Two-time Steelers Super Bowl Champion Ryan Clark says the Steelers will not be able to compete until they find their franchise quarterback.
Talking on ESPN recently, Clark said it’s good that Mason Rudolph is a competitive player, “but when you’re looking at the other sideline and their quarterback is Josh Allen, it kind of shows you that you don’t have what it takes at the position.”
Assuming that Kenny Pickett doesn’t develop either, who could the Steelers get that would help them become a real contender?
Former defensive end Marcus Spears said on ESPN’s Get Up that Kirk Cousins would transform the Steelers into a Super Bowl contender.
Cousins could be a free agent this offseason if he doesn’t sign an extension with the Minnesota Vikings. He suffered and Achilles injury that kept him out half of the season.
Dan Orlovsky said on ESPN NFL Live that the Steelers should make three calls this offseason, with the third being to Minnesota about Cousins.
Orlovsky says the Steelers should first see where Chicago stands with Justin Fields. “If they’re going to take somebody at number one or keep him.”
The second call, according to Orlovsky would be to Tampa to see about Baker Mayfield. He adds he doesn’t think Mayfield and the Bucs will split since they made it to the Divisional round of the playoffs.
Another big name quarterback that could find himself in Pittsburgh? NFL.com says Russell Wilson could be the man.
“Wilson would need to compete with Pickett (a former first-round pick who, Tomlin says, is still the starter) for the No. 1 job, but I believe that kind of competition would get the most out of him,” said former NFL quarterback David Carr on NFL.com.
“You can’t go into next season with just Kenny Pickett,” said Orlovsky, who adds they should give him a chance to be the starter.
It’s going to be an interesting offseason at quarterback with Mitch Trubisky likely gone and Mason Rudolph’s future up in the air.
But, odds are Kenny Pickett will be the man Mike Tomlin has leading the offense in 2024.
What’s unknown is who will be behind him.