Longtime Steelers GM Kevin Colbert will soon be stepping down, but not until after the 2022 draft. So he will be tasked with setting the team’s course at quarterback in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era, and his modus operandi would suggest that a major splash is not in the cards.
Indeed, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears from sources close to Colbert that Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins will be retained and will be given the chance to compete for the starting quarterback job. Rudolph is under contract through 2022, and while Haskins is eligible for restricted free agency, he has apparently made a favorable impression on head coach Mike Tomlin and can likely be brought back with a minimal commitment.
Beyond those two, acquiring a player like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or any other veteran QB who might be available on the trade market should not be expected. In his 22 years atop the Steelers’ personnel department, Colbert has only traded a first-round pick for a player one time, when he acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Dolphins in September 2019.
Instead, adding a collegiate passer in the first round of the draft and allowing him to compete with Rudolph and Haskins is likely to be how Colbert elects to move forward. Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett has been mocked to the Steelers by a number of outlets, and the fact that the pro team shares a facility with the university makes it easier for Colbert & Co. to evaluate the Heisman candidate.
Rapoport says Pittsburgh is interested in Pickett, but with his stock seemingly on the rise, and with the Steelers not picking any higher than No. 19 depending on how far they advance in the playoffs, they might not have a shot at the local kid absent a trade-up. And Colbert has only traded up in the first round three times in his tenure.
Sign Teddy Bridgewater to a 2 year deal as a stop gap and draft a QB in the 2nd to develop.
Desmond Ridder
Carson Strong
Sam Howell
Wills, Corral, Pickett are probably gone by the time Steelers pick in the 2nd
Steelers probably take a pass rusher to pair with Watt or offensive line at #20 or wherever they wind up in the draft in the 1st
I don’t think Howell will be there when Pitt selects in round 2. I think they’d have to trade up.
there’s no way all those QBs are gone by then.
Wills, Corral, and Pickett? Yeah. Theyre all gone by the time the Steelers draft in the 2nd.
Howell, Ridder, Strong could possibly be available in the 2nd for the the Steelers.
Detroit, Washington, Atlanta, Denver, New Orleans all pick before the Steelers do and all have an immediate need at QB and could draft a QB in the 2nd or 1st.
Seattle trades Wilson theyre also in the mix for drafting a QB early.
Agreed. Someone will be available come mid 2nd round. Most of 2021’s second tier QBs went in the 3rd round.
@Darkside- Huh? You don’t think Corral, Pickett, and Willis will be gone by the Steelers 2nd round pick? I would bet $50 they are.
Don’t they have a first-round pick though?
“all”. some of them will be there.
He didn’t say all of the 6, he said all of Pickett, Corral, and Willis will be gone, which I would say is likely right now. So do they like Howell (I think he’ll be gone, too), Ridder, or Strong enough? Maybe Zappe? That’s what it comes down to.
Good gravy you are living on Fantasy Island
I’d rather gamble on Mitch Trubisky than trying to keep Bridgewater healthy.
I think I agree
I think I do too
Not a bad idea. Might be cheaper too.
Should trade for Minshew.
Most knew that Rodgers and Wilson were someone’s fantasy. Having watched Carr and Jimmy G a lot this year—guys who may be available—the Steelers hardheaded belief that they have all the answers will return us to the unforgettable Brister and Malone eras.
Neither of these guys who are going to be given the chance to compete will ever be more than a back-up
Personally, I would address the offensive line in round 1 and only draft a QB if one falls to us in the second round. For the time being, I think it would be wise to find a stopgap such as Jimmy G, Minshew, or Mariota to keep us competitive while we try to find the next franchise leader, but alas, I’m not in charge
Yeah I wanted them to go get one of those guys. You’ve seen Rudolph – he clearly isn’t the answer. Neither is Haskins, and I’m not convinced that someone like Pickett is, either. Jimmy G or Bridgewater should do the job for a year while they evaluate their options. Add Fitzmagic to that list, too.
Agreed. It all begins on the line and we need help on both sides.
Assuming the goal is to win and not waste whatever window the D gives you, its seems like there are only two real plays for them…
1) Draft Pickett. Trade up for him. Insane, I know. Go nuts for once.
2) If that doesn’t happen (QB’s only rise as the draft near, they might not be able to even if they wanted to) trade a late round pick for Garopolo. Will he stay healthy? Probably not, but the worst thing that happens is Mason Rudolph becomes the starter, which is what would happen otherwise. Roll the dice he stays on the field for most of the season and at least give yourself a chance to have a better Plan A than Rudolph.
I think Garoppolo is going to cost at least a 3rd.
At least a second. With a fourth or fifth, too. Something around what the Panthers got for Darnold.
With his contract?
OK, Rudolph it is.
