The Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 season came to an abrupt halt after a tough 31-17 postseason loss to the Buffalo Bills. The organization has several adjustments to make in the offseason, but one is more glaring than any other potential issue. Kenny Pickett was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and despite a 14-10 record, only has thrown 13 touchdown passes in his two-year career. Mason Rudolph was a welcomed surprise in late December and helped lead the group to the playoffs while Mitch Trubisky slid all the way down to third-string and is unlikely to wear the black and gold in 2024.
It is rare that a team in today's NFL can win with a stout rushing attack and an above average defensive unit. Franchises need a consistent and play-making quarterback to be successful. Guys like CJ Stroud don't grow on trees, but the Steelers have not gotten what they need to from any signal-caller since the great Ben Roethlisberger retired at the end of the 2021 campaign.
Players are beginning to notice that Pittsburgh has no real difference-maker in the quarterback room. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo recognized the need for better quarterback play. He didn't hide behind that fact or attempt to stay away from hurting anyone's feelings.
Seumalo is an eight-year veteran who was the Steelers best offensive lineman in 2023. He knows what it takes to win in the NFL, especially after coming off of a Super Bowl appearance with the Philadelphia Eagles. Fans have already been calling for a big change to happen at the quarterback position and now they are getting reassurance from a player that the locker room might believe that, too.
Pickett still has a chance to be a solid quarterback in the NFL, but two years seems like plenty of time to figure out if he is franchise-altering. Pittsburgh's biggest challenge is potentially finding that guy in 2024 with the 20th overall selection in the draft. Justin Fields is arguably the only player (that could be available) within the realm of possibility that has show flashes of being great. He would come with a cost, but it might make sense for the Steelers.
Rudolph is probably not a guy that can lead the team to a Super Bowl; however, his emergence at the end of the 2023 season might have been the best possible thing to occur. His ability to score points and throw the ball downfield consistently could have convinced someone in the front office that change needs to occur to be successful.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin mentioned in his offseason press conference that Pickett will have some competition in 2024, but it remains to be seen who that will be. Rudolph will now have multiple suitors in free agency and Trubisky is probably going to be a cap casualty. It's a legitimate possibility that when the new league year begins, Pickett is the only quarterback on the roster.
Steelers Have More Than Just Quarterback Problems
There's no doubt that the organization needs to figure out what to do with the signal-caller position. There are a plethora of others issues to address too, however. The secondary and offensive line are far from perfect and the big men up front on defense need a wake-up call. General Manager Omar Khan will have his hands full in the comings months and needs to hit a home run if he wants the franchise to contend for a Super Bowl.
More must-reads: