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Throughout the first couple weeks of the 2022 off-season, I will be going through each position group for the Pittsburgh Steelers to determine where that group was at in 2021, and where they currently sit going into 2022.
As it stands today, the Steelers are expected to have more than $42.7 million in cap space based on a projected $208.2 million 2022 NFL salary cap figure. That leaves them with the most cap room heading into an off-season in over a decade, and is the 9th most in the NFL.
I took a look at the offensive line already (links to the other position groups will be at the bottom of each article), so now it is a time to look at the one position group with the most questions heading into the offseason. Quarterbacks…
Starter: Ben Roethlisberger
Key Reserves: Mason Rudolph
Depth: Dwayne Haskins, Joshua Dobbs
The Steelers went into 2021 without much change to this group. Future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger returned as the starter for his 18th season. Fourth year player Mason Rudolph returned as his primary backup. Joshua Dobbs spent all year with the team, his 4th in 5 NFL seasons, but was placed on season ending injured reserve early in the year. The only ew face to this group was third year QB Dwayne Haskins, who was formally a first round pick by the Washington Football Team.
This position group underperformed as a whole. Roethlisberger started 17 of a possible 18 games only missing one due to being on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. He completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,740 yards and 22 TDs while only throwing 10 interceptions. On the surface those numbers look solid, but those numbers are deceiving. He averaged a career low 6.2 yards per attempt and it was clear that at times he couldn’t move outside the pocket like the Big Ben we all remember. However, he still performed well enough to get this team to the postseason yet again.
Rudolph is the only other QB to see playing time making one start against the Detroit Lions in Roethlisberger’s absence. Overall he played poorly finishing the game 30/50 for 242 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. One start isn’t a lot to go on but he missed several throws in that game, against an at the time winless Lions team, that lead to the game ending in a tie.
Under Contract: Mason Rudolph
Futures Contracts: None
Free Agents: Ben Roethlisberger, Dwayne Haskins (RFA), Joshua Dobbs
As of writing this it has been reported that the Steelers intend to tender Haskins with an original round tender. It hasn’t been officially announced by the team yet, so as of now I am leaving him in the free agent list above.
The only QB on the roster right now for 2022 is Rudolph, and that isn’t good for several reasons. First off, you need at minimum 3 quarterbacks throughout the offseason and most teams like to carry 4-5. That means the team has some work to do in adding bodies to this group, even if Haskins does in fact sign his tender.
In addition to that, most of SteelerNation definitely has concerns if Rudolph and Haskins are the top two quarterbacks on the roster heading into the 2022 NFL season. Rudolph has been on the team for 4 seasons now, and while he has had limited playing time outside of his 2nd season in 2019, there is very little he has shown to give people confidence in him. Haskins also has his issues, as he was given up on by WFT in less than two seasons. He has shown to have immense physical talent, which the Steelers staff and players have never been shy to hype up, but he hasn’t shown much development throughout his time in the league so far.
It’ll be very interesting to see how both Rudolph and Haskins develop over this offseason while both get first team reps most likely.
The Steelers no doubt need to add some bodies to fill out this group like I said above, but who they add and what level of talent they add is going to be very telling about their thoughts for the 2022 season. If by the time the 2022 NFL Draft passes the Steelers haven’t added anyone that would be a favorite to start over Rudolph or Haskins it would be slightly surprising, but not out of the question. There are some interesting names in the draft, although a relatively weak QB class this year, and a lot of players that could be had via trade or free agency.
High Dollar: Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor
Non-High Dollar: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mitchell Trubisky, Jacoby Brissett
High Asking Price: Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson
Low Asking Price: Matt Ryan, Gardner Minshew
Early Picks: Kenny Pickett (Pitt), Sam Howell (UNC), Carson Strong (Nevada), Malik Willis (Louisiana)
Late Picks: Bailey Zappe (WKU), Aqeel Glass (Alabama A&M)
There is very view people that would deny the Steelers view both Rudolph and Haskins highly, and they have solid reasoning. They have 4 years invested into Rudolph after spending a 3rd round pick on him and Haskins is as physically talented as anyone in the league. However, neither have shown much in the NFL to this point, and it could turn into a long 2022 if the team is handed over to them and they haven’t made necessary improvements. I don’t want the Steelers to sell out and trade half their draft capitol to trade for an elite QB as they have many other holes to fill. But I do want them to bring in a veteran QB to at least compete for the job, or at least be able to continue to provide a mentor to the two since they’re still young.
I am also not super high on this draft class for quarterbacks, as the 2023 class appears as though it’ll be much better. So potentially reaching for a QB this season could be a poor choice as well unless one falls into their lap in the 2nd round.
Let us know below what you think of the Steelers quarterback situation as we head into the 2022 offseason!
