We saw a seismic shift in the NFL position a year ago. Big name stars and travelers took part in a game of shells that saw each free player call a new city home. That, along with a few rookie rookies who immediately had an impact, and the position of the quarterback was unrecognizable from the previous year.
Enter 2021. We have already reached a major agreement that will ensure the aftershock of the annual carousel and achieve a higher score on the Richter scale. With some big name players standing strong on the trade block, more free agents and 4-5 quarterbacks selected in the first round of the NFL draft, the league will restore its quarterback position again.
Following the remarks of President Steelers, Art Rooney II, about the Steelers not looking for a quarterback, this exercise is 100% relevant to the team and we will investigate what is possible. Let’s look at three categories:
Available quarters
Teams looking for a QB
How it relates to the Pittsburgh Steelers
It will be a trading market like no other. We have already seen Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff participate well in new teams before the start of the new league year. Here are some other names on the trade block and teams that are rumored to be interested
Deshaun Watson – Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, plus many others
Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay said he is not available but will have league interest
Matt Ryan San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo New England Patriots
San Francisco 49ers – Kirk Cousins
Carson Wentz Indianapolis Colts
Sam Darnold -?
Gardner Minchew -?
Free agencies do not offer the same big names as a year ago. However, these are some development, place-ahead and backup options that teams will use to fill out their roster.
Dak Prescott – Franchise Label, Dallas Cowboys
Jameis Winston New Orleans Saints
Ryan Fitzpatrick -?
Mitch Trubisky -?
Andy Dalton -?
Tyrod Taylor -?
Cam Newton -?
Jacoby Brissett Indianapolis Colts
There are a number of other free agents, but no one has a real chance of starting a game in 2021. As for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it is very unlikely to offer anyone with a starting ability.
There are four or five clear first-round picks in the NFL Draft 2021. Where they go will be a direct reflection of how the names above fall into place before the draft. We know that Trevor Lawrence is a virtual locksmith who is the first overall pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars. After that, it’s a virtual cast. At the moment, here are the other five possible candidates in the first round and an estimate of the choices after which they can be drawn up – based on spot position.
Zach Wilson – 2-9
Justin Fields – 2-15
Trey Lance – 3-19
Mac Jones – 15-Early 2nd Round
Kyle Trask – 29th Third Round
Right now, you can predict that more than half of the league will roll out a different starting quarterback than they had in 2020. With an uncertain salary cap and a few older veterans on their way out of the league, everything can and will be different. Below is a list of teams (based on draft order) that will be serious in the QB market.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence will soon be theirs, but they should also seek a veteran backup.
New York Jets – They can set up a QB, they can trade for one, or as the new head coach, Robert Salah, has stated that they can play with Sam Darnold for another season.
Houston Texans – Deshaun Waston will be traded with the choice they get, they will chase their next quarterback.
Detroit Lions – They’re spending a lot of money on Jared Goff, I think it’s too early to get a replacement. The concept is entirely possible.
Carolina Panthers – Teddy Bridgewater is not the future of this team. They presented the 8th overall pick for Matthew Stafford to the Lions.
Denver Broncos – The Broncos are not selling on Drew Lock, but he could get another year.
San Francisco 49ers – It sounds like a trade is likely for San Fran.
Minnesota Vikings – If they handle Kirk Cousins, they’ll play with the draft.
New England Patriots – Cam Newton is already out. They can pursue a familiar face.
Washington Football Team – They do not yet have the long-term answer on the list.
Chicago Bears – It’s doubtful whether their return to Mitch Trubisky, trade or free agencies makes the most sense.
Indianapolis Colts – Rivers are out and they could not land Matthew Stafford. Can they lure Andrew Luck out of retirement?
New Orleans Saints – Drew Brees should officially retire in the coming weeks. Who will take over?
The Steelers want to add someone to help the future of this team, and we know that for a fact. They do not have the money to add a free agent, and unless Ben Roethlisberger retires, or is cut, they will not trade for anyone either.
I see it playing out in one of four ways:
- They set someone up at 24, probably Mac Jones.
- They traded to set up Trey Lance.
- They draft someone in the second round or later and try to develop him.
- They are signing someone in free agency in 2022.
We know the Steelers do not like rookies right away. So if they stop drafting one in 2021, I’m pretty confident I’ll say they’re chasing someone in the free agency in 2022. With a lot of cash popping up from the books after this season, and with the likelihood that Dak Prescott will be the last season in Dallas in 2021, I think this is a path the team would like to explore. It will also be a very risky game, the team will essentially put all their chips in one basket and just hope that Prescott is not influenced by other suitors.
The smartest game for the future is to be aggressive and get a quarterback in this year’s draft, but if the Steelers are all at the center once again with Ben Roethlisberger, they could leave the future to chance.
If the Steelers really want one of those prospects in the front quarter, the best thing that can happen is that all of these veterans end up with big names on teams that pick the top half of the draft. To also make teams like the Jets and Broncos decide to give their current starters another year to prove it would be ideal. We know guys like Justin Fields and Zach Wilson are long gone before the Steelers even have a chance to swap for one of the two, but I see Trey Lance the best fit for this team anyway. If Lance gets past the Broncos (pick No. 9), the Steelers will have a legal chance to move. On top of that, if the 49ers settle on Garoppolo or add another quarter, the Steelers will actually only have to worry about getting past New England.
It will take a bit of luck and a Steelers team that is willing to move, but they can get the future of the franchise here and now. The biggest thing Lance needs is experience, and with Ben Roethlisberger wanting to return for another season, the Steelers can offer him that, as well as a clear path to becoming a starting quarterback in 2022.
What do you think? How will the chips fall and what will the Steelers do during the off-season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.