Steelers Place RFA Tender On Dwayne Haskins
While the Steelers are in the market for a new starting quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger‘s two backups from 2021 are both under contract. Pittsburgh gave Dwayne Haskins a restricted free agent tender Friday.
The Steelers placed an original-round tender on Haskins, Pro Football Focus’ Doug Kyed tweets. Although the original-round tender sits third on the RFA salary hierarchy — behind first- and second-round tenders — it does effectively ensure Haskins will be a Steeler going into training camp. A team would have to give up a first-round pick to poach him, since Haskins was a first-round pick three years ago. The Ohio State product will be tied to a $2.54MM salary in 2022, barring an extension.
Haskins and Mason Rudolph‘s deals now run through the 2022 season, giving the team options — or depth, at least — under center. (Rudolph is set to earn $3MM in base salary next season.) The Steelers took a flier on Haskins following his quick Washington exit, and last season became a developmental year. After starting 13 games with Washington from 2019-20, the former high-end prospect did not play in 2021.
Pittsburgh has been linked to giving Rudolph a legitimate opportunity to succeed Roethlisberger. This would surely not go over well with the team’s fanbase, with the former third-round pick not impressing much in his starting chances thus far. Haskins has made more starts than Rudolph but played behind the longtime Steeler last year. The team has also been connected to Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston and Mitchell Trubisky, while it is believed to be high on Malik Willis. A Willis investment might take a trade-up for the Steelers, who hold the No. 20 overall pick.
Steelers Not Interested In Deshaun Watson
The Steelers are one of the few QB-needy teams remaining, but don’t expect them to pursue the most talented option that’s still on the market. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports (via Twitter) that the Steelers are not interested in acquiring Deshaun Watson.
[RELATED: Steelers Reportedly Targeting Winston, Bridgewater, Trubisky At QB]
With Ben Roethlisberger now out of the picture, the Steelers are clearly on the lookout for their next signal-caller (with apologies to Mason Rudolph). There’s a variety of reasons why the organization may be crossing Watson off their list. Of course, there’s the QB’s ongoing legal issues, and while there should be come clarity on his immediate NFL future when he appears before a grand jury Friday, a suspension is likely coming (regardless of an indictment). His uncertain playing status could be important to a Steelers squad that may be looking to return to the postseason. The organization could also be scared off by Houston’s asking price, which continues to be three first-round picks and more assets.
So if not Watson, who could the Steelers pursue? We heard recently the the team was targeting Jameis Winston, Teddy Bridgewater and Mitchell Trubisky, and the organization has also been connected to Liberty QB Malik Willis. The front office could ultimately decide to pair a rookie quarterback with a veteran.
There’s also Rudolph, who the organization has continually praised via the media. The former third-round pick had some success as a starter in 2019, guiding the Steelers to a 5-3 record while tossing 13 touchdowns vs. nine interceptions. The team will also be placing a restricted free agent tag on QB Dwayne Haskins, who could also end up competing for the starting nod.
Giants Favorite For QB Mitchell Trubisky?
Mitchell Trubisky could be heading to New York. A team source who is “in the thick of it for a competitive backup QB in free agency” believes that Trubisky will ultimately sign with the Giants and compete with Daniel Jones for the starting gig, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo (via Twitter).
[RELATED: Giants Likely To Target Mitchell Trubisky]
During a recent appearance on the Adam Schefter podcast, Trubisky spoke highly of the Giants and new head coach Brian Daboll, who the veteran QB worked under in Buffalo.
“I think of Coach Daboll right away because of my connection with him in Buffalo. I’m excited to see what he does in New York, really,” Trubisky said (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan). “I don’t know where I’m going to go, but I know whatever he does there, he’s going to do a great job with that offense. He’s a great leader of men. He’s just real and authentic with all the guys, and I think that is why so many people respected him in our building. So I’m excited to see what he’s going to do.
“And then, of course, New York, you think of the city. I haven’t been to New York that many times, but you think of big New York City and the Giants. So I know Coach Daboll will do a great job, and I’m excited to see that offense.”
