Steelers Insider Believes The Team Will Wait To Draft A QB Until Round 6 Or 7

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in an unexpected quarterback controversy this offseason. The only quarterback currently under contract for the team in 2024 is Kenny Pickett, who is entering the third year of his rookie deal. They recently announced the release of Mitch Trubisky, who just finished two rather unsuccessful years in Pittsburgh. Their third-string quarterback, Mason Rudolph, who ended up as a bit of an unlikely hero to finish the year, is set to become a free agent and has expressed a desire to see what the open market looks like.

All of this has left fans wondering what will happen in 2024. Will Pickett get the starting nod, or will Rudolph be allowed to continue what he began at the end of last season? It also leaves holes in the roster that will have to be filled either via free agency or the NFL Draft. Most analysts believe that if Rudolph leaves the team, Pittsburgh will sign another veteran QB in free agency, and draft a young signal-caller in April (similar to the 2022 offseason). However, one Steelers insider said fans should not be getting their hopes up that the team will move up to get one of the top quarterbacks in the draft. 

Steelers Won't Draft A Quarterback Until A Late Round

Gerry Dulac, a longtime Steelers insider who is a sports reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, was asked recently about the quarterback situation in his popular chat column. 

The quarterback class that is entering the 2024 draft has gotten some mixed commentary. Some say that it is an excellent class, but the majority think it just looks that way compared to what we've had the past couple of years; that this class isn't as good as the 2020 class. Regardless of the opinion on the overall class, some solid quarterbacks are coming out including Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Jr. 

Those players are all expected to get drafted rather early however, and most will be gone by the time the Steelers pick at 20. There has been talk that the Steelers should move up a bit to ensure they can get Penix or Nix. Dulac doesn't see that as likely though. When asked where he thinks the Steelers will look for a quarterback, he said definitely late. 

"Sixth. Maybe seventh [round]."

One critique of the quarterbacks late in this draft class is that the pickings are slim. While there are some projected to go in later rounds, three through five or six, the talent gets questionable. It will all depend on how fast those players get snatched up.  

There is also the problem of waiting and not selecting a quarterback in this draft. The quarterback class for 2025 is projected to be weak, so teams may be anxious to try to get someone this year. Regardless, Dulac does not expect them to move up much at all. 

"They won't make a trade to go get a top 3 pick, trust me. And if they did move up that far (which they won't), it wouldn't be for a QB."

Dulac also responded to a fan who said he doesn't think it is the end of the world that the Steelers don't have a future Hall of Fame quarterback, like Patrick Mahomes. Instead suggesting that they continue to build up the offense and let their new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith get settled and evaluate talent. Dulac agreed that the Steelers could be just as effective by building an offense that manages the ball and having a powerhouse defense. 

"What you suggest is very possible, if not viable. Hey, not everybody has a Patrick Mahomes."

As for the Steelers' current quarterback situation, Dulac said he expects the team to retain Rudolph and have him, and whoever they bring in compete for the starting job. 

It will be interesting to see who the organization brings in to battle with Pickett. There have been some big names floating about, including Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins, and Russel Wilson. Hopefully, the new offensive coordinator along with the new staff he has hired is enough to help Pickett recognize his full potential, or find his replacement if it isn't him.     

What do you think about Dulac's comment on the sixth or seventh round? Click to comment below.

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