PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Oh the names, you might fill a 53-man roster with the names linked to the Steelers to be their next back-up or potentially starting quarterback. We’ll let you pick one from the names rumored:
Justin Fields (3rd season, Chicago)
It seemed to start as a fun discussion point and great a lot of traction thanks to comments from NFL Insiders like Adam Schefter who pointed out how much Mike Tomlin loves Fields.
Tomlin and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith were at Fields Pro Day at Ohio State three years ago. Fields has career 60% completion, 40 TD, 30 INT, 2,220 rush yards, 14 rush TD, 10 wins - and while only a $6 million cap hit this season, would likely be a $25 million or so cap hit for 2025, assuming his fifth-year option would be exercised. Fields would not come in to be the backup.
Russell Wilson (12 seasons, Seattle/Denver)
Will be released by the Broncos and with Denver still owing him part of his mega-contract, he might be available for slightly over league minimum. He was basically run out of Denver with his rocky relationship with head coach Sean Payton. Wilson is a former Super Bowl champion, that was 11 years ago. His last really good season was 2020, 40 TD, 4,212 yards although he did throw 25 TD to only 6 INT in 2021 with Seattle. He might not want to potentially be a back-up in the NFL yet.
Kirk Cousins (12 seasons Washington/Minnesota)
There is talk of Cousins’ camp watching the Steelers situation, given he made $35 million last year and would have the potential to be a starter and make much more elsewhere, it makes Pittsburgh a puzzling choice. The Steelers are currently roughly $3 million over the cap, according to overthecap.com, and while they will find room, finding anywhere from $30-40 million is likely out of the question. He would also come in to be the starter, not to be in a competition.
Ryan Tannehill (11 seasons Miami/Tennessee)
This is as much connecting the dots as anything concrete. Ryan Tannehill had by far his best seasons in Tennessee under Smith, the numbers back that up. In six seasons with Miami he never had a QB rating above 94, in his first season with Tennessee and Smith, led the NFL at 117.5 while leading the league in yards per attempt and completion with 22 touchdowns to six interceptions. He had a 106.5 QBR with 33 touchdowns to seven interceptions in his second season. Tannehill had Derrick Henry running the ball, if you combine Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, they at least approach Henry’s numbers. When it’s a play-action game, Tannehill not only could still win you a few games, hard to think of anyone who would have a better understanding of Smith’s offense than him. He also likely would be a number two.
Mason Rudolph (5 seasons, Steelers)
His teammates have his respect not only for how he handled being a number three, but what he did when he got his opportunity, he balled out. If he has other options, considering how he wasn’t given a chance to compete to be the starter for the last two seasons, you would wonder why he would want to stay in Pittsburgh. The familiarity is an advantage, it would create an interesting dynamic for the fan base between Rudolph and Pickett.
Josh Dobbs (6 seasons, Steelers/Titans/Cardinals/Vikings)
Tomlin loves him, too. It would be the reunion story after Dobbs made a couple of solid relief appearances. The numbers in 2023, 12 starts, three wins, 2,464 yards, 13 touchdowns, 10 interceptions with Arizona and Minnesota. He had another 421 rushing yards with six scores. Not sure where his head is in terms of being a starter or being content to ‘compete’ to be the starter back with the Steelers. He brings the mobility that Tomlin has said before that he likes in a quarterback. He’s as quality as it gets in a locker room.
Bo Nix (University of Oregon)
Let’s draw the obvious parallel, Tomlin watched him at the Senior Bowl. Nix had a good game after good practices at the Senior Bowl. So Nix will be drafted by the Steelers. Much here would depend on where he would still be available. Would the Steelers just a first-round pick on Bo Nix three years after drafting Pickett in the same spot? Second round there may be intrigue, the senior numbers are a reminder of Pickett. Third in the Heisman voting, just like Pickett, with 4.508 yards, 45 touchdowns and three interceptions and leading the Ducks to a big season.
Beyond all of those numbers, his game resembles Pickett’s as well.
Michael Penix (University of Washington)
He’s different. He’s a lefty that has the mobility to make plays with his legs, but not a runner as much as Dobbs or Fields. Another PAC-12 guy, can’t likely say that anymore, who is coming off a big season. He is also a transfer who took his game to a different level after leaving Indiana. Penix had 9,544 yards, 67 TD and 19 INT his last two seasons along with 7 rushing touchdowns. He might be available in round one, doubtful in round two. Similar question drafting him at 20 as with Nix.
Oh, there are more names of current NFL quarterbacks-Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minchew, Sam Darnold, Tyrod Taylor. Anyone want to start a Baker Mayfield rumor, could you imagine him quarterbacking the Steelers? Then Spencer Rattler, Joe Milton, etc. as later round draft picks.
There are the rumored options, who would you choose?