#SteelerNation
Offensive Line Review
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
As it stands today, the Steelers are expected to have more than $42.7 million in cap space based on a projected $208.2 million 2022 NFL salary cap figure. That leaves them with the most cap room heading into an off-season in over a decade, and is the 9th most in the NFL.
I took a look at the offensive line already (links to the other position groups will be at the bottom of each article), so now it is a time to look at the one position group with the most questions heading into the offseason. Quarterbacks…
Steelers 2021 Quarterback Room
Starter: Ben Roethlisberger
Key Reserves: Mason Rudolph
Depth: Dwayne Haskins, Joshua Dobbs
2021 Review
The Steelers went into 2021 without much change to this group. Future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger returned as the starter for his 18th season. Fourth year player Mason Rudolph returned as his primary backup. Joshua Dobbs spent all year with the team, his 4th in 5 NFL seasons, but was placed on season ending injured reserve early in the year. The only ew face to this group was third year QB Dwayne Haskins, who was formally a first round pick by the Washington Football Team.
This position group underperformed as a whole. Roethlisberger started 17 of a possible 18 games only missing one due to being on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. He completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,740 yards and 22 TDs while only throwing 10 interceptions. On the surface those numbers look solid, but those numbers are deceiving. He averaged a career low 6.2 yards per attempt and it was clear that at times he couldn’t move outside the pocket like the Big Ben we all remember. However, he still performed well enough to get this team to the postseason yet again.
Rudolph is the only other QB to see playing time making one start against the Detroit Lions in Roethlisberger’s absence. Overall he played poorly finishing the game 30/50 for 242 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. One start isn’t a lot to go on but he missed several throws in that game, against an at the time winless Lions team, that lead to the game ending in a tie.
2022 Outlook
Under Contract: Mason Rudolph
Futures Contracts: None
Free Agents: Ben Roethlisberger, Dwayne Haskins (RFA), Joshua Dobbs
As of writing this it has been reported that the Steelers intend to tender Haskins with an original round tender. It hasn’t been officially announced by the team yet, so as of now I am leaving him in the free agent list above.
The only QB on the roster right now for 2022 is Rudolph, and that isn’t good for several reasons. First off, you need at minimum 3 quarterbacks throughout the offseason and most teams like to carry 4-5. That means the team has some work to do in adding bodies to this group, even if Haskins does in fact sign his tender.
In addition to that, most of SteelerNation definitely has concerns if Rudolph and Haskins are the top two quarterbacks on the roster heading into the 2022 NFL season. Rudolph has been on the team for 4 seasons now, and while he has had limited playing time outside of his 2nd season in 2019, there is very little he has shown to give people confidence in him. Haskins also has his issues, as he was given up on by WFT in less than two seasons. He has shown to have immense physical talent, which the Steelers staff and players have never been shy to hype up, but he hasn’t shown much development throughout his time in the league so far.
It’ll be very interesting to see how both Rudolph and Haskins develop over this offseason while both get first team reps most likely.
NFL Draft and Free Agency
The Steelers no doubt need to add some bodies to fill out this group like I said above, but who they add and what level of talent they add is going to be very telling about their thoughts for the 2022 season. If by the time the 2022 NFL Draft passes the Steelers haven’t added anyone that would be a favorite to start over Rudolph or Haskins it would be slightly surprising, but not out of the question. There are some interesting names in the draft, although a relatively weak QB class this year, and a lot of players that could be had via trade or free agency.
Potential Free Agent Targets
High Dollar: Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor
Non-High Dollar: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mitchell Trubisky, Jacoby Brissett
Potential Trade Targets
High Asking Price: Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson
Low Asking Price: Matt Ryan, Gardner Minshew
Potential Draft Targets
Early Picks: Kenny Pickett (Pitt), Sam Howell (UNC), Carson Strong (Nevada), Malik Willis (Louisiana)
Late Picks: Bailey Zappe (WKU), Aqeel Glass (Alabama A&M)
Final Thoughts
There is very view people that would deny the Steelers view both Rudolph and Haskins highly, and they have solid reasoning. They have 4 years invested into Rudolph after spending a 3rd round pick on him and Haskins is as physically talented as anyone in the league. However, neither have shown much in the NFL to this point, and it could turn into a long 2022 if the team is handed over to them and they haven’t made necessary improvements. I don’t want the Steelers to sell out and trade half their draft capitol to trade for an elite QB as they have many other holes to fill. But I do want them to bring in a veteran QB to at least compete for the job, or at least be able to continue to provide a mentor to the two since they’re still young.
I am also not super high on this draft class for quarterbacks, as the 2023 class appears as though it’ll be much better. So potentially reaching for a QB this season could be a poor choice as well unless one falls into their lap in the 2nd round.
Let us know below what you think of the Steelers quarterback situation as we head into the 2022 offseason!
#SteelerNation
Offensive Line Review
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
