Five QBs who could be Steelers' starter in 2024

The Steelers (9-7) seem to be stuck in quarterback purgatory after starting all three of their QBs this season. Will Pittsburgh get out or remain stuck in its old ways? Here are five players who could be the team's starter come 2024.

1. Kenny Pickett, Steelers

Yes, the most likely outcome will be the Steelers refusing to move on from their 2022 first-round pick and naming him their starter once again next season. Pickett, who is currently the QB2 behind Mason Rudolph, has had 25 games to prove he is the future of the franchise. But he has not been able to do so, throwing for just 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

The 25-year-old has led several fourth-quarter comebacks through his first two years but that should be more of a credit to head coach Mike Tomlin, who always seems to win close games. If Pittsburgh sticks with Pickett, it will regret its decision and find itself in a similar position this time next season.

2. Mason Rudolph, Steelers

Rudolph has been the biggest surprise on the Steelers this year. Many had given up on Pittsburgh's third-round pick in 2018. But the six-year veteran has revived his career, throwing for 564 yards and two touchdowns on the team's two-game win streak. He was named the starter once again as he has the offense averaging 32 points per game.

The downside, however, is that Rudolph will be 29 by the start of the 2024 season. That doesn't mean his career is washed, but the Steelers would have to live with themselves for wasting him on the bench for the past few years. It would be a tough pill to swallow, but if Rudolph leads them to the playoffs, the team must consider riding him into 2024.

3. Justin Fields, Bears

The Bears (7-9) officially own the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft thanks to their trade with the Carolina Panthers (2-14) last offseason. They now have the difficult decision between sticking with Fields or drafting USC QB Caleb Williams, who is the favorite to hear his name called first in the 2024 NFL Draft.

If Chicago opts to have a fresh start at quarterback, Pittsburgh should run to the phone to trade for the dynamic quarterback. Fields has 4,656 yards and 33 touchdowns through the air and 1,773 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground over the past two years. The 24-year-old would instantly upgrade the Steelers QB room in 2024.

4. Kirk Cousins, Vikings

If Pittsburgh doesn't want to spend any of its draft capital on acquiring a veteran, Cousins could be the perfect free-agent addition. The 35-year-old is expected to hit the open market after suffering a torn Achilles in Week 8. If he returns to full health, he could help the Steelers win now.

Cousins has been one of the league's top passers, passing for 15,364 yards, 115 touchdowns and 39 interceptions from 2020-23. He's seen more days in the NFL than he's going to ahead, but he would help Pittsburgh's other aging stars fight for a Super Bowl before they retire as well.

5. Michael Penix Jr., Washington

The 2024 NFL Draft class is rich with quarterback talent, which is why it's the perfect time for the Steelers to cut their losses and invest in another young college star. They would have the No. 18 overall pick if the season were to end today. That would still put them in a great spot to get one of the top-five quarterbacks.

USC's Caleb Williams and UNC's Drake Maye will likely be long gone by then. But Penix Jr., who ranks the fifth-best quarterback and No. 30 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' big board, could be a viable option. The Heisman runner-up has impressed all season with 4,648 passing yards and 35 touchdowns on the year and built upon his resume with the Huskies' College Football Playoff semifinal win over Texas.

He could very well rise up draft boards by April, but LSU's Jayden Daniels (No. 20) and Oregon's Bo Nix (No. 25) would be great options as well.