The off-season in the NFL is never lacking controversy, hot takes and predictions. One of the main topics throughout the league the next couple months will continue to be what the Pittsburgh Steelers will do at the quarterback position. After all, replacing Ben Roethlisberger will not be the easiest task Mike Tomlin will have in his coaching tenure.
NFL insider @MattLombardoNFL says on @937theFan that the asking price for the Steelers on Jimmy G is a 2nd round pick. Or a 3rd round pick and a player.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 4, 2022
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Many names have been thrown into the possible mix for the Steelers starting signal caller in 2022. Potential draftees could be available to the team at the 20th overall pick. The idea of having Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins hold the spot for a year to then draft a franchise quarterback in 2023 has also been thrown around. Additionally, a name that has come up frequently in the last week has been Jimmy Garoppolo. After the San Francisco 49ers NFC Championship loss, the future of the Golden City may rest in the hands of Trey Lance. If the 49ers decide to listen to trade offers for Garoppolo, does it make sense for the Steelers to reach out and find out the asking price?
Let's get one thing out of the way. Garoppolo would absolutely be a step up from Rudolph and Haskins. He has a 45-18 career record and has plenty of experience to help lead an offense that lacks in the leadership department. It really depends what the Steelers see next year as. Is it an opportunity to make a potential Super Bowl run? Regardless of how strong the defense is, the Steelers aren't contenders with Rudolph, Haskins or a rookie at quarterback. If the front office and Tomlin see a serious window to contend, I wouldn't be surprised to see them at least inquire about Garoppolo.
With that said, the Steelers are more than just a quarterback away from competing at a high level in the AFC. The team needs a revamped offense line, depth on the defensive line and a solution at the cornerback position. Trading away a potential second round draft pick to grab a one-year rental at quarterback who has a cap hit of nearly $27 million just doesn't make sense. While the Steelers wouldn't have to commit to Garoppolo beyond 2022, it could set the franchise back while wasting the prime years of guys like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward.
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It not only doesn't make sense, but it is far from the Steeler way to trade a potential second round pick for a quarterback with a $27 million price tag. The only quarterback potentially moving who would be capable of elevating this offense to championship level would be Aaron Rodgers. Garoppolo is a solid quarterback, but not franchise altering.
It comes down to if the Steelers are okay with a low-ceiling quarterback like Rudolph bridging the gap in 2022 to then take the future guy in 2023 or if they believe they are simply a quarterback away from being a force in the AFC next season.
Simply put, they need much more than just a formidable quarterback to contend which is why Garoppolo wouldn't be a fit for Tomlin and co.
Would you like to see Garoppolo in the black and gold? Let us know in the comments below.
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