Steelers Should Just Copy Another Team’s Strategy in Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a monumental offseason for the future of their franchise. Mike Tomlin’s crew hasn’t won a playoff game since January of 2017. Eight seasons have been played since. While his group is always a safe bet to win at least half of the games, the playoff success hasn’t been there for him, which slowly but surely heats up his seat after almost two decades of being a respected head coach for the Steelers.

Steelers Should Just Copy Another Team’s Strategy in Draft

Pittsburgh has lost some key players, especially in the quarterback room. Justin Fields took the job with the Jets rather than staying for another year despite getting a “competitive offer” from the Steelers. Russell Wilson is still looking for work, but if the club was really interested in running it back, he would’ve already signed.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) throws in the third quarter during a Week 16 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.

No, instead, the Steelers brought back a former starter: Mason Rudolph.

The 2018 third-rounder left for one season to compete with Will Levis in Tennessee and ultimately entered the starting lineup for a while. He also went 3-0 in his three starts with the Steelers in 2023, and the playoff game against Buffalo was at least closer than anyone expected.

Now he’s back, and rumors revolve around Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or guys like Joe Flacco or Jameis Winston. None of them fix the long-term issues the Steelers had at the QB position since Ben Roethlisberger entered the final years of his career with a diminishing arm. Adding 41-year-old Rodgers, perhaps still the best of the group, would also be like pouring gasoline on a fire. He is, to say the least, a controversial figure.

That shouldn’t be the plan. The Steelers should take a look at Minnesota and check what they’ve done.

Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Shedeur Sanders on the red carpet before Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Firstly, just name Rudolph the bridge starter. He isn’t as talented as Sam Darnold, but he’s at least a competent NFL quarterback. Then, go and draft a quarterback. All the talk about the underwhelming QB class should be put aside. If Shedeur Sanders begins to tumble on draft day, pick up the phone, be aggressive in trade talks, and make sure to draft him. Suppose he doesn’t, well, go ahead and pick the next guy on your list.

If the front office thinks Jaxon Dart or Jalen Milroe has a chance to be a solution, they shouldn’t hesitate. Everyone knows the QB position is vital in the sport of football, and the Steelers should forget their Kenny Pickett pick and try again.

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Back to the Vikings, whose plan was to keep once-underwhelming starter Darnold as QB1 until tenth-overall pick J.J. McCarthy was ready. His knee injury ruled him out for the entire season, but the Steelers should do the same: Draft a passer, sit him and mentor him until he is ready, and then let him fly.

It’s not a strategy unique to the Vikings, of course, but they just rejected Rodgers, and the Steelers should, too.