Report: Breaking down quarterbacks Steelers are targeting in draft, free agency
The Steelers have their eyes on their succession plan for Ben Roethlisberger. According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, Pittsburgh has a bevy of options, and different ways of obtaining them.
First, Pauline reports that the Steelers are targeting former Liberty star Malik Willis.
“With the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers will be in the market for a quarterback,” wrote Pauline. “That market could extend to free agency as well as the NFL Draft. The team wants a mobile quarterback or at least a signal-caller that offers more mobility than Big Ben.
“Word right now is Pittsburgh is targeting Malik Willis in the 2022 NFL Draft. And though I cannot confirm Pittsburgh is targeting Willis, I do know they like him an awful lot.”
Reports of the Steelers being smitten with Willis date back to the Senior Bowl. In addition to Willis, Pauline added that Pittsburgh could look towards three free agent quarterbacks to replace Roethlisberger.
“As far as free agents, I am told they are targeting three signal-callers: Mitch Trubisky, Teddy Bridgewater, and Jameis Winston,” reports Pauline. “The combination of one of those three QBs plus selecting Willis in the NFL Draft would set the Steelers up both short and long-term.”
As you can see, the Steelers are exploring all avenues for their replacement for Ben Roethlisberger. Soon, the football world will know who the next quarterback in Pittsburgh is.
Former NFL star on Russell Wilson to Pittsburgh: ‘I think the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a Super Bowl team.’
Moreover, former Patriots star Rob Ninkovich revealed the best fit for quarterback Russell Wilson on ESPN’s Get Up Monday morning. As the star quarterback is looking to be traded from the Seattle Seahawks, Ninkovich believes the best fit would be the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I think the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a Super Bowl team,” Ninkovich stated, regarding the possibility of a Wilson trade. “You look at where they are right now — No. 1, they got a great defense. They got T.J. Watt. Defensive Player of the Year. So, that defense is solid. Then, you look at the offensive side of the ball. They have a good running game. Have some big receivers. So, if you’re able to Russell Wilson with Mike Tomlin and that culture, I think that they would have a lot of success.
“If you’re Russell Wilson, you have to also look at a lot of these other teams and think, ‘Am I going to help my career, or hurt my career?’ By going to a team that’s trying to rebuild and transition. A new head coach. Year after year of kind of just mediocrity. They’re just right in the middle, never really doing anything. And the Steelers — they need a quarterback. They’re probably a quarterback, and a little bit of offensive line help away from going deep into the playoffs.”
The Steelers have been wondering who their replacement will be for Ben Roethlisberger. If they can pull off a trade for Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh will become one of the top contenders in the entire league.