Kevin Colbert’s current feedback relating to Mason Rudolph weren’t the one issues Pittsburgh’s longtime basic supervisor mentioned throughout his current sit down with native media members. Whereas Colbert mentioned Rudolph’s present standing inside the group, he additionally supplied a number of different nuggets because it pertains to the the Steelers‘ present quarterback scenario. 

There’s quite a bit we do not know in regards to the Steelers’ plans. And truthfully, the Steelers in all probability aren’t sure what is going to occur, both. That is a part of what makes this time of 12 months so attention-grabbing, with the NFL Scouting Mix, free company and the NFL Draft on the horizon. A lot of how the Steelers’ quarterback scenario will shake out will depend on what occurs over the following two-plus months. 

Whereas there are issues nobody is aware of, there are a number of issues we do know in regards to the Steelers’ quarterback scenario for the 2022 season. Beneath is a rundown of Pittsburgh’s quarterback scenario following Colbert’s feedback. 

1. Mason Rudolph present frontrunner to be beginning QB 

That is largely frequent sense. Rudolph is coming into his sixth season in Pittsburgh and second beneath offensive coordinator Matt Canada. He served as Ben Roethlisberger’s major backup every of the final 4 years and is 5-4-1 as Pittsburgh’s beginning quarterback. Rudolph’s begins have largely been curler coaster rides. His finest begin was arguably his 315-yard, two-touchdown, one-interception efficiency in Pittsburgh’s 2020 common season finale in Cleveland. One among his shakier begins happened on this previous 12 months’s tie in opposition to the then-winless Detroit Lions. 

He will be the frontrunner, however Rudolph should earn the beginning job popping out of coaching camp. And if he does, it will not be the worst factor for the Steelers. Rudolph’s earlier begins have left one thing to be desired, however at occasions he has displayed the flexibility to make key performs in vital moments to assist the Steelers win video games. The Steelers can win with Rudolph in the event that they construct a robust sufficient group round him, which they will do that offseason. Pittsburgh did not win any Tremendous Bowls within the 21 years between Terry Bradshaw and Roethlisberger, nevertheless it did advance to 5 AFC Championship video games over that span with quarterbacks who will not be enshrined within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.

2. Dwayne Haskins shall be in combine 

Colbert all however mentioned that the Steelers will tender Haskins, thus bringing the previous first-round choose again for a second season in Pittsburgh. Haskins carried out nicely because the scout group quarterback in the course of the season, in line with Colbert, and the Steelers are excited to see what he can do that upcoming coaching camp. 

Haskins confirmed flashes of his potential throughout final 12 months’s coaching camp, however he was unable to beat out Rudolph to change into Roethlisberger’s major backup. The previous Ohio State standout will doubtless get one other probability to take action this summer time.

3. Three quarterbacks will compete for beginning job 

The Steelers could have 4 quarterbacks at coaching camp: Rudolph, Haskins, a camp arm and one other quarterback — both a rookie or a veteran — who will doubtless be given an opportunity to compete for the beginning job. 

The following a number of months will decide who that fourth quarterback shall be. Sure, there’s an opportunity the Steelers may kick the tires on a commerce to herald a big-name quarterback — say a Russell Wilson or an Aaron Rodgers. However the actuality of that taking place is very unlikely, provided that each Wilson and Rodgers are nonetheless beneath contract with their respective golf equipment and that Pittsburgh must quit vital capital to amass both participant. 

A extra doubtless state of affairs is the Steelers bringing in a much less heralded veteran — Marcus Mariota and Mitchell Trubisky are two examples — to compete with Rudolph and Haskins. Whereas neither participant could be thought of a favourite to beat out Rudolph, their presence ought to create a extra aggressive place battle. 

4. Steelers like Kenny Pickett, aren’t ruling out drafting a QB 

Colbert particularly talked about former Pitt standout Kenny Pickett when requested to call a quarterback that he appreciated that shall be a part of this 12 months’s draft class. Colbert referred to as Pickett a “nice quarterback,” a reasonably vital praise from the final supervisor who chosen a future Corridor of Fame quarterback 18 years in the past. 

