Schefter: Steelers Indecisive On Quarterback Situation With Russell Wilson, Justin Fields And Ryan Tannehill "In Play"

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback situation feels about as clear as mud at this point. It seems like the only thing that we are fairly certain of is that it is unlikely the team will move up in the draft to take a quarterback. After all, they just selected Kenny Pickett in 2022. However, the rest of the options still seem to be on the table and those include starting Pickett, having him compete with longtime backup Mason Rudolph, or acquiring another veteran. Of the many, many veteran names that have been bounced around, there are two that seem the most likely - Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. 

The Steelers are notorious for playing their cards close to the chest, they don't tell the media everything they are thinking or planning, like some teams do. Head Coach Mike Tomlin, General Manager Omar Khan, and President Art Rooney II have all spoken out about the current quarterback situation and acknowledged that Pickett has room to improve, but they have also been open in saying they believe in him. They have also stated that they would like Rudolph back and offered their opinion that he would like to return to Pittsburgh. They have also said that they are exploring all options at this point. While Khan would not give a definitive answer about speaking with teams regarding a trade, he didn't say the door was closed. 

On a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show, the group welcomed NFL insider Adam Schefter as their guest. After they discussed the NFL Combine, each member of the PMS team asked Schefter a question. Tone Digs, who is a Steelers fan, asked him about all these names floating around and if the Steelers are seeking competition for Pickett. 

"They're looking, they're absolutely looking and I would expect at some point that they're going to add one of these guys," said Schefter.

According to him, it doesn't feel like the Steelers are frantic or urgent. Schefter believes the team when they say they have faith in Pickett and he believes that faith will impact their decision. Schefter said that during the Combine, he did not get a sense from the team that they were out looking for someone to take Pickett's place specifically.

He uses Fields as an example and says that the Steelers have to decide if it is worth giving up whatever the Chicago Bears want for him to be able to have him on their roster. They have the option of also exploring a free agent like Wilson or Ryan Tannehill, who might not cost as much as Fields and they wouldn't have to compensate the other team. 

"I don't think they know right now and I think they're still sorting through it as we speak. But all these decisions are going to crystalize here over the course of the next week. And I do think they'll add a quarterback. I'm not giving you a specific answer because right now, I don't think they have a specific answer. Some of those names you mentioned are in play, some are more likely than others. I don't expect Kirk Cousins to wind up in Pittsburgh, but I do think a guy like Russell Wilson, or Justin Fields or Tannehill could be in play and we'll see."

While they may not be looking for someone to oust Pickett specifically, they do need some competition to light a fire under him. While Pickett has proven to be an extremely competitive and incredibly hard worker, he has struggled with any consistency in moving the ball down the field.

This led to him being benched at the end of the 2023 season when Rudolph outperformed him. Rudolph won the last three games of the season and propelled the Steelers into the playoffs. He also managed to help the team score more than 30 points in a single game for the first time that season. 

Steelers' Kenny Pickett Has Struggled In The NFL

When Pickett was drafted out of the University of Pittsburgh, it immediately divided the fan base. The Steelers and Pitt are "'roommates" at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, so the team got to know Pickett quite well before he entered the NFL, and Pitt fans were elated. He performed well in college, was slightly older, and was supposed to be essentially Day 1 pro-ready. However, many other fans felt immediately that Pickett was a "reach" and that he wasn't tested at Pitt against any significant competition. 

Pickett suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 13 that required TightRope surgery. He finished the season with six touchdown passes and four interceptions, which dropped his quarterback rating from 53.6 at the end of 2022 to 38.1 at the end of 2023. During his two seasons, he has completed 446 out of 713 attempted passes, which is a completion percentage of 62.6%, for 4,474 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.  

The quarterback rating or the equal number of turnovers and touchdowns, aren't the only concerns with Pickett. He has been injured a few times during his short career, including two concussions, which raises the question of him being injury-prone. All of that, along with his lack of pocket presence, the way he seems to panic in the pocket and scramble. 

In defense of Pickett, we have only seen him play one game without previously fired Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. In that lone game, he helped the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10. Pickett had 24 completions out of 33 attempts for 278 yards, but no touchdowns. Now the team has Arthur Smith running the offense and many feel that his style will lend itself well to Pickett's development. 

The Steelers still have time to decide before the free agency window opens on March 13th at 4:00 PM ET.

What do you think about Schefter's comment? Click to comment below.

#SteelerNation