After weeks and months of murky speculation all that it took was one afternoon for clarity in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation. OK maybe things aren’t 100% clear but there is certainly a better view for all of us as the new league year approaches.
Earlier today, Aaron Rodgers confirmed he would be back in Green Bay while Russell Wilson was traded from Seattle to Denver. Both Rodgers and Wilson were thought to be potential trade targets of the Steelers who are looking to replace the legendary Ben Roethlisberger. Although Rodgers claims to have “signed nothing” it’s been reported his new deal is for four years and $200 million dollars with over $150 of it guaranteed. Wilson meanwhile was traded to the Broncos for multiple first round picks, Drew Lock, Noah Fant and two others. What the trade makes perfectly clear is that there’s no way the Steelers were going to offer such a package.
I’ve contended since Big Ben retired that the team would move forward with Mason Rudolph and look to next year’s much better quarterback draft to find the team’s next great quarterback. I do however admit the door isn’t closed on a Matt Ryan trade or free agent signing of Jameis Winston or Teddy Bridgewater or Mitchell Trubisky. I would also say drafting a QB this year isn’t out of the question but I don’t think it will be anyone you expect.
Rumors of the Steelers’ interest ran rampant literally up until the minute Rodgers tweeted his intentions to stay in Wisconsin. How serious did the Steelers pursue him? I’m not sure we’ll truly ever know. Do I buy there was interest? Yes. Do I believe calls were made? Yes. Do I believe negotiations got serious between the two teams? No I do not.
Like for any other player that could make the team better, a call is made. It’s how the Steelers do things so yes, I’m sure Kevin Colbert picked up the phone. Outside of that, it didn’t go any further.
So here we find ourselves roughly eight weeks before the draft and less than two weeks before free agency. The Steelers’ QB situation is still a bit murky but it definitely has more clarity now than it did just 24 hours before.