“I do not like to speak about particular person gamers, however I feel it is such a singular scenario that the season that he had for Pitt and it’s a must to acknowledge that and congratulations to Kenny, congratulations to Pitt,” Colbert mentioned of Pickett, by way of Jim Wexell of Metal Metropolis Insider. “However this group, there are good gamers in it, and there are good gamers that every one have a unique ability set. And that is what was actually distinctive about watching them compete on the Senior Bowl as a result of the vast majority of them have been there. So, they’re all totally different. And I do know that a few of them shall be beginning quarterbacks, successful quarterbacks, and that is thrilling.”

Talking of the opposite quarterbacks on this 12 months’s draft, the Steelers spent a substantial period of time talking with former Liberty quarterback Malik Willis on the Senior Bowl. Pickett and Willis headline a quarterback class that additionally consists of former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral, North Carolina’s Sam Howell and Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, amongst others. 

Every of our 4 CBS Sports activities NFL Draft consultants at present have Pickett getting chosen earlier than the Steelers are on the clock with the twentieth choose. Kyle Stackpole has Pittsburgh deciding on Corral with the twentieth choose. Ryan Wilson is the one professional that has Willis lasting past the twentieth choose. 

The Steelers may actually commerce as much as choose a quarterback if they’re satisfied that he’s value it. Pickett was the one quarterback Colbert talked about by identify Monday, and whereas it in all probability would not be sensible to learn an excessive amount of into that, it actually gives perception into the Steelers’ considering relating to the rookie quarterbacks. The Steelers like Pickett, that a lot is for certain, however in all probability not sufficient to commerce into the highest 10. But when Pickett remains to be on the board after the primary 8-10 picks, there is definitely an opportunity that the Steelers make a transfer assuming they discover the suitable scenario. 

One factor Colbert made clear is that the Steelers will not attain for any particular participant of place within the first spherical. Pittsburgh will draft one of the best participant obtainable that it feels could make the largest influence on its group in 2022 and past. That may very well be a quarterback, however the odds are that it will likely be somebody who can assist the group fill one in every of its different positional wants. 

Certain, there’s additionally the prospect that the Steelers draft a quarterback after the primary spherical. However given their different wants — offensive line, line of defense and cornerback amongst them — this appears about as unlikely as Wilson or Rodgers coming to Pittsburgh.

5. Steelers’ subsequent QB shall be arrange for fulfillment 

The cabinet won’t be empty for whoever is beneath middle for Pittsburgh in 2022. You could possibly go so far as to say that they are going to be higher arrange for fulfillment than Roethlisberger was heading into his ultimate season. 

Roethlisberger performed behind two rookie offensive linemen, which can nearly actually not be the case for the Steelers’ subsequent beginning quarterback. Each gamers — sort out Dan Moore Jr. and middle/guard Kendrick Inexperienced — ought to make appreciable jumps coming into their sophomore seasons. Pittsburgh will certainly add to its offensive line in each free company in addition to in the course of the draft. Colbert mentioned that, if he has any regrets from final offseason, it was that the Steelers didn’t add one other inexpensive veteran to the road. Anticipate them to atone for that this spring. 

Pittsburgh’s subsequent beginning quarterback will play behind an improved offensive line and could have Professional Bowl receiver Diontae Johnson as his major goal. He will even have third-year wideout Chase Claypool, second-year tight finish Pat Freiermuth (who caught seven touchdowns as a rookie) and working again Najee Harris (who rushed for 1,200 yards as a rookie). The brand new beginning quarterback will doubtless have a number of new teammates to throw to given the anticipated offseason departures of JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington and Eric Ebron. 

The Steelers protection also needs to be higher in 2022. Colbert did not rule out Stephon Tuitt coming again after the veteran defensive lineman missed the complete 2021 season. Colbert can also be anticipating improved play from Devin Bush, who had a shaky 2021 season after getting back from a severe knee damage. The Steelers protection nonetheless has three of the league’s prime gamers in defensive sort out Cameron Heyward, security Minkah Fitzpatrick and reigning Defensive Participant T.J. Watt. Pittsburgh might elect to re-sign cornerback Joe Haden, who has loved a profession resurgence since becoming a member of the Steelers in 2017. 

Pittsburgh additionally possesses one of many league’s prime kickers in Chris Boswell, who made 36 of his 40 subject objective makes an attempt final season. Add all of it up, and the Steelers seem like a group that on the very least ought to have the ability to match final season’s win whole of 9 video games. Whether or not or not they will exceed final 12 months’s win whole will doubtless hinge on the play of the beginning quarterback.