be expected to start right away. Although the Steelers are considered one of the favorites in the betting to sign Fields and Wilson, there are substantial obstacles for each player to overcome in addition to the team’s commitment to Pickett as the starting quarterback.
However, this comes as little surprise. In every public forum, the club has supported Mason Rudolph’s return; nevertheless, Tomlin’s remarks during his postseason press conference may have the greatest resonance. When asked whether the team’s starting quarterback for 2024 was still on the roster right after the team’s loss to Buffalo, he didn’t think twice to respond.
Tomlin replied, “Yes.”
That implies that it would be one of those two because Rudolph and Pickett were on the roster. Rudolph’s circumstances, however, are a little more difficult than Pickett’s, who appears to have the inside track to begin in 2024.
When free agency begins, Rudolph probably wants to explore his options and see what the league has to offer. It is unlikely that the Steelers will wait for that process to conclude before deciding on a quarterback.
If not Rudolph, then to whom does that leave? From the second tier of quarterbacks available, which includes Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett, Sam Darnold, Tyrod Taylor, Marcus Mariota, Drew Lock, Gardner Minshew, Tyler Huntley, Joe Flacco, Blaine Gabbert, Carson Wentz, and Joshua Dobbs, the Steelers will probably search for another quarterback. That kind of person would be quite sensible, or they might go out and sign a younger quarterback such as Mac Jones,Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell, or another.
The important thing is that the team believes Pickett is making progress. But what exactly would constitute an actual step forward for the Steelers and Pickett? Team president Art Rooney II provided a straightforward response, saying that points must start appearing on the scoreboard in order for there to be any real indications of offensive progress. He did not provide a specific answer regarding the qualities that Pickett must exhibit, but if he does improve, the points should still come.
“The first and most important step would be to score more points every week,” Rooney stated. “Just being a more efficient offensive unit, carrying over some of the skills we demonstrated this year in running and ball control, and adding to that, throwing more touchdowns.”
The Steelers will keep an eye on the situation surrounding the team’s unsatisfied quarterback position during the 2024 offseason. More than anything else, Pickett’s progress will continue to be the key focus for the team’s future.
