Pittsburgh Steelers’ Plan At Quarterback Could Indicate Surprising Shakeup If Kenny Pickett Struggles

Kenny Pickett is the guy in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are committed to the former first-round quarterback despite an unimpressive start to his NFL career.

It is rather surprising considering the amount of talent veterans that are available this offseason, but it might also indicate plans to draft one of the signal-callers in this year’s NFL Draft class or an interest in a cheap backup. There are a lot of options coming out of college at the quarterback position this year and Pittsburgh may choose to add one into the mix.

If not, fans are going to be very frustrated by the most recent news out of Steel City.

General manager Omar Khan committed to Pickett in Indianapolis over the weekend. His comments echoed the sentiments of head coach Mike Tomlin and owner Art Rooney.

According to Mike DeFabo and Dianna Russini, they do not have interest in anyone else.

The Steelers are not interested in signing Russell Wilson in the likely event he’s released by the Denver Broncos, a source familiar with the coaching staff’s feelings on the quarterback at this stage of his career told The Athletic. Additionally, Pittsburgh is not among the teams actively working to trade for Fields, league sources told Dianna Russini. Pittsburgh is also not pursuing Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield in free agency, according to league sources.

— The Athletic

While this does not come as a surprise, it is still a surprise.

Pickett is 14-10 through the first two seasons in the NFL. He has completed 62.6% of his passes for 4,474 yards with only 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Adding a proven veteran could have provided a major spark to an offense that has all of the weapons to compete. That will not be happening. Pickett is probably the guy.

The Steelers will likely look to resign Mason Rudolph as the former No. 11 overall pick’s backup, but he could end up winning the starting job outright. If not Rudolph, then Pittsburgh could look at someone like Ryan Tannehill— who could also win the starting job. And then there’s the draft.

This year’s quarterback class is very deep. It could make a lot of sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers to add a guy like Spencer Rattler, Jordan Travis or Taulia Tagovailoa in the late rounds. A rookie could provide an additional spark that lights a fire under Pickett, or step up as the future. Why not?