The Steelers, Tanner Morgan And The Insider Connection That Gives Him The Fast Track To QB3

Unlike 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t on the hunt for their next franchise quarterback in 2023. In last year’s camp, we saw a spirited competition for the position that ran well through the season, leading to Kenny Pickett securing the starting job. With Pickett poised for a strong sophomore campaign and Mitch Trubisky remaining as a relatively reliable backup to Pickett, the Steelers still like to carry three quarterbacks through camp. Further, they ultimately like to see three names on the depth chart at the position on the final 53-man roster.

We can safely assume Mason Rudolph won’t be returning to Pittsburgh as he remains unsigned. As a result, the Steelers welcomed young quarterbacks who didn’t hear their names called in the draft to state their case for a roster spot. The three guys are Bryce Perkins, Hunter Johnson and Tanner Morgan. But of those three, there seems to be one with an inside track to the third quarterback spot because of one key inside connection.

Steelers Tanner Morgan Has The Best Chance To Secure The Third Quarterback Spot In 2023 With A Key Inside Connection.

Morgan is coming into camp with some of the most playing experience of any other name on the rookie roster. He took full advantage of his extra year of eligibility (due to the COVID season’s exception rule) and logged six seasons at the University of Minnesota. While there, Morgan set a plethora of school records. 

Courtesy of the University of Minnesota's Athletic Department, those records include career passing efficiency rating of 151.0, career completion percentage of 62.2 percent (661 of 1,063 attempts) and career games won as starting quarterback being 33 (47 career starts). Head Coach, Mike Tomlin expressed his appreciation of Morgan’s collegiate experience at the team’s minicamp.

“He’s a guy that’s played a lot”, Tomlin proclaimed. “He’s a sixth-year guy. He’s got some leadership and tangible qualities. He’s been highly productive in that program. His resume is pretty extensive for a guy in that position.”

With that extensive experience in college, Morgan also brings a relatively older mindset as a rookie quarterback. Morgan turned 24 years old earlier in 2023 in April and is only about two months older than Pickett. With Trubisky making the turn to 29 years old this August, the Steelers’ quarterback room remains younger than it has ever been in recent history. With that said, it looks like Pickett and Trubisky are welcoming Morgan to the group with open arms.

Per Josh Rowntree of 93.7 The Fan, both Pickett and Trubisky reached out to Morgan when he signed shortly after the conclusion of the draft. After today’s session, Morgan met with some members of the media and expressed his excitement about learning from Pickett and Trubisky. Courtesy of Rowntree, Morgan explained what he’s bringing into camp and how he’s approaching the opportunity for the open roster spot:

“For me, my mindset is just be an asset in any way I can. Be a positive contributor each and every day and do my best every day and whatever happens, happens. But I think it’s a great quarterback room and I’m excited to be able to learn from those guys and learn from Coach [Mike] Sullivan as well.”

Scouting Morgan, his film doesn’t necessarily jump off the screen. He doesn’t possess the top-tier measurements scouts like to see in an NFL quarterback and his downfield accuracy is fairly questionable. However, in the right system, he could be set up for success. 

Morgan threw a lot of passes out of the shotgun in college and was featured in various play-action and misdirection plays. He plays with tremendous toughness, both mentally and physically, and never gives up on a play. He’s effective at keeping his eyes downfield and makes his throws in anticipation of where the receiver will be.

Morgan also brings that optimal level of situational mobility where he won’t break long runs downfield, but he’s shifty inside of the pocket and uses his pump fake to manipulate defenders out of position. Morgan operated well within Minnesota’s run-pass-option and mesh schemes and that ability should translate well into Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada’s playbook. As odd as it may sound, it is Canada who may have had some insider information on Morgan that may have played a large role in signing him off the Michigan Panthers’ USFL squad.

Minnesota Head Coach, PJ Fleck has made a name for himself at the university after rising through the ranks within several collegiate programs. Prior to becoming a coach, Fleck played wide receiver at Northern Illinois from 1999 to 2003. Through that time, Fleck posted impressive numbers including 2,162 receiving yards on 179 catches with 11 touchdowns. 

In Fleck’s 2003 season, the team posted wins against Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State. As fate would have it, Fleck’s offensive coordinator throughout his college playing career was none other than Canada. In fact, the two remain close friends now over 20 years later. As the Steelers need a third quarterback on the roster, Canada may have gotten some inside information on Morgan landing him in Pittsburgh.

With Fleck flourishing personally within Canada’s offense, he brought that same mentality to his current offense at Minnesota. While Fleck doesn’t call the offensive plays on game day, there are still shades of Canada’s offense that are featured in the offense. Those include the details mentioned above in passing mostly out of the shotgun, multiple run-pass-option variations and receivers meshing rub-routes across the defense.

With the connection between Fleck and Canada, it is no wonder why the Steelers see promise in Morgan. He succeeded in an offense that was influenced by Canada and is now coming to another Canada-led offense. That inside connection may seal the third quarterback spot for Morgan. Only time will tell in determining that fate as the season calendar turns into the preseason schedule.

Who do you think should be the Steelers’ third quarterback? Did you know of the strong connection between Fleck and Canada? Let us know in the comments below!

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