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Though the Pittsburgh Steelers made the playoffs and Mike Tomlin is sticking round as head coach for no less than another 12 months, they’re embarking on an offseason with many questions. Two of their largest issues — quarterback and offensive coordinator — are intertwined.
On Thursday, Tomlin made two things clear about the team’s plans. First, the Steelers can be