5 Most Likely Steelers Starting QB’s Next Season

This week it was reported that the Steelers’ had an extensive talk with both Malik Willis AND his family at the Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama.

If Willis is drafted at pick 20, one would imagine that it would come with the intention that he would spend a year developing behind Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins. But if he outshines those two, to a large degree, how do you keep him on the sidelines holding a clipboard? 

Back in 2018, Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert passed on Lamar Jackson with the 28th overall pick in favor of Terrell Edmunds. One could wonder if that occasionally keeps them up at night. Will this possibly be the sleep-aid they are looking for?

4. Sam Howell, Rookie - North Carolina

While Howell obviously isn't as dynamic with his feet as Willis (who is?) he’s far more adept as a scrambler than you may think at first glance. I’ve heard from multiple people in the building that the Steelers LOVE Howell. Someone has mentioned that if it came down to Kenny Pickett and Sam Howell, the Steelers would favor Howell.

Howell’s stats dropped off significantly last season, when compared to his 2019 and 2020 campaigns -- but so did the supporting cast around him. In his freshman and sophomore seasons, Howell threw for a combined 68 TD’s to just 14 interceptions. Last season, he had 24 TD’s to 9 INT’s. 

If he was eligible to enter the draft after his sophomore season, I think he would have been a top 5 pick. He has a greater chance of falling to pick 20 than Kenny Pickett does, which is why he’s made my list above him. And for what I said earlier about Willis potentially beating out Rudolph, the same would apply to Howell. His size concerns me, but he's got a rocket arm. I like him less than the Steelers do, but that may be the case across the board.

3. Marcus Mariota - Unrestricted Free Agent 

You know I always have to throw a wild card at you. If the Steelers do not draft their QB of the future, they could choose to go another route in adding a toolsy, cost-effective player that "creative" offensive coordinator Matt Canada could finally have some fun with. How dynamic would this sub-package below be with Najee Harris in the backfield, and Chase Claypool in jet-sweep motion?

Mariota never lived up to his pedigree after he was selected 2nd overall by the Titans in 2015, but with the Raiders these past two seasons, he averaged almost 10 yards per carry. Some have pondered why he would have interest in the Steelers. I think he would take a quick look at the depth chart and think to himself, “I can beat these guys out.” 

At the very least he could be used as a gadget to offset the statue that is Rudolph. I’ve been really in on this idea for months. I’m not giving up on it now!

2. Dwayne Haskins 

Haskins has a real shot at beating out Mason Rudolph for the starting gig. Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert have both said that Haskins will have a chance to compete for the starting position this offseason. Given that this will be his second year in the locker room, the Steelers’ brass will be far more inclined to give him a legitimate shot. 

You can’t sugar coat it - Haskins was terrible in Washington. He threw 12 TD’s to 14 interceptions in two seasons, good for a 74.4 rating. For context, Mason Rudolph’s career QB rating is 80.9. 

A common misconception surrounding Haskins is that he’s fleet of foot. In two seasons with Washington, he scampered for only 147 yards in 16 total games - good for just a little over 9 yards per game. But because he’s already rostered, and the Steelers’ have publicly announced he will be given a shot to win the starting job, he comes in at number two on this list. His upside is certainly greater than Rudolph's.

1. Mason Rudolph

Who did you think this was going to be, Ben Roethlisberger? 

The most likely scenario is that the Steelers start a bridge QB, while they develop a rookie, or wait until the 2023 draft to find their face of the future. And as much as you already want, you still can’t rule out Mason Rudolph as that face. His sample size is just too small. 

Many fans are pining for Jimmy Garoppolo, or someone of a similar caliber to give the black and gold a change of air in the building. But why would you sign a bridge QB, when you literally already have one in Mason Rudolph? That just doesn’t make sense. “Insert pointing Spiderman meme here”. 

I’m not discounting the fact that he has a short leash. I don’t think Mike Tomlin is on board with Rudolph developing into “their guy” moving forward. Which is why if the Steelers were to draft a Willis, a Howell, or to sign a Mariota type - they could overtake him for the job with an eye-opening pre-season performance. 

But right now, it’s Mason Rudolph’s job. 

Gentlemen, place your bets.