One of the biggest talking points in Pittsburgh right now, of course, is the uncertainty the team is facing at the quarterback position. With it all-but guaranteed that Ben Roethlisberger has played his final snap in the NFL, the central focus of HC Mike Tomlin‘s end-of-season press conference was the team’s plans to replace him. 
As Tomlin said, “all options are on the table” with respect to finding a new signal-caller. He expressed a level of “excitement” about the process, which could include any combination of free agency, trades and the draft. Let’s look at some of their options in each capacity:
First off, the team’s in-house options need to be considered. Mason Rudolph is the only QB with a contract for 2022, but Dwayne Haskins could easily be brought back as well. The former has been with the team since being drafted in the third round in 2019, making 10 total starts. His overall play has been inconsistent and underwhelming, though, which prompted the team to bring in Haskins last year. The 2019 first-rounder crashed out of Washington and has only made 13 starts in his three-year career. Tomlin left the door open for each to “establish themselves” going forward.
As for free agency, the team is positioned to have an unusually high degree of flexibility. With over $30MM in projected cap space and not many impact UFAs to sign, the Steelers could add a veteran without much issue. The two best options on that front, however, are likely Jameis Winston and Teddy Bridgewater. Winston’s second season in New Orleans – and first as the starter – came to an abrupt end with a torn ACL after just seven games. He would probably offer more upside, if healthy, in 2022 than Bridgewater, whose first year in Denver saw him essentially match his career numbers and confirm himself as a low-end starter. Pittsburgh, or any other QB-needy team could still do worse in free agency than the consistent 29-year-old, though.
As for the trade market, bigger names – but much more uncertainty – are involved. Veterans Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson are names frequently thrown around in trade speculation, and the Steelers may be able to afford taking on their contracts if they so desired. However, the former has recently made comments that are a far cry from his trade request made last year. As for Wilson, meanwhile, the team has just decided to keep most of its front office and coaching staff in place, and has no plans to trade the seven-time Pro Bowler. The biggest x-factor in the QB market, of course, is Deshaun Watson. The Texans are indeed looking to move the 26-year-old, but there has yet to be a resolution with respect to his ongoing sexual misconduct allegations.
Some other veterans are being mentioned as trade candidates as well. Established starters who are set to enter the final year of their contracts include Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo. The cap hits of those respective deals cover quite a range, which will play a role in how easy they are to move. In the case of Cousins and Carr, new head coaches and general managers will ultimately decide whether to re-commit to them, or look elsewhere for replacements and make them expendable. For Garoppolo, it has been widely known for quite a while that the franchise is ready to move on to 2021 first-rounder Trey Lance.
The final avenue is the 2022 NFL Draft. This year’s QB class is generally seen as underwhelming, and there is no clear-cut, can’t-miss type of prospect as there has been in recent years. One of the top options is Kenny Pickett from the University of Pittsburgh, who many regard as the most complete – perhaps safest – option. Other names include Ole Miss’ Matt Corral and UNC’s Sam Howell, both of whom took their programs to new heights with hugely productive careers. Smaller-school options include Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, who led his team to an unprecedented CFP semifinal appearance, and Liberty’s Malik Willis, who, while very raw, may have the best overall physical traits in the class.
Tomlin made a point in stressing the need for mobility in the new QB, which may lend itself to a draftee being given the reins. In his first mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Steelers selecting Corral 20th overall. Meanwhile, the Athletic’s Dane Brugler has Pittsburgh taking Howell with that same pick in his latest mock.
One factor to keep in mind is the recent news that offensive coordinator Matt Canada is expected to be back in 2022. The new quarterback – whomever it ends up being – will be tasked with trying to fully implement his scheme, something that the team struggled to do in Roethlisberger’s final year.
Let us know who you think will be the Steelers’ Week 1 starter in 2022 below.
If you didn’t select “in-house option”, you clearly don’t understand how this current coaching/management regime works.
I have little doubt they’ll bring in another Free Agent QB but he’s most likely not starting Game 1 of the season
So you would bet money on Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins starting week 1 for a team that wants to compete? Tomlin didn’t sound all that enthusiastic about either during his last presser.
