The Pittsburgh Steelers have found their quarterback in Kenny Pickett for the foreseeable future. Pickett only threw seven touchdowns during his rookie campaign versus nine interceptions but down the stretch, he finished strong and only turned the ball over once in the second half of the season.
He also led multiple fourth-quarter comebacks to keep the Steelers in the playoff hunt. The rookie also entered the concussion protocol twice, and that means the Steelers’ backup quarterback is going to be an important piece of the puzzle going forward.
Steelers Kenny Pickett warms up for his first-ever NFL action against the Seattle Seahawks on 8/13 | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Pittsburgh’s AFC North neighbors the Baltimore Ravens are the perfect case and point of why you need a competent backup quarterback to compete in the NFL. Lamar Jackson, who is embroiled in a nasty contract dispute, has missed significant time down the stretch in the last two seasons. Tyler Huntley has filled in admirably and came within a fumbled goal-line leap from sending the Cincinnati Bengals home in the playoffs.
Steelers Backup Carries A Huge Salary
Mitch Trubisky counts for over $10 million towards the salary cap in the second year of his deal with Pittsburgh. Unless they restructure him, the Steelers will have to seriously consider releasing him for cap space. Trubisky is an ideal backup quarterback but may not see himself that way and he still may be harboring ill feelings toward the organization for how they handled him this season. If he won’t restructure the Steelers will have to look elsewhere.
They could bring in a veteran backup like Jacoby Brissett, who is familiar with Matt Canada’s system but with the offensive coordinator’s tenuous grip on the job, may not be the best long-term fit. The free-agent backup quarterback crop doesn’t inspire long-term confidence or very much upside if they are pressed into action for a significant stretch like Huntley, Brock Purdy and Skylar Thompson were during this season.
The Steelers would be better served turning to the NFL draft to bring in a long-term option. They would be able to get a competent backup who has the upside to attract valuable draft picks to obtain his services if he plays well in the role. If they use a fourth-round pick or later, the added benefit is he will also cost substantially less than a veteran backup. There is a perfect option for Pittsburgh in the draft that fits these criteria, which is to seriously consider bringing in Hendon Hooker.
Photo Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports / Hendon Hooker (5) Standing Tall In The Pocket
Hooker is likely to slip to the fourth round of the upcoming NFL draft because of an injury late in his final season with the Tennessee Volunteers. Before his injury, Hooker was in the running for a Heisman Trophy after beating the Alabama Crimson Tide on national television. Hooker threw only two interceptions versus 27 touchdowns last season and the prior year he threw 31 touchdowns to three interceptions. He is an established dual threat running and passing, but he is keenly aware of how he has to evolve at the next level.
"Honestly, I only want to run when I have to,” Hooker said. “I love getting the ball to my players and letting them be playmakers. I will give everybody else the ball before I run it. Whenever I need to or I’m in the position the team wants me to because I will do what it takes to win.”
Hooker’s Heisman candidacy was derailed by a loss to the eventual national champion Georgia Bulldogs and an ACL injury that ended his season against the South Carolina Gamecocks in November. He is expected to make a full recovery, but the injury is going to hurt his draft stock, which could benefit the Steelers. He will likely slip into the mid-rounds of the upcoming draft and could fall into Pittsburgh’s hands like Pickett did last season.
Steelers starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky (#10) at 2022 training camp in Latrobe, PA | Photo Credit: @JSKOPhoto
The salary cap money they would save by either cutting or restructuring Trubisky is better spent elsewhere with several attractive free-agent targets in positions of need. Hooker has a real upside for the Steelers. He is a mobile quarterback, who shined on the big stages of the SEC and proved against Alabama he can shine in big moments.
If Kenny Pickett goes down, it will be a big moment and the veteran retreads available have already proved they can’t handle that opportunity, so why spend money on them? One of Mike Tomlin’s favorite sayings is he wants volunteers not hostages. Hooker is standing by and he is after all a Volunteer.
What do you think Steeler Nation? How would you feel about drafting a quarterback in the fourth round to back up Pickett? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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