Steelers Add Much Needed Depth To 2023 Quarterback Room With UDFA Tanner Morgan

The Pittsburgh Steelers made its big quarterback draft decision in 2022 when the organization picked Kenny Pickett in the first round of the NFL Draft to become the successor of legendary quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. In 2023, under first-year general manager Omar Khan, the team flat-out told Steeler Nation in a pre-draft press conference that they wouldn't be taking a signal-caller in 2023. Despite the smokescreen, the Steelers are still adding Tanner Morgan, a quarterback out of college via the undrafted free agent market. 

Morgan initially committed to play at Western Michigan under Head Coach, PJ Fleck, but when Fleck was hired by the University of Minnesota, Morgan was one of the recruits that followed him there. Morgan redshirted in 2017 and started 2018 as the backup to Zack Annexstad before winning the starting job and getting into six games. 

Morgan had one the best seasons for a Gophers' quarterback ever during his sophomore year setting school records with 30 touchdowns and 3,253 passing yards. Morgan's play took a drop-off in 2020 as his completion percentage dropped from 66% to 57,9% in the COVID season while throwing seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Despite the passing of his father in 2021, Morgan was able to bump up his completion percentage to 59.6 while improving his average yards per completion to 8.2. 

While he couldn't quite replicate his amazing sophomore season in 2022, Morgan took a huge leap forward as a runner with four scores on the ground. As a passer, Morgan was able to get his completion percentage back up to 66.9%. He was rewarded for his efforts in his second senior year by being invited to play in the East-West Shrine and Hula Bowls. He was also selected with the first pick in the second round of the USFL draft by the Michigan Panthers.     

Steelers 2023 Quarterback Room 

Unlike last year when the Steelers seemingly had a quarterback controversy until Kenny Pickett took over as the starter against the New York Jets, the team enters 2023 with a much more favorable dynamic. Pickett is the unquestioned starter, Mitch Trubisky returns as a veteran safety blanket with intangibles that make him a useful guy to keep around and now Morgan comes in to potentially fill the third spot. 

Having a reliable third-string quarterback proved to be crucial for the San Francisco 49ers when both Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance were out with injuries. Brock Purdy stepped up and helped the team reach NFC Championship Game.

The team's lack of even another extra quarterback ultimately led to their defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles. Morgan may not be as impactful as Purdy, but having a capable third-string quarterback could be vital for any team's success.

Steelers fans already know how important having a competent third quarterback is after Roethlisberger went down in 2019 and the team turned to Mason Rudolph who eventually also went down with an injury bringing Devlin 'Duck' Hodges in to step in off the street. 

In an ideal world, Pickett plays all 17 games while Trubisky provides help and guidance to the two younger signal callers on the roster. Morgan gets 2023 as a redshirt year to learn and maybe by 2024 or 2025 can step into the number two spot.          

What do you think of adding Morgan? Do you think the team should be done at QB for the offseason? Comment below!

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