I would
It will be Rudolph and I am interested to see Rudolph QB for an game designed for him and not just put into an offense not designed for the abilities of another QB’s abilities and he is just temporarily taking over. May not change or he may do well. We shall see.
1. Jimmy Garapollo
2. Mason Rudolph and they draft a qb in the 2nd or 3rd (Strong, Ridder, Howell)
3. Kenny Pickett Malik Wills or Matt Corral if Pitt takes one in the 1st or trades up in the 2nd to get one
4. Teddy Bridgewater
5. Marcus Mariota
I like Corral or Pickett at 20 or Ridder or Willis at 52, if they choose to go that way. Not sold on Howell or Strong’s upside as anything more than a David Carr/Kirk Cousins/Ryan Tannehill type. All of whom fall into the “not good enough to win a SB without a legendary running game and/or defense” category, in my book. Honestly Pickett is likely in that bucket too, but as a PITT fan I like to think he can be Herbert-esq.
Honestly I just don’t think any of those guys will be there at those spots. Too many needs at QB by the teams in front of them. Willis is risky in the 1st unless they love him and have a very strong development plan for him. Ridder just doesn’t seem like a 1st Rd pick to me, but likely doesn’t make it to 52. Maybe someone trades up to 32 for him or Willis a la Lamar Jackson.
All of those are average guys except Pickett potentially, who is too much to invest in, assuming he doesn’t fall to 20. I want Huntley man. I’m guessing the ravens will want him back, but he did a lot for that team this year. Low risk high reward imo.
$25 mil for a 31 year old Garapolo ain’t happening. Plus, he’s only there for one year and then a FA. They have too many holes for an expensive average QB to help them.
25mil for Jimmy G is a bargain! what are you talking about?
It could be that the 49er’s are unable to find a trade partner because of that price tag and end up releasing him. Then the Steelers could sign him as a free agent. That is the scenario I envision and the reason I chose “free agent” in the poll.
They’ll explore other options but will circle back to letting Rudolph and Haskins compete for the gig when they don’t find a trade to their liking or a QB they like available to them in the draft.
Spending more cap dollars on a guy that isn’t much of an upgrade over Rudolph is a waste of resources. The team isn’t good enough to win a ‘ship in 2022 without a Franchise QB. Accept it as a building year, get a Top 10 Draft pick in 2023 and go get your guy then.
Spot on, don’t reach for a QB and cause these low times to last longer than necessary. We don’t need to dig a deeper hole to get out of than we are already in
I can’t envision a scenario in which Tomlin is alright with tanking.
1. Tomlin is never going to say “naw, we aren’t trying to win the Super Bowl this year”
2. Tomlin decides who starts and who sits, GM has final say on player acquisition. Does Tomlin have influence? Sure. But its not up to him.
Tomlin wants a vet I’m sure. But finding a vet that is a clear upgrade from Rudolph in FA isn’t a simple task, and there are a reason why QB’s are rarely traded — they wont want to part with the picks for a bridge QB.
Who do you have in mind? How much are you thinking they’ll have to give up for him?
I ‘m thinking the Steelers would be a good fit for R Wilson. The team is on the verge of contending and Wilson has the credentials to push them beyond their 2021 finish. Their defense is really a strong point.
And he’s used to playing behind a truly ****y offensive line…
The Steelers are NOT on the verge of contending. Too many holes on offense and defense.
Jimmy GQ seems like a solid guess
No. Why give up desperately needed draft capital for an overpaid average QB?
I think giving up a little draft capital for somebody like Kirk cousins would definitely be worth it
But I agree Jimmy Garoppolo it’s probably not a good move
Let’s all take a second and be honest with ourselves about the state of the current roster. We are far from being just a QB away from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender. We need all of the draft capital and cap space we can get in order to rebuild the roster to be a consistently competitive force. There are no QBs in free agency or this draft that will magically turn this roster around, so don’t sacrifice picks or cap space now when they are so vital to building the rest of the roster. Rebuild the lines on both sides and retool our skill positions so that in two to three years bringing a stud college qb or capable veteran in will give them a legitimate chance to succeed. Us Steelers fans are a proud bunch and the thought of a few losing seasons seems unfathomable, but we need to be realistic about our situation and not sacrifice more of our future just to finish 7-9 the next few years.