Yeah, Jimmy G’s play in the second half of the season really upped his value and yet, he has plenty of detractors in that fan base. I like the guy’s arm and he gets rid of the ball quickly. More than anything else, he seemed to suddenly have a stream of consciousness in the second half and made better choices. But yes, unless they address the o-line, it won’t matter
Kind of think they’ll opt for free agents on the o-line and look for defensive linemen via the draft.
Then there’s that secondary. Oy
10 mins left in the 4th quarter. Garoppalo’s last two misses—-missed a wide open receiver and forced to punt. Threw a horrible pick.
That will teach me
There is no window with this team. They need a rebuild not a retool. They need offensive and defensive linemen inside linebackers, cornerbacks, wide receiver depth and especially a quarterback once the line is solidified. This is not a legitimate playoff team.
They legitimately were a playoff team, though. They were in the playoffs until about 20 minutes ago.
With a QB who couldn’t throw more than 10 yards most plays.
They had no business in the playoffs and yet we are being treated to a litany of congratulatory prose from local media, as they also fall over themselves to praise a QB who was done five years ago
There are so many problems with this team in all areas and while I was a Tomlin supporter, the problems start with him. My prediction is that they’ll do little this off season other than to promote from within, drunk on “the Steelers way”. There isn’t a wild card loser that would not have beaten this team but the bull-headed approach is something we can count on
It’s true, they have personally failed all of you by not winning the Super Bowl each year.
The people who ran Arians out of town have opinions on Tomlin.
Yinzers disappointed with barely above .500 football. Thinking they aren’t going to like .250 football. Long winter coming.
Is that your take-away, really? You equate my comment with being a spoiled “yinzer?”
For the record, I liked Arians. Hell, I liked Todd Haley and Ken Whisenhut, too. What a ridiculous reply
Addressing the fanbase as a whole, feel free to include yourself or not.
People are downright bitter that they finished above .500 and made the playoffs.
I don’t know anyone who’s bitter about a winning record or “making the playoffs,” in general. To some fans, that’s all it takes to denote a successful season. To others, especially those who watch a lot of games, it’s somewhat of an hallucination. The Chiefs game if nothing else should illustrate the chasm between the two teams in being a serious contender. To me, if the idea is to take the next step after each season, then examining glaring problems is in order, even from the cheap seats
As a fan, I’m not owed anything and I have no expectation of a Super Bowl run each year, let alone the playoffs or even a winning record. That’s not the point of critique at all
I understand all about the bitterness that you read here or within the comments of the PG. Some of it is the feeling of being entitled or spoiled. Some of it is directed at the coach for an entirely different reason. Understood
I simply take umbrage with the continued fawning over a team that tends to stagnate year in and year out.
Yeah, they made the playoffs, but if the idea is to contend, they’ve a long way to go
Not bitter. Not entitled. But that back-handed slap of calling someone a “yinzer” is so 1960’s
So the Steelers are tanking for a qb next year…..got it
The Steelers should bring back QB Landry Jones who still has a few tricks up his sleeve. link to youtube.com
Tank a season in 2022 with Rudolph and then get the top QB in ‘23. Start fresh to rebuild around that QB. If some guys like Watt get antsy about a rebuild, then trade them for a ton more draft picks to build the strongest team in the North.
We’re talking about the same Mason Rudolph
who couldn’t do anything against the Detroit Lions and had to settle for a tie. No thanks
You didn’t read what he wrote. 2023 is loaded at QB. This year stinks.
The best route for the long-term is give Rudolph another shot with Haskins and probably even a QB not on the roster (mid round QB, late FA signing) probably getting in when the inevitable happens. It’ll be the darkest Steelers season in a while, but at least ESPN stops prancing Tomlin’s no losing season record around. I see them with a pick like 6-12 which is better to take a QB without mortgaging future assets. Take the picks this offseason to build out badly needed depth
Not to my liking, but I think you nailed exactly what they’re going to do. Even if teams knock on their door, I just think they’ve already committed
Funny thing is he’s another guy who I thought would be a helluva QB based on what he did at OSU
Just don’t know if they can teach him pocket presence or looking off DB’s at this point. Slow decision maker
“but at least ESPN stops prancing Tomlin’s no losing season record around”
…”prancing”?
Trade for Jalen Hurts, please!!!
Who’s the worst guy, with the most upside?? That’s the key to the Steeler’s roster building equation..
Dwayne Haskins is one of those guys whose athleticism stands out in practice, but he fails when it comes to reading a defense or deciding whether or not to throw the ball into coverage.
Remember when the fools in the media drummed up som3 asinine narrative that Rodgers would go to Pittsburgh because he and Tomlinson smiled at each other? None of these media tubes has a cue. NONE.
Som3 guy named Tomlinson and none of the media tubes has a cue? WTF?!
Has their been an example of a mid round QB of average pedigree who was groomed for years and consistently showed mediocre results in his limited work who then went on to become a legit franchise QB?
AKA what they are asking of Mason Rudolph.
I can’t think of any.