In the post-Pittsburgh Steelers era, there are many different opinions regarding the quarterback situation of the team.Different analysts came up with four different QBs as answers to the assignment.Mike Tomlin claimed the team’s QB is already on the roster during his season-ending press conference..
Diontae Johnson backed up, bringing back Mason Rudolph..
Now, controversial former Steelers player Antonio Brown has voiced his opinion on his old team’s quarterback situation.Brown invited Twitter users to “Ask AB.” One user asked him who his QB would be and how many carries George Pickens would get per game if he were the offensive coordinator of the Steelers.Brown chose Rudolph and said his QB will throw to Pickens at least 16 times per game..
While Rudolph performed well to finish the 2023 regular season, making him the starting quarterback next season could be a problem for the Steelers..
When the Steelers decided to stick with Rudolph at QB through the 2023 season, they had an easy way to explain how that didn’t mean they were giving up on Kenny Pickett..
If the Steelers were to sign Rudolph and make him the Week 1 starter for the 2024 season, they would lose their investment in Pickett.That would be a tough pill to swallow just two seasons after the team spent their 20th overall pick on a struggling QB.This would also be limited turn gear..
Yes, Rudolph won the final three games of the regular season to make the playoffs, but the team was already on its way to making the playoffs before Pickett’s injury.He posted a 7-5 record as a starter before an injury opened the door for Rudolph.A 10-7 first-round exit from the playoffs wasn’t really an improvement over what the team got from Pickett.This is also probably the roof for them with Rudolph.Should the team decide to make a veteran move that they believe could get them into the playoffs, giving up Pickett could be something the front office and fans can live with..
Another nine or ten win season and an early playoff exit doesn’t seem like enough.If that or giving Pickett another chance to prove he can lead a team are options, it seems the better option is to hope Pickett either succeeds or does poorly enough for the Steelers to draft his replacement..
One thing Brown did get right is that the Steelers need to get Pickens involved more often.Four goals in a quarter is asking a bit much, but he definitely needs to see more of the ball.In the 2023 season, Pickens was hit just 106 times in 17 games. That’s just over six targets per game and is shockingly low for a player who had 1,140 receiving yards on the year..
That’s more of a problem with the Steelers system than a problem with the team’s QB play. Jet QBs were terrible in 2023. Garrett Wilson was still targeted 168 times.Fans have complained endlessly about how Arthur Smith misused his weapons with the Falcons. Drake London still got 110 carries from a disappointing pair of QBs in 16 games.Pickens has made it clear he can be a bona fide WR1 in 2023.Whoever becomes the Steelers’ next offensive coordinator needs to use Pickens as an elite option in 2024 as their offense improves..