We heard last week that Trubisky was on the Giants radar, but they weren’t necessarily considered the favorite at that time. We also recently heard that the former second-overall pick was “creating a lot of buzz” and would likely have a number of suitors pursuing him. After spending the 2021 season as Josh Allen‘s backup in Buffalo, Trubisky will likely have opportunities to compete for a starting gig elsewhere.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, Trubisky’s market could get so hot that the QB could end up earning more than $10MM annually. The ESPN duo also mention the Panthers and Steelers as potential landing spots, and they note that an organization deciding to pair Trubisky “with a first-round quarterback such as Malik Willis wouldn’t shock a few teams.”
While Trubisky isn’t a sexy name, you can still see the semblance of a capable quarterback when you squint. He had a 29-21 record as a starter, and he tossed 64 touchdowns vs 37 interceptions during his four years in Chicago. Any suitors surely wouldn’t guarantee Trubisky a starting gig, but he would make sense to pair with a rookie or unproven young player.
QB Fallout: Packers, Rodgers, Broncos, Wilson, Seahawks, Steelers, Panthers
Although the timing is rather conspicuous, the Broncos‘ move to acquire Russell Wilson may not be closely connected to Aaron Rodgers‘ decision to stay with the Packers. Denver did not engage with Green Bay on Rodgers this offseason, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports. The Broncos had been connected to Rodgers for nearly a year, when the then-disgruntled superstar included them on a list of acceptable trade destinations ahead of the 2021 draft. A previous report indicated Denver and Green Bay had trade terms lined up, in the event Rodgers informed the Packers he wanted out, but Schefter’s account would appear to contradict that. It does seem the Broncos were still eyeing Rodgers this year, with 9News’ Mike Klis reporting the team wanted to exit the offseason with either Wilson or Rodgers (Twitter link). After the Combine produced considerable buzz connecting Rodgers to a Green Bay return, Klis adds the Broncos and Seahawks’ Wilson talks accelerated. The clubs had been discussing Wilson for weeks. As such, it probably was not a coincidence both QB headlines occurred within hours of each other.
Here is the latest from an explosive day on the quarterback scene:
- Wilson made noise about his Seahawks situation in 2021, and Schefter notes those comments irked some within the organization. Wilson continued to say he wanted to stay in Seattle, but Schefter adds he planned to revisit some issues he had with the Seahawks at some point this offseason. The perennial Pro Bowler, however, did not try to force his way out of Seattle this year, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. The Seahawks kept Wilson in the loop on their talks with the Broncos, Breer adds. They certainly needed to run it by him, given the no-trade clause included in Wilson’s 2019 extension.
- The Broncos not only topped Wilson’s destination list, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com indicates they were the only team he wanted to be traded to this year. Denver does not have receivers who have proven as much as Tyler Lockett or D.K. Metcalf, but the team is deep at that position and employs promising running back Javonte Williams. Ex-Wilson Wisconsin teammate Melvin Gordon is on the radar to return as well. Wilson’s agent named the Bears, Raiders, Saints and Cowboys as acceptable trade destinations for his client last year, but the Broncos emerged as a candidate late in 2021. The Broncos passed on Wilson in 2012, taking Brock Osweiler in the second round, but the Colorado Rockies did draft him in 2010.
- Denver will keep one of its two 2022 second-rounders, sending Seattle its own 2022 and ’23 Round 2 picks, Mike Klis of 9News notes. The Broncos will retain the second-rounder they obtained in last year’s Von Miller trade (No. 64 overall). The fourth-rounder Seattle is sending to Denver is a 2022 pick, Schefter tweets. The Broncos also have two third-rounders this year, the latter of which acquired in the Miller deal. Miller is rumored to be back on the Broncos’ radar. Tuesday’s Wilson trade probably will not quiet those rumblings, though Klis suggests the longtime Bronco edge rusher is likely to end up elsewhere (Twitter link).
- The Steelers were connected to Rodgers last week, but ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes they were not believed to be major players on this trail (ESPN+ link). Bridge-type passers like Jameis Winston, Mitchell Trubisky and previous Broncos starter Teddy Bridgewater are believed to be on Pittsburgh’s radar.
