The Pittsburgh Steelers are stuck in an NFL world where the quarterback position trumps all others. Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season and the search for a new face of the franchise began. This resulted in the addition of Mitchell Trubisky through free agency, but the big move came when the franchise decided to take Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Many were excited that the University of Pittsburgh product would be staying in town; however, his two seasons in the Steel City have not gone according to plan so far, with inconsistent play and injuries holding him back.
Following the mutual parting of ways between Trubisky and the Steelers, many have begun to speculate on who will be brought in to compete with Pickett in 2024. After helping the team reach the playoffs in 2023, Mason Rudolph will enter free agency and has a chance to make some good money as a backup somewhere other than Pittsburgh. Time will tell if the Steelers are able to re-sign him to avoid that outcome.
If Rudolph departs, Pittsburgh will be left with Pickett on the roster. That leaves free agency, the draft, and potentially the trade market, as the options to add to the quarterback room. Names like Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins and Ryan Tannehill have been thrown around a lot lately. Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette posted a mailbag on Thursday and brought up a division rival who is set to test the market.
“Tyler Huntley is a bit intriguing,” Batko wrote.
Tyler Huntley has been with the Baltimore Ravens since 2020 and (somehow) made the Pro Bowl in the 2022 season after filling in for Lamar Jackson, making four starts. He only had nine games of starting experience, but has displayed flashes of being a reliable second-string quarterback. It would be an interesting add for the Steelers, but no one can rule anything out with how the offense is set up currently.
Batko didn’t enjoy the idea of a guy like Sam Darnold being brought in, but mentioned that Tyrod Taylor has been an NFL journeyman, so why wouldn’t he be an option for the Steelers? The main issue with the quarterback talk going on is that most names being brought up aren’t long-term solutions, or are in the latter stages of their careers.
If Rudolph is not retained, Pittsburgh will almost certainly be looking for a guy to add via free agency or trade. Historically, though, there will be three signal-callers on the roster. This is the biggest reason for fans and media speculating about the idea of the organization drafting one, especially if Rudolph is on his way out of town to play elsewhere.
Huntley would be brought in on a one-year deal as a backup. The goal of the 2024 offseason should be to bring in a player who is either miles better than Pickett, or at least has the opportunity to contend for the starting job. If Pittsburgh is set on giving Pickett one more season regardless, however, it’s likely that the front office adds a one-year rental player who has experience starting in the NFL. Huntley fits that description.
Entering the 2025 offseason, Pittsburgh will be tasked with making the decision of whether or not Pickett’s fifth-year option should be picked up. That’s a hefty price for the quarterback position. The 2024 campaign is Pickett’s last year to prove he should be the quarterback of the future. The Steelers need to decide if they want a proven starter via free agency or trade. If they do, Pickett’s time in Pittsburgh may come to an abrupt halt. The clock is ticking.