This won’t sell on ESPN, so we’ll be stuck talking about the potential heir-apparent until sometime after the 2nd round of the draft.
To their credit, the Steelers have never been an organization that over reacts and jumps at the quick fix. I’d expect them to address other positional needs and have the necessary support structure in place before spending valuable draft capital for a franchise QB. They certainly don’t have to worry about losing fans to the inept Pirates so they can take the time to rebuild the right way.
This ^^^
Brian Sipe.
Seriously, you want Haskins’ talent and I guess Mason’s maturity, but just as a stop gap for 1-3 years for a rebuild.
Would love to see Deshaun Watson here. But the baggage and asking price will be too much
Would love to see Jimmy G here. But this would mean the Tomlin regime admitting failure
They’re going to go with who they have and bring in a second tier QB like Trubitsky to make it look competitive.
In a conference with Mahomes, Burrows, Herbert, Lamar, even Carr, that’s ridiculous.
This will be an off season of promoting from within, the draft, and perhaps an o-line signing. I was a Tomlin supporter for years but the stubborn approach is unfortunate
I just don’t think Garoppolo is that good, and he can’t stay healthy. Watson I don’t think they would even consider. If they were to bring anyone in my choice would be Cousins if the Vikings release him, which might happen due to cap issues… but I just don’t know if pursuing an expensive veteran is the way to go this year for the Steelers. They have so many glaring holes on that roster that I question whether they can put a large percentage of their available resources to the QB position. We may just have to deal with middling QB play in Pittsburgh for a year or three until the right draft pick comes along. And frankly we all knew it would likely come to this once Ben finally retired, didn’t we?
You included Lamar and Carr, but didn’t include the best of them all Josh Allen. Come correct.
Jeez, you’re right. Thanks. One helluva oversight
They should inquire about the cost of Kirk cousins
I’m a lifelong Steeler fan FWIW. I would put the chances of the Steelers brining in an outside veteran at 1%. For one, it’s just not how they usually operate. For another, they are already a bit short on draft capital and really shouldn’t be giving any more away unless it’s a real obvious upgrade over Rudolph and Haskins… and the guys who are obvious upgrades are either not going to be available or will cost too much to make it worthwhile. As others have said, this team has too many other needs, and also too many other veterans to consider re-signing, to be dropping a lot of cap space on a veteran who may or may not work out.
I see them spending maybe a Day 2 pick on a decent QB prospect if they find one to their liking. But I have a gut sense that the Steeler starting QB next September will be… Dwayne Haskins. I’m not saying he should be or that he will be successful, just that he will be, He fits Canada’s (questionable) offense far better than Rudolph, or Ben, ever will. Tomlin wants a more mobile QB. Haskins has had a whole year to settle in and learn things. If (and it’s a huge”if”) Haskins has screwed his head on straight, I think he has the talent to be an NFL starting QB as long as he applies himself fully. I could be completely wrong and I won’t have trouble saying so if I am… but Rudolph has proven he isn’t the answer, and Haskins has the chance to prove that he can be.
If Tomlin wants a more mobile guy, Haskins is NOT the solution. Stephen A. Smith got torn apart for this exact same line of thinking because Haskins is simply not that athletic and he certainly isn’t a running QB. He is much closer to Brady than he is to Lamar or Kyler. He really isn’t even in the same athletic stratosphere as Allen, Rodgers, or Mahomes.
He averaged 1.9 ypc at Ohio State and has only run the ball 40 times in 16 games as a pro.
And yet…still more athletic than Rudolph.
I don’t think he was trying to sell you on Haskins being a runner as much as he was acknowledging Rudolph is a statue.
I would kind of rather see Haskins than Rudolph, simply because we have seen Rudolph quite a bit, and it has been unimpressive to say the least. We’ll get to tune into another year of Dink ‘n Dunk football with receivers who drop too many passes for that to be effective.
I just struggle to see Haskins beating Rudy in preseason. I’m not sure he’ll get better without playing. He’s been practicing against 3rd stringers all year…
I think Haskins would be a below average QB throwing from a clean pocket with wide open receivers to throw to. Behind the current O-line and this group of receivers? Total disaster.
