Before we could accurately make any predictions on a free-agency plan or draft strategy for the Pittsburgh Steelers, we had to know who their next OC would be.
Well, with Arthur Smith in place, the team is now fully vested in their offseason process.
Part of that process is figuring out who will be backing up or challenging Kenny Pickett for the starting QB job, with one name making all the sense in the world:
Ryan Tannehill to Pittsburgh?
Now, it's easy to connect the dots between Tannehill and Pittsburgh, seeing as Steelers' newly hired OC Arthur Smith was Tannehill's OC in Tennessee when the Titans were rolling on offense, winning divisions, earning the first overall seed and making AFC Championship Games.
But a deeper look shows that what may come off as an idea, may soon be reality:
For one, the Steelers like to carry three QB's. Well, right now, the only man guaranteed to have a spot on the team is Kenny Pickett, as he approaches Year 3 of his rookie contract.
But behind him is free-agent QB Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky, who's going into the final year of his deal and is likely out of Pittsburgh given his cap savings and play when asked to step in.
So, should Rudolph receive a better deal on the open market, signing Tannehill could become a necessity rather than a luxury.
And when analyzing the financials of the situation, Tannehill may come with a number that Pittsburgh can afford:
Franchise Tag Likelihood: Low
Projected Contract: 1 year, $13.5 million, $13.5 APY, $6M GTD
Year One Cap Hit: $4.0 million,
- Josh Queipo And Kyle Dediminicantanio, A to Z Sports Free Agency
What is left to figure out would be if he's there to be the backup, or if he's told he's been brought in to compete with Pickett.
If the latter is the case, we will be in for one interesting training camp.
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