With the retirement of the future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a huge hole at the most important position in football. With a lot of questions around the position, what will the Steelers do to fill that hole? Let's take a look at some of the options the Steelers might have.
In-house options
Mason Rudolph has already had some time being the starter for the Steelers, including one start this season that resulted in a tie against the Detroit Lions. Rudolph struggled in the game, but his receivers also didn't help in the cause by fumbling twice in overtime. Rudolph has started 10 games over his career with a record of 5-4-1, including 16 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. I am not sure if he is the correct answer to throw out next season.
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Dwayne Haskins who has had a tough start to his career in the NFL. Haskins who was drafted out of Ohio State in the 1st round by the Washington Commanders back in 2019, had made a total of 13 starts with a record of 3-10. If you look at his record compared to Rudolphs you would say it isn't close who should start out of these two... but the former 1st round pick has not had a real chance in this league to be a franchise guy. The Steelers should give him the chance to be the number one guy next season as long as no one else is brought in over the off-season.
AP Photo
Free Agents / Trades
Aaron Rodgers is the number one guy for me. If their is any chance of getting him, the Steelers should do it. But it all depends on the asking price for the presumably back to back MVP of the NFL. Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to the number one seed once again in 2021 and put together another great season. But Rodgers, who had issues with the team last off-season, seems to be possibly on his way out of the frozen tundra. Rodgers has been linked to the Steelers ever since the Week 4 matchup when Rodgers and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin were seen smiling at each other during the game. Rodgers would make the Steelers a top 3 team in the AFC if they were able to bring in the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Russell Wilson is the other top trade target this off-season. The former 3rd round pick would be the next best option for the Steelers. Wilson, who has been the lead guy in Seattle, seems to be annoyed with the franchise and is willing to be traded. Wilson has named some teams that he would be willing to go to. Not one of those teams were the Steelers, but that doesn't mean they can't get in the race or convince him to come to the Steel City. For starters the team isn't in the NFC which is already a great start to pull the star quarterback from Seattle. They also have a "ready to win" roster which may swing Wilson to want to come to Pittsburgh. If Seattle is taking calls for Wilson, the Steelers should make one of the first calls.
Jimmy Garoppolo is another trade target for the Steelers this off-season. Garoppolo is coming off another run to the NFC title game, after defeating the number one seeded Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. It was another special run for Jimmy G, this is not his first run as he made it to the Super Bowl against the Chiefs and lost in a game where he almost won it if he made a big throw late. That is the down side of Garoppolo you hear a lot of what ifs with him and making throws. The Steelers are in a good spot to get him as well because again the Steelers are in the AFC so they are in the drivers seat for him if they make the call.
NBC Sports
Jameis Winston, the former number one pick out of Florida State is a free agent option for the Steelers. The current New Orleans Saints' quarterback is coming off a torn ACL which cut his 2021 campaign short.
Winston has had an interesting start to his career. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneer went to the Saints last season to try and get his career back on track after a rough start as Tom Brady came and kicked him out of town. Winston has struggled with turning the ball over, which has been the main issue with the former number one pick. He has a special arm talent and can make some plays with his legs. He showed before the injury this year that he can limit the turnovers. So will the Steelers try and attract the gun slinger to Pittsburgh? Only time will tell.
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NFL Draft
Kenny Pickett is the number one quarterback coming out in the upcoming draft and the Steelers have seen plenty of him around town. Pickett led the Pitt Panthers to the ACC Championship Game, and finished the season as a Heisman Trophy finalist. He had an incredible season for the Panthers and has worked himself up the draft boards in the upcoming draft, but where will he land? A lot of people believe he goes before the Steelers have a chance at pick number 20, but does that mean the Steelers won't move up to go get the local kid?
Malik Willis is the very talented Liberty quarterback who has made some big moves over this past weekend as he had himself a very good showing at the Senior Bowl. Willis was seen multiple times talking to Tomlin and Kevin Colbert. The multi-tool quarterback is rumored to be possibly the best quarterback in the draft, but he is a work in progress. Willis has possibly played his way out of the Steelers range with how well he played at the Senior Bowl, so again, the Steelers may have to move up for the Flames' quarterback.
NFL.com
Who do you want to see starting next season for the Steelers? Drop your thoughts below!
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