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On the identical week that Ben Roethlisberger celebrated his thirty ninth birthday, the Steelers have been being linked to Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
No much less an authority than former NFL normal supervisor and present NFL Community analyst Charley Casserly says the situation’s there for the Steelers to reap a draft-day steal by having Fields fall proper into their laps at Decide 24.
Different intriguing Pittsburgh quarterback prospects embody Mac Jones out of Alabama and Kyle Trask out of Florida.
How reasonable is any of the ‘Steelers drafting a QB’ hypothesis? We’ll debate that – and loads of different Steelers’ draft eventualities — on this rebuilding edition of the Steelers Update Podcast.
NOTE: New episodes of the Steelers Replace can be found each Wednesday afternoon on PennLive.com and wherever podcasts are discovered, together with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and Google Podcasts.
Or just click and listen right here, right now:
With Ben Roethlisberger coming again and Steelers President Artwork Rooney II declaring that Large Ben’s almost four-decade-old arm is simply nearly as good because it ever was, is QB actually the Steelers’ most important space of want within the 2021 draft?
Briefly, no.
Sure, Rooney could also be taking a look at Roethlisberger by means of rose-colored glasses, particularly in announcing Ben’s arm as dwell because it ever was. All of us noticed Roethlisberger’s steep decline final season, particularly because the Steelers’ 11-0 begin devolved right into a one-and-done playoff ouster by the rival Browns.
Nonetheless, it’s clear the Steelers are going with Ben as their high QB another time. And the actual fact stays the group has loads of different roster holes, and plenty of extra to come back, due to wage cap defections which might be anticipated in droves.
Merely plugging in a quarterback doesn’t make an entire lot of sense for Pittsburgh.
Except, after all, the group actually believes it has discovered a franchise quarterback. That’s the most elusive determine in all the NFL: A prodigal passer who can play for 15-plus years as a profitable starter below middle.
The Steelers landed one in Ben Roethlisberger. Nevertheless it took 20+ years to do it after four-time Tremendous Bowl winner Terry Bradshaw left city.
If the Steelers conclude they’ve discovered a franchise quarterback on this draft, they have to transfer heaven and earth to get him. However they’ve to make certain.
We solely want look again to the 2016 draft. The L.A. Rams drafted what they thought was their future franchise quarterback proper on the high, taking Jared Goff. Then, the Philadelphia Eagles clawed their technique to the 2nd spot to feather their nest with Carson Wentz.
Quick-forward to early 2021. Within the ashes of depressing seasons for each so-called franchise QBs, each groups have summarily shipped these high draft day prizes out of city. Worse, each groups took it on the chin in trades, only for the appropriate to alleviate themselves of mentioned star quarterbacks and their expensive contracts. And the hefty worth isn’t simply the rotting piles of useless cash and the lopsided commerce returns. It’s in all of the seasons misplaced to investing in imposters.
All of it goes to indicate there’s plenty of idiot’s gold in the case of sifting the school quarterback currents for the real glitter of a bonafide franchise quarterback. It’s hit or miss, at greatest. However in the event you really feel you’ve gotten a success, it’s a must to take your shot.
Will the Steelers?
Solely the draft board and the way in which the picks are available in on April twenty ninth – together with the Steelers’ super-secret scouting information on all of the gamers — will inform that story.
Till then, we will solely speculate – and debate. So be it.
In that spirit, listed here are all the perfect meme as your favourite soccer group plots to rebuild for 2021:
Justin Fields to the Steelers may very well be the sort of blockbuster transfer that evokes excessive artwork. To wit:
Pittsburgh has loads of empty canvas to fill within the Steelers’ backfield, which floundered in 2020. So whose quantity will present the profitable colours for the working recreation?
One again positive to fade to black (not black and gold) is pictured beneath:
As an alternative, right here’s who Steelers’ followers are falling throughout themselves to see in that 2021 backfield:
Ought to JuJu Smith-Schuster’s bid for a giant free agent contract pull him out of Pittsburgh, the Steelers might take into consideration drafting a receiver. In spite of everything, the group appears to hit on prolific go catchers within the draft like no person’s enterprise. So why not catch a tiger by the tail?
Reside have a look at JuJu toughening himself up for the pummeling he’ll take when he leaves Pittsburgh for “greener” pastures in free company:
At the least we will paint-in Ben Roethlisberger because the sure-fire Steelers’ starter, at the least to start the 2021 season. Past that, who is aware of for this birthday boy who simply blew out 39 candles on his cake?
Certainly, all of the Steelers’ low season suspense is sufficient to make one grind his tooth. Must you maintain some dental injury, you may bid on the choppers container that when held linebacker Jack Lambert’s denture.
Right here’s the news, Steelers’ followers, ought to you’ve gotten the tooth — and the pockets — for it:
The Steelers and their followers can solely hope they don’t take it within the mouth in the case of these all-important early-round draft picks. They’re simply so treasured and essential in rebuilding your 2021 group.
The stress is on, Pittsburgh. And Steelers GM Kevin Colbert is aware of it, admitting, “We are able to’t afford to overlook” on April 29.
That’s one draft-day prediction you may take to the financial institution.
This yr, it’s do or die for the Steelers and their 2021 rookie class.
John Luciew is an award-winning reporter for PennLive and a 25-year Steelers season ticket-holder. His column and podcast are offered from the obsessively over-informed perspective of an avid Steelers’ fan. Try his newest Steelers podcast each Wednesday afternoon wherever podcasts are discovered.
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