The Pittsburgh Steelers are most of the way through the first part of the offseason leading up to the draft. Before we get there, we’re going to take stock of how the roster has evolved over the past several weeks. Position by position, we’ll break down who’s coming and going and what’s next for those rookies and those already here.
Position: Quarterback
Total Positional Figure: 2
Offseason Additions: 0
Offseason Deletions: 2
Players Retained:
Mason Rudolph: For now, Mason Rudolph is the leader of the Steelers’ quarterback room. He is only one of two in there, and the only one who has played. He is almost the only one who has even practiced, for that matter. Yet his name seems to be conspicuously absent whenever the Steelers have talked about quarterbacks this offseason.
Will Howard: That’s not the case with Will Howard, last year’s sixth-round pick. New Steelers HC Mike McCarthy has talked him up several times already, and likely will do so again today. After injuring his hand before the preseason, he did show some encouraging signs. But all the team has to go on, for now, is practice reps. While the coaching staff turned over, the Steelers still have his position coach, Tom Arth, which is a pretty big deal.
Players Added: N/A
Players Deleted:
Aaron Rodgers: At least for now, Aaron Rodgers goes here because he is not a part of the Steelers’ quarterback room. They are on record as wanting him back, but at what price? According to Rodgers himself, he doesn’t have a tangible contract offer—not that he is about to sign one. Recently, Art Rooney II said the Steelers expect to have an answer from the quarterback before the draft. And that’s where we are, stuck in the same holding pattern.
Skylar Thompson: The Steelers actually carried Thompson as the third quarterback into last season after Howard’s injury. Then he suffered an injury himself and spent the rest of his season on IR. As of now, he remains a free agent, but they could re-sign him at any point. Especially if Rodgers doesn’t re-sign, or doesn’t do so in time for OTAs, it seems like a likely move. They liked him well enough last year, even if this is a different staff.
Notes And Draft Outlook:
Once again, the Steelers are held hostage by Aaron Rodgers, whom they hope returns as their starting quarterback. He got them to 10 wins last year, which I suppose is enough until they can find a long-term answer. But has the front office grown gun-shy about pulling the trigger, waiting for the perfect opportunity?
Last year, for example, the Steelers passed on a quarterback like Jaxson Dart in the first round. They, for all we know, made no pursuit of trading for anybody or signing any veteran other than Rodgers. While they are doing their due diligence on the draft, how interested are they, really? It seems unlikely the Steelers will take a quarterback in the first round. In the third round, however, or later? That’s certainly possible.
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