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The Steelers thought they’d picked their quarterback of the future just two years ago. But now there’s serious chatter about the team trading for another.
Steelers president Art Rooney II said earlier this week that signing another veteran QB isn’t out of the question, with Pittsburgh testing the trade market.
“Well, you know, as we sit here early February, we’re not closing the door on anything,” Rooney told KDKA-TV. “We have a lot of evaluations to go through and we’ll go through all the options and do what we need to do to be better this coming season.”
He also added: “The next step, number one, would look like more points, week in and week out. Just being a more effective offense, continuing to do some of the things we were able to do this year in terms of ball control, being able to run effectively, but then add on top of that, scoring more touchdowns.”
BREAKING: Steelers President Art Rooney II tells the legend @kdpomp that the Steelers are NOT closing the door on a quarterback trade. (i.e. Justin Fields) pic.twitter.com/5Rx8lphYT0
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 7, 2024
The Steelers season ended when they lost their opening playoff game to the Bills. Mason Rudolph started the game for Pittsburgh. But until December, Rudolph hadn’t seen regular season action since 2021. Kenny Pickett, the team’s first round selection in 2022, was healthy for the final two games. But coach Mike Tomlin stuck with Rudolph, rather than going back to Pickett.
Since the season ended, Tomlin promised that he still supports Pickett, but he wants the young quarterback to be pressed.
“There’s always competition in this thing. We don’t anoint anyone,” Tomlin told reporters last month. “Man, I’m appreciative of his efforts and where he is and excited about continuing to work with him. But certainly, he will be challenged from a competition perspective moving forward. Competition brings out the best in all of us.”
There is buzz that the Steelers may be looking to swing a deal with the Bears. Chicago owns the top pick of April’s NFL Draft thanks to their trade with the Panthers last year. The Bears may want to use the pick on a quarterback, possibly Caleb Williams. They’ve got Justin Fields, their first rounder from 2021. But if Chicago goes quarterback with No. 1, the Bears aren’t keeping Fields. And he could be available for the cost of the Steelers first-round selection.
The Steelers also could stick with what they have, but with some tweaks. Pickett, who missed five games because of the ankle injury, and a rejuvenated Rudolph can compete for QB1. It’s doubtful that Pittsburgh would keep Mitch Trubisky, the veteran who struggled to replace Pickett.
The Steelers own the No. 20 pick of April’s NFL Draft.
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