- More than a dozen teams were believed to have contacted the Seahawks on Wilson, per Schefter. The Panthers, who have longtime Seahawks exec Scott Fitterer as GM, were among those to do so, Joe Person of The Athletic notes (subscription required). Carolina is still in the market for a quarterback. Considering the interest the team showed in Deshaun Watson last year, more rumors connecting these two parties figure to surface in the coming weeks. The Panthers remain interested, though Watson’s 2022 availability remains in doubt.
Packers Offer Aaron Rodgers Record-Setting Extension
Time is running out for the Packers, who have less than 24 hours to use their franchise tag on Davante Adams. It would certainly help the defending NFC North champions if the two-time reigning MVP gave them a definitive answer on his 2022 plans. Aaron Rodgers has said he intends to do so by Tuesday, and the Packers are giving the future Hall of Famer more to consider.
Thought to be torn on a decision to stay in Green Bay, Rodgers has now received an offer Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports would reset the quarterback market. Specifics are light, but the price would come in above Patrick Mahomes‘ $45MM-per-year contract. While Rodgers refuted the report he is seeking a $50MM-AAV deal, Fowler’s report of a market-altering extension would seemingly be in line with that previous situational assessment.
A three- or four-year pact would help the Packers with their cap. They are currently $27MM over; an Adams tag would cost $18.4MM. Although teams have until next week to move under the cap, the Packers are cutting it close with their two best players. Rodgers is tied to a $46.1MM cap number in 2022, which is second only to Matt Ryan‘s NFL-record $48.7MM figure. Rodgers announcing he wants to stay would mean that cap figure would be dramatically reduced. His current $33.5MM-per-year contract expires after the 2022 season.
[RELATED: Packers GM Never Promised To Trade Rodgers]
Green Bay has been rumored to be offering Rodgers a monster extension, and Fowler notes VP of football ops Russ Ball has been in talks with Rodgers’ agent. This comes after an offseason in which Rodgers, amid a feud with GM Brian Gutekunst and team president Mark Murphy, requested a trade. After Rodgers’ fourth MVP season (second-most all time), the Packers would prefer he stay. While they are not planning to take calls on Jordan Love, a Rodgers extension would presumably change that.
It is not a lock Rodgers accepts. Other teams will be willing to pay up as well. One looms in Denver. The Broncos remain in the mix here, with Fowler adding they are prepared to trade necessary draft capital to land Rodgers. The Steelers are believed to have inquired about trading for Rodgers, but Fowler adds the Packers have set such a high price — one that would include key young players as well as draft picks — assembling such a proposal would be difficult for teams to execute.
While the Steelers have an immediate quarterback need, the Broncos have been desperate here since Peyton Manning‘s retirement six years ago. Rodgers joining Denver would, like Manning’s move 10 years ago, vault the team onto the Super Bowl contender tier. The Broncos hold $39.4MM in cap space, and Pro Football Talk reported recently they have a trade package ready. The Broncos have been connected to Rodgers for nearly a year, when they appeared on his initial destination list in April 2021. Although Rodgers does not have a no-trade clause, it is highly unlikely a team would trade for him without knowing if he would sign off on the move.
AFC Notes: Bailey, Steelers, Collins, Weeks
Going into the last year of his contract, Patriots punter Jake Bailey was set to earn a base salary of $925,000 for the 2022 NFL season. Due to a proven performance bonus that was triggered when Bailey was selected to the 2020 Pro Bowl, Bailey is on track to be the NFL’s highest-paid punter with a 2022 salary of $3.98MM, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.
A knee injury limited Bailey in the 2021 season which saw him struggle to live up to his expected salary. It’s now assumed that the Patriots will begin working towards a contract extension to lessen the cap hit Bailey is posed to hold. In a normal situation, the Patriots might want to see another season of success out of Bailey after a down 2021, but Bailey’s raise puts a little pressure on New England to work out a deal sooner rather than later.
Here are a few more notes from around the AFC, starting with a note from the Steel City:
- In an article for The Athletic, Ed Bouchette poses the question: What does Pittsburgh do about their pass-catchers this offseason? The Steelers have long subscribed to the notion that they don’t need to sign a receiver to a multi-year extension (with the exception of Antonio Brown). They can (and do) always just draft another. Now, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud are headed towards free agency. They still have Diontae Johnson (heading into a contract year, himself) and Chase Claypool, but both have had their own issues: Johnson with drops and Claypool failing to improve on an impressive rookie-season. Pittsburgh can (and likely will) turn to the second and third round of the draft to address the thin roster, as usual, but do they break protocol to ensure they have at least three receivers they can trust?
- After a one-year deal brought him to Houston, defensive tackle Maliek Collins has the Texans hooked. The 3-tech tackle played a pivotal role in now-head coach Lovie Smith‘s defense and the Texans are determined to pluck him off the open market and keep him in Houston. Luckily for Lovie, the feeling is reportedly mutual, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network. Collins is a strong fit in Houston and embraced his new team and his role on the team. Smith gushed about Collins and his impact, identifying him as the linchpin of their defensive system.
- We mentioned a couple weeks ago that the Texans were able to re-sign long-time long snapper Jon Weeks on a one-year deal. Details on the contract were provided this week by Aaron Wilson on Twitter. Weeks will stay around the veteran minimum, slightly increasing his base salary from $1.08MM to $1.12MM and slightly increasing his signing bonus from $137,500 to $152,500. Consider it a cost-of-living raise for Weeks who will become the franchise’s longest-tenured player of all time when he reaches his 13th season this fall, passing star wide receiver Andre Johnson for the most seasons in Houston of all time.
Latest On Mitchell Trubisky’s Market
Mitchell Trubisky may not be destined for a future career as a backup after all. According to Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com, Trubisky “is creating a lot of buzz,” and teams are pursuing the QB “with the expectation he’ll compete for a starting spot.”
Given what has thus far been a tepid QB trade market, the free agent-to-be is gaining momentum, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. While passer-needy teams’ fanbases would surely not be pleased with a Trubisky addition, the ex-Bears flameout may soon find himself with a true second-chance opportunity as a starter.
The 2017 second-overall pick wore out his welcome with the Bears following four inconsistent seasons. Thanks in part to the roller-coaster regular seasons, his 0-2 playoff record, and his label as a draft bust (especially when you consider that the two other first-round QBs were Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson), Trubisky had to settle for a backup gig in Buffalo in 2021. He really only saw stints in garbage time, completing six of eight passes attempts for 75 yards.
While Trubisky isn’t a sexy name, you can still see the semblance of a capable quarterback when you squint. He had a 29-21 record as a starter, and he tossed 64 touchdowns vs 37 interceptions during his four years in Chicago. Any suitors surely wouldn’t guarantee Trubisky a starting gig, but he would make sense to pair with a rookie or unproven young player.
So which teams will have interest in the 27-year-old? Pauline previously reported that the Steelers would make a run at the quarterback, and one source told the reporter that Pittsburgh “would be a great fit.”
Steelers Reportedly Targeting Winston, Bridgewater, Trubisky At QB
The Steelers have repeatedly praised Mason Rudolph in public when asked about the team’s quarterback situation. However, they’ve also made it clear they intend to add competition for the starting job this offseason, something which will likely involve being active in free agency. According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, three QBs the team is targeting are Jameis Winston, Teddy Bridgewater and Mitch Trubisky. 
Winston, 28, is coming off of his first year as the starter in New Orleans, following an up-and-down five year stint in Tampa Bay and one season as Drew Brees‘ understudy. He won five of his seven starts, throwing 14 touchdowns and three interceptions, but suffered a torn ACL and suffered MCL damage on Halloween which ended his season. The former first overall pick could help New Orleans transition out of the Sean Payton era by coming back on what would, presumably, be a relatively affordable deal for the cash-strapped Saints. It was reported recently that the team could be interested in doing just that.
As for Bridgewater, Denver marked his third team in as many seasons. The former Vikings starter also spent time as the backup in New Orleans, but couldn’t find much success as the No. 1 with the Panthers or Broncos. His numbers in Denver – from completion and touchdown percentage, to yards per attempt and rushing averages – were essentially on par with his career figures. The 29-year-old (whose season also ended on IR, due to a concussion) is the most proven commodity of the three listed, and could be an effective stopgap for the Steelers as they search for a more permanent solution.
Lastly, Trubisky spent the 2021 campaign as Josh Allen‘s backup in Buffalo. Despite a Pro Bowl season in 2018, his second in the league, he will forever be tied to the fact he was taken second overall in 2017 ahead of the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. Without having developed as expected in Chicago, he found himself without a starting gig this past year, and threw only eight pass attempts. Like Winston, though, there is an appetite for the 27-year-old to re-sign with his current team.
As Wilson notes, and had been reported during the Senior Bowl, the Steelers are thought to like Liberty QB Malik Willis. He might have the best physical traits in this year’s class, though he is also said to be the least NFL-ready amongst potential first-rounders. Pairing him with one of these three veterans could add healthy competition to Pittsburgh’s in-house options, and increase their chances of finding Ben Roethlisberger‘s long-term successor.
Steelers Continue Interviews To Replace GM Colbert
With the announcement that general manager Kevin Colbert will be stepping down after the 2022 NFL Draft, the Steelers have been working to find his eventual replacement. Today the team tweeted out three more names that interviewed for the position this week: Ravens’ director of player personnel Joe Hortiz, 49ers’ director of player personnel Ran Carthon, and Eagles’ vice president of player personnel Andy Weidl. 
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team has also interviewed their vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan, someone we had mentioned as a candidate but had not yet reported as interviewed. Schefter also listed the team’s pro scouting director Brandon Hunt as a candidate who had been interviewed. This is the first time we’ve seen Hunt’s name mentioned in the conversations to replace Colbert.
To date Pittsburgh has interviewed 12 candidates, not including ESPN analyst Louis Riddick who was reportedly scheduled to interview for the position earlier this month.
With two months until the Draft, the Steelers appear in no hurry to make a decision. They will likely continue to take their time evaluating their prospects. Be sure to follow along with the latest on our 2022 NFL General Manager Search Tracker.
Steelers Notes: Colbert, QB Search, More
When speaking to the media on Monday, outgoing Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert provided an update on a number of topics, beginning with his personal plans. As Gerry Dulac of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports (via Twitter), he is unlikely to completely retire once his successor is named.
[Related: Steelers GM Kevin Colbert To Step Down]
Specifically, Colbert said, “I may or may not have a role” with the franchise after his contract expires following the draft. Dulac adds that the 65-year-old made his intention to step down clear last May, noting that “it was time from a personal standpoint, it was time from a professional standpoint”. ESPN’s Brooke Pryor tweets that Colbert is helping with the search for the new GM, which is primarily taking place before March 1st because teams can block candidates from interviewing after that date.
With regards to the top offseason priority in Pittsburgh – the search for a new starting quarterback – Colbert repeated the team’s public support of Mason Rudolph. “We have confidence that Mason, if we started today, would be our starter and we’re excited to see where that can go”, he said (Twitter link via Dulac). Rudolph holds a record of 5-4-1 as a starter after being a third round pick in 2018.
Here are some other Steelers notes, including more on the QB situation:
- Colbert made it clear that the team, as expected, will place an RFA tender on Dwayne Haskins. That will leave the Steelers with two incumbent signal callers, but Colbert said “we know we’re going to add to the position” in the offseason, adding that “we will go to camp with four” (Twitter link via Pryor). He didn’t specify what avenue the team could take to acquire other options, but they are expected to be active in any regard.
- Dulac tweets that Colbert acknowledged the unusually flexible position the team is in with regards to cap space, though he stressed that they traditionally don’t spend as much as other teams on the open market. He did, however, seem to “leave [the] door open to spend” this March.
- Pryor reports that the Steelers are open to retaining defensive tackle Stephon Tuitt for next year, the final one on his current contract (Twitter link). The 28-year-old missed the entire 2021 season with a knee injury, and is scheduled to have a cap hit of just under $14MM next year. He has 34.5 sacks in seven seasons, all with the Steelers.
- Finally, Pryor tweets that Pittsburgh has yet to decide whether or not they will pick up linebacker Devin Bush‘s fifth year option. “I think Devin Bush will be a better player in 2022”, Colbert said, referring to his recovery from a torn ACL. It had previously been reported that the team wasn’t picking up the option, but doing so would leave a significant hole in the middle of the team’s defense.