What we Learned from Kevin Colbert’s Off-Season Press Conference

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Noah Nichols. Follow him on Twitter @_NoahNichols

In big-time Steelers' news, General Manager Kevin Colbert held his yearly off-season press conference today. While we analysts love to give our opinions, nobody knows better than the man who is the captain of the ship. Heading into the final few months as the GM of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Colbert had a lot to say about his team, their current state, returning players, the draft, free agency, and the quarterback position. Let’s break it down.

“If we started a season today, Mason would be our starter”

… because Mason Rudolph is the only quarterback under contract for the 2022 season. Those are not glowing remarks about Rudolph. The only real takeaway from that comment should be, as Yinzercrazy co-founder Mike Nicastro put it, “no shit.”  When asked specifically about the quarterback position, Colbert said this: “we know we’re going to add to the position. I can’t tell you how at this point. We will go to camp with four.”  What does that mean? First that Dwayne Haskins will be back. Colbert said repeatedly that he expects the Steelers to tender Haskins, so that’s two quarterbacks.

Where are the other two coming from? The most likely combination is a veteran free agent plus a draft pick. We can only speculate right now, but I think it’s unlikely that the Steelers bring in two veteran quarterbacks. Colbert did say that “we always look at trades,” but it's far-fetched to expect the Steelers to make any big quarterback trades. Combining Colbert’s comments on the depths of the QB class, the Steelers will probably add a free agent quarterback, and take one in the first or second round of the draft.

Colbert doesn’t rule out the Steelers spending more in Free Agency

On a lesser note, Colbert mentioned that the team has more salary cap than he could remember. He said he does not expect the team to be a big-time player in free agency, but “wouldn’t entirely rule it out either.”  

-That’s exactly what we expect the Steelers to do. At most, the Steelers will probably make one “splash” signing. Otherwise, expect a multitude of smaller signings. The Steelers are not a team that likes to spend big for singular players in free agency. They are not going to let that extra cap space collect dust, however. Expect them to put it to good use, albeit in ways that don’t make headlines.

Colbert Highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the draft

Colbert mentioned in today’s press conference the strengths and weaknesses of the draft. He highlighted wide receiver, offensive tackle, cornerback, and edge rusher as strengths of the class. Conversely, Colbert said he thought that the draft was “thinner and weaker” at guard, center, and defensive tackle. 

I bring this up for two reasons. First, if the Steelers are going to want to draft a guard or center, it will have to be in the top two rounds.

Second, because the draft is weak at those positions, expect the Steelers to sign players in free agency, instead of drafting them, for those positions. James Daniels and Laken Tomlinson make more sense here than a high draft pick that could be used for something else…like a quarterback.

The Steelers have been heavily paying attention to the QB class

Colbert acknowledged that the Steelers have scouted all the top quarterback prospects in person “multiple times.” They are doing their homework. Colbert also mentioned that the class was strong at quarterback, just that it is not a “historically deep class.” If the Steelers want to draft a quarterback this year, it's going to be in the first round.

Colbert also mentioned that he doesn’t like quarterback inaccuracy. I’m reading WAY too much into this, but that could mean more Kenny Picket/Matt Corral and less Malik Willis. If the Steelers even choose to draft one.

Colbert on Green, Bush, and Tuitt

Colbert said the Steelers have been in contact with Stephon Tuitt and are open to welcoming him back in 2022. He mentioned Tuitt’s knee injury hampering Tuitt’s return to the field last season. Perhaps I’m being too optimistic here, but it sounds like Tuitt will be back.

As far as Devin Bush goes, Colbert only said that the Steelers don’t know if they will pick up his fifth-year option or not. He mentioned Bush’s ACL recovery as a potential roadblock to Bush’s play in 2021 said “I expect Bush to play better in 2022.” With the Brian Flores hiring, be optimistic about Bush this year. As far as his fifth-year option goes, who knows.

Perhaps the most impactful comments, aside from Colbert’s quarterback comments, were his comments on Kendrick Green. “Kendrick Green wasn’t benched because of ineffective play. He didn’t play because he was hurt. We know that Kendrick can play guard. We know he can play center. Is it our best option? See where we go in the next two months.”



This has an incredible ripple effect on what the Steelers will do in the draft and free agency. The Steelers have consistently said they view Green as a center. Combined with Colbert’s comments, Green is not going anywhere. Which would imply that the Steelers will not draft or sign a center and leave it to Green. Or they may sign a Vet center, but only as insurance. Leaving Green at center means that, aside from quarterback, the Steelers biggest position of need heading into free agency is the guard position.