We keep seeing “leaked” notes from people who say they’ve heard Tomlin say he wants a vet. That may be true but going all in doesn’t seem to the team’s MO
They surprised everyone by trading up to draft Bush. And they went out and got Minkah. Maybe the sands have shifted
Someone above said that Tomlin doesn’t have the entire say-so where draft picks and trades are concerned. That’s ridiculous
It’s going to be an interesting off season but I’ll temper any expectations.
You honestly believe Tomlin has 100% authority on who this team drafts and signs? I guess Kevin Colbert has just been napping the last 15 years, eh?
Colbert would have retired a long time ago if that were the case.
Now…you want to make the argument that if Colbert retires and Hunt or Khan is promoted Tomlin will have even more say than usual this year? Perhaps. Perhaps not.
For what its worth, when both were asked last offseason who has final say, the both said “Mr. Rooney is boss on draft day”.
No, but I do believe Colbert and Tomlin were usually on the same page. I would doubt very much that anything was done without some semblance of agreement
Not disagreeing with that, and again, they have said as much themselves.
My point is this: If Tomlin says “Lets go get David Carr or Kirk Cousins or Jimmy G via trade. I want a vet.” And Colbert says “We could do that, BUT look at this prospect — he’s our next franchise QB. Do you want to trade those draft picks for a 2 year bridge or a potential 15 year SB window?”
I just can’t see Tomlin saying no to that. At the end of the day Colbert and his team are the scouting experts. If the player fits Tomlin’s scheme and need, I imagine its a very easy conversation.
So whether that rookie(s) is in this draft or next, I do believe it trumps Tomlin’s desire for a vet unless its a FA (or Aaron Rodgers). Just due to opportunity cost.
Now, if you think Tomlin will pound the table to sign a Trubisky, Mariota, or Bridgewater, then sure. I just don’t think any of those guys are enough of an upgrade to spend the (roll-over-able) cap space on.
As I said earlier, I fully expect them to “explore all options”. I’m just confident they’ll end up back at Rudolph and Haskins for 2022, whether they are thrilled about it or not.
Solid points. Very difficult to see any “franchise QB” in this draft class, although I do like Pickett and am not particularly a Pitt fan. But then again, would anyone seriously have foreseen most of the current top QB’s as “franchise” variety?
I agree with your assessment about where they will be come training camp, albeit for different reasons. My view has always been that there is a stubborn streak at work and quite simply, they’re going to exhaust the possibility of their players not excelling, whether it’s at quarterback or o-line
Agree about Teddy, Trubitsky and Mariotta —none of these guys are a viable alternative
Mahomes, Allen, and Herbert are perfect examples of high risk, high reward players that teams said “this is our guy, we can develop him in our system”.
None were top 5 picks. 2 were traded up for from outside the Top 10.
Find your guy, get him. Hope like hell you’re right!
Tyler Huntley is who I want. Build the line up and let Najee do his thing and hope a mobile qb can open more things up. Nothing will be cleaned up on offense until the line is fixed.
Most of the solutions put forth involve being lousy for a few years. If that’s the plan, trade Watt and Fitzpatrick now.
OR
Trade up for Pickett or trade for one of the non-star QB’s (Carr at the top of that list) and then use Ben’s money to buy a serviceable line. That’s a readily available path to contention. They just have to be willing to take a different path than usual.
If “stopgap” is the route, then they could do worse than a little FitzMagic
Trade for Jalen Hurts, Philly can use Minshew as a bridge to when they can get that franchise QB.
I wouldn’t give up a ton for Hurts, but I’d take either of those guys for the right price.
Minshew may not be any better than Rudolph, but he’d sure be more fun.
I think there’s a 25% chance Ben returns for 1 last run. He didn’t sound like he wants to retire.
If he in fact retires then if I were the GM I’d seriously reach out to Blaine Gabbert, he’s 32 and is physically gifted unfortunately he’s played for bad teams , excluding Tampa. If Brady he’ll be Tampa’s starter next year but if Brady comes back then Pittsburgh should approach him. They could probably sign him for $7,000,000 + incentives and he’d be a good bridge QB to whomever Pittsburgh drafts.