The biggest mistake the Steelers have avoided at quarterback
The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to have their fifth different quarterback in the last five seasons be their Week 1 starter this fall. Like so many teams have faced at various times, the Steelers are trying to navigate their way to finding answers at the quarterback position. After not having to worry about such things with Ben Roethlisberger playing 18 years, this new territory for the Steelers is becoming a little more familiar now that it will be reaching its fourth season.
But as the Steelers navigate the process of finding their next high-quality quarterback who they hope can add to their trophy case, it’s very easy to make the wrong decision along the way.
Based of the Steelers current situation at quarterback, it’s easy to say they have not yet figured it out. They are still on this journey to find a quarterback who will not only help them win in the present but can also give them hope for the future.
It’s easy to make a mistake at quarterback. More than half of the quarterbacks taken in the first round of the NFL draft don’t ultimately work out to be a starter for the long-term. It’s not an easy road to navigate. But as the Steelers have worked their way through things, there is one major thing they have avoided thus far…
The Steelers have not overpaid a quarterback who wasn’t the answer.
When the Steelers signed Mitch Trubisky during the beginning of the 2022 offseason, they did not break the bank. Trubisky did not have an average per year salary (APY) that reached $8 million. That is relatively cheap for a quarterback. Add in the rookie contract of Kenny Pickett and the cheap deals for Mason Rudolph both past and present, the Steelers have not paid very much. Even last season it was the Broncos footing the bill for Russell Wilson while the Steelers paid him the league minimum, and Justin Fields was in the final year of his rookie contract. The Steelers have not invested very much money in the position since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.
Although some people may look at that is the problem and think that the Steelers don’t have an answer because they haven’t paid someone, the Steelers have made sure that they have not overpaid a quarterback… at least this far.
With the limited quarterback options still available for the Steelers for 2025, my biggest concern still comes down to the contract. I like that the Steelers have not broken the bank at quarterback for someone who hasn’t shown they will be able to get the job done. And when looking at an aging veteran, especially one that hasn’t been with the Steelers, breaking the bank could be for someone who just doesn’t have anything left. If the Steelers offer a significant two-year deal for the likes of an Aaron Rodgers, what happens when it’s obvious after one season that he just doesn’t have it anymore? They have to bite the bullet for a year to get that contract off the books.
I’m sure as soon as I write this the Steelers will make a signing for a significant contract at the quarterback position. They almost have to. Personally, I would prefer they not. I would rather run the season with Mason Rudolph and whatever other options the Steelers could add to the room rather than overpay for someone who they know isn’t going to be their answer in three seasons from now. But that’s the way I look at it.
Getting the quarterback position wrong can set a franchise back for years with the biggest thing being the financial ramifications of the error. For now, the Steelers have at least avoided overpaying their options that have not worked out.
TOUGH on Heyward, and a lesser extent Watt & Fitz, but your point is well taken. Not many teams with 2 NFL starting quality QB (none?), so even if you trade Watt & tons of picks, they aren’t out there.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s the Steelers shuold stick with Mason Rudolph until the Steelers find a better quarterback in the N.F.L. draft
It seems as though pretty much the entire Steelers’ fan base would rather have Mason Rudolph play next year rather than whoever is left. Rudolph isn’t Super Bowl quality but neither are any of the other QBs that are still available.
Being that virtually no teams allow franchise QBs become free agents to begin with, it’s somewhat surprising that free agent QBs get as much as they get in free agency. By mere virtue of a QB being available to begin with says a lot. I mean, don’t look for the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, and others allow their QBs to become free agents anytime soon. Why teams are so eager to lavish millions on the other guys is beyond me.
I feel the same way. There are some very rare circumstances, like when Peyton Manning was available. Those are the exception and not the rule.
Pretty much, yeah.
Teams throw money at FA QBs for just the possibility they’ll play well. (Happens at other positions too, but for QB it’s nuts.)
Well that is true but also these teams that throw Big Money at QB’s are teams that really don’t try and develop QB’s. I forget who said it but that person said that teams should adjust their offense to what the QB does and not the way a lot of teams want it to be done. Take Mahomes for example: I know that the Reid and the Offensive Staff implemented things from Kingsbury Offense at Texas Tech and Mahomes capitalize on that, and it allowed his game to develop.