The quarterback conundrum in Pittsburgh: Is it time to move on?

It’s been an odd year in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers are remarkably still in the hunt for that 7th playoff place, having secured yet another year with a .500 year or better, something that has astonished most given the play at times throughout the year.

One of the worst Steelers teams in recent memory, yet still sitting pretty at 9-7, with Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris making the most of the increased touches they have received given the poor display at the Quarterback position.

Kenny Pickett did little to enamour steel city fans prior to picking up an ankle injury, then with a flash backup Mitch Tribursky was ousted in favour of the perennial roster man Mason Rudolph who has produced a couple of christmas miracles but will not be worthy of the starting spot come September.

Time for a change at QB?

The Steelers are known for being a franchise that invests in long term projects especially when spending a lot of draft capital. Jumping into free agency to solve needs with lots of cash at the detriment to cap space is not their style.

However, you can’t help but feel that Mike Tomlin’s tether is wearing thin, he has likely been in the ear of General Manager Omar Khan in order to find a more suitable solution to his quarterback woes in the coming months.

Tomlin is performing miracles, with an offence lacking a leader and with the possibility of several veteran QBs hitting the trade block this offseason it will be interesting to see whether the Steelers move on from Pickett.

Let’s weigh up the options:

Stick with the same…

Give Pickett another year, look past his obvious lack of acumen in the passing game, his poor pocket presence and the fact an ageing Joe Flacco has thrown more TDs than him in just 5 games.

Hire another OC with promises of reviving the then 3rd year starter, and waste another year of Tomlin’s wizardry.

I think you can see where I am going with this…

Twist

Joe Flacco

Crazier things have happened, he is doing his best impression of Kurt Warner through the final weeks of the season, showing that his elite levels aren’t fading any time soon.

Whilst it is highly unlikely the Browns will allow him to start should Watson return from injury successfully, he will most likely find a backup spot for any number of NFL teams given the rise in importance this year has shown. The Steelers should at the very least enquire about his roster status come September.

Gardner Minshew

If the Steelers are to stick to old tactics and look into the draft for a quarterback, Gardner Minshew has done more than enough to prove his doubters wrong and show he can lead a franchise even if it is only in the interim.

Leading the Colts to 9-7 this year, whilst throwing for over 3000 yards and 15 TDs almost triple the output of Kenny Pickett (6 TDs). Minshew has left them in the mix with the Steelers for that 7th spot.

I for one would ride with a little Minshew Magic in Pittsburgh, and let’s face it that moustache would look great in the black and yellow.

Justin Fields

Are the Bears ready to move on with the first pick? Caleb Williams is calling and they are unlikely to let him slip despite Fields’s recent displays. 

A dual threat quarterback with a cannon of an arm when given the time, he needs a new start, with a good coaching group… the Steelers have the Head Coach, if they can pair that with a Quarterback whisperer at Offensive Coordinator (OC) there is no way Fields could resist surely?

Russell Wilson

A tumultuous end in Denver seems inevitable given Wilson being dropped for the remainder of the season. At times it was Danger Russ of old this year, and despite Sean Payton’s outbursts the Broncos have put together some good displays this year.

Russ looks like he could still cut it, and could be the leader that the young Steelers offense may need. He is hungry for championships, and in Tomlin he may find a muse to help him carve out a new era in Pittsburgh.

Verdict: Move on Pittsburgh