The Pittsburgh Steelers have been connected to every major quarterback that was anticipated to become available
during the 2024 offseason. Fans had begun to feel optimistic that perhaps things will get better at quarterback for
the squad the next season. It appears that any changes to the role will need to originate from within the company.
Sources told Mike DeFabo of The Athletic that even if the Broncos decide to let go of the nine-time Pro Bowler,
Russell Wilson would not be pursued by the Steelers.
“A source familiar with the coaching staff’s feelings on the quarterback at this stage of his career told The Athletic
that the Steelers are not interested in signing Wilson in the likely event that he is released by the Denver Broncos.”
Additionally, according to sources close to The Athletic, they will not pursue Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins, or Justin
Fields in the summer. Additionally, league sources informed The Athletic’s Dianna Russini that Pittsburgh is not one
of the clubs aggressively trying to trade for Fields. League sources also claim that Pittsburgh is not interested in free
agents Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield.
In the event that the Steelers pass on any of these prominent quarterbacks, Pittsburgh will once again start Kenny
Pickett at quarterback.
In the first two years of his career, Pickett has not lived up to expectations.
In 24 starts over those two years, he has only been accountable for 17 touchdowns, and as a quarterback, his
touchdown-to-interception ratio is 1:1.
Even still, it appears that the team is optimistic about his future success now that they have upgraded the offensive
line this offseason and given him a stronger offensive coach. It has already been reported that Arthur Smith’s
meeting with Pickett went well. Also speaking favorably of Pickett at his NFL Combine news conference was the
team’s general manager. Khan remarked, “He has shown us some good things.” It goes without saying that the
offense had some problems. I’m looking forward to seeing how Arthur Smith will influence him. Arthur has a lot of
hope for Kenny. In order to avoid missing their targets in 2024, the Steelers will need to hope that their optimism
pays off.
The Steelers’ choice of a backup quarterback this offseason will be much more crucial if Pickett stays as their starting
quarterback. Mason Rudolph was the team’s captain during a three-game winning streak in 2023 that guaranteed a
postseason berth. In 2024, they might find themselves going back to whatever their backup is.
Despite their quarterback play, the team has managed to compile a winning record over the last two seasons.
They might have to make a significant choice in the middle of the year if that turns out to be the case once more in
2024. They will require a solid backup plan in case they have to make that decision. Pickett’s replacement should be
someone they can trust.
With the chance to re-sign Rudolph and the availability of free agents like Ryan Tannehill and Garner Minshew,
there are some good alternatives available.
If the Steelers want to start 2024 with Pickett at quarterback, they just need to make sure they acquire the best
backup. If not, they could end up with another season in which they are too good to win a postseason game but too
good to receive a draft pick that they could use to acquire a franchise quarterback.
