TAKING STOCK: 2022 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

BY ADAM GREENE

Last season saw the end of an era that was practically an epoch. Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback took his final snaps in the team’s Wild Card loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

For the last 18 seasons the Steelers had no concerns at quarterback, other than when Roethlisberger was dinged up. Now, it’s the entire focus of the offseason as the team must decide whether to make a trade for one of the available quarterbacks, draft a rookie or roll into battle with Mason Rudolph. I can assure you no one wants to see that last option become reality.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

2021-22 Record: 9-7-1, second place AFC North

Playoffs: Lost 42-21 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card Round

NOW WHAT?

It’s all about the signal caller and the Steelers have plenty of options before even getting to free agency and the draft. With the criminal side of Deshaun Watson’s legal issues at an end, the market for him ramps up considerably and if you follow Pittsburgh twitter at all, then you know the fan and media push to add the former Houston Texans Pro Bowl quarterback is high.

The Steelers should also be kicking the tires on Jimmy Garoppolo, who would have to be traded without a physical right now since he’s just had shoulder surgery. There doesn’t seem to be any danger of long term issues, but it has to be concerning to give up any real draft capital for a guy who won’t be able to throw a pass until the summer at the earliest.

Garoppolo would be cheaper and make the Steelers a playoff contender. Watson would be significantly more expensive and make Pittsburgh a Super Bowl contender. They’re a young team and should be seriously considering both.

FREE AGENCY

If the Steelers don’t make a QB trade, there are plenty of solid options in free agency. This is a particularly deep group of quarterbacks with five guys I feel should be looking at starting opportunities. I like a more mobile QB in a Steelers offense (which is why Watson would be so good in it), so Marcus Mariota would be my selection, followed by a Tyler Huntley or Jameis Winston.

Pittsburgh has plenty of cap space, currently sitting on around $31.2 million. They also have some key players possibly leaving, led by cornerback Joe Haden and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Both are good players, but neither is irreplaceable so the team will probably let them shop around. The Steelers are notorious for not paying their own guys when a bigger contract is due.

DRAFT

In my first mock draft, I had the Steelers taking quarterback Kenny Pickett out of Pitt with the No. 20 overall pick. While that selection would be popular with the locals, and certainly served by adding a guy like Mariota as a free agent, the push for Watson would end that altogether (and cost this pick and a few others). With no idea how many selections Pittsburgh will have by the time the draft rolls around, there’s no way to predict what they’ll do. They love taking linemen and linebackers and that would definitely fill a need later in the draft.

AFC NORTH

With the Cincinnati Bengals presumably filling their only real hole on the team (the offensive line) this offseason, the division should belong to them. Baltimore will be a factor with a healthy Lamar Jackson and Cleveland probably has the best overall roster in the division (unless they trade them all away before the season starts). Rolling with Rudolph or Pickett would probably mean at 5-12-ish finish at best. Mariota, Garoppolo or Watson will keep them playing into the middle of January.

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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