The Pittsburgh Steelers made sweeping changes to the quarterback room after the 2023 group put up a disappointing year. Kenny Pickett could not build on a strong preseason, and Pittsburgh decided to move on from him after signing Russell Wilson. Mitch Trubisky was disappointing for the second year in a row. The veteran replaced an injured Pickett twice and started two games before giving way to Mason Rudolph. Rudolph conjured up a magical three-game win streak and got Pittsburgh to the playoffs, but moved on in free agency. The team also added Justin Fields, veteran Kyle Allen, and undrafted rookie John Rhys Plumlee to the quarterback room.
Matthew Hinton / AP Photo
UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) runs against Tulane safety Lummie Young IV (23) during a collegiate game in New Orleans in November 2022.
Plumlee recently spoke with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Brian Batko and expressed his excitement to join the Steelers. Plumlee said he got to talk to members of the organization when he went to the Hola Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl college all-star games.
"I felt like Pittsburgh was the best spot for me," he said. "I'm super blessed to have the opportunity to go to Pittsburgh and cannot wait to get there."
Plumlee has taken an interesting path to the NFL. He started his college career at Ole Miss in 2019 as a backup quarterback, but became the starter after an injury to starter Matt Corral. He set a program record for rushing yards by a freshman during a game against New Mexico State. In his second year with the Rebels, he was once again the backup to Corral, but the team utilized his athletic skillset in some specialized packages. 2021 was his final year in Mississippi, and he was listed as a wide receiver. He made 19 receptions for 201 yards and had 72 rushing yards on nine carries. He transferred to the University of Central Florida in 2022. He started every possible game in two years with the Knights. He also played baseball at the collegiate level for Ole Miss and UCF.
Terrence Coakley / AP Photo
John Rhys Plumlee then of UCF competes in a college baseball game against Siena in 2023.
Plumlee said he had several interested teams in him throughout the draft process. Pittsburgh helped wow him to sign with them with a Zoom meeting about a week and a half before the draft.
"That had everybody on it, Omar [Khan], Coach Arthur [Smith], Coach [Mike] Tomlin," he said about the pre-draft session with the Steelers. "So had a lot of people on that and that made me feel important a little bit to get to talk to everybody."
Plumlee gets to stay with another team known for the Black and Gold. He said his high school also had the same color scheme, so he's used to it.
Steelers Finding A New Niche At Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger was special for the franchise during his 18-year tenure. While he was known for his ability to extend plays with his physicality in the pocket, he was never the most mobile of quarterbacks. 2007 was the lone season that Roethlisberger eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark. With Fields, Wilson, and Plumlee, the Steelers have a trio of athletic quarterbacks who can make plays with their legs.
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Former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (#3) scrambles out of the pocket during a professional football game.
Allen is a useful veteran presence with a good understanding of what it takes to be a professional backup, but he doesn't offer the mobility of the other three. That could potentially give Plumlee an avenue to make the team.
Tomlin has been on the record saying how important quarterback mobility is in the modern game and now his quarterback room is representative of that. Fields' stats running the football are already some of the best for a quarterback ever. Wilson isn't a rushing quarterback anymore and not the dynamic runner he used to be with the Seattle Seahawks. He still managed to post 341 yards on the ground with three touchdowns in 2023.
What did you think about Plumlee being excited to come to Pittsburgh? Do you think he can make the team? Comment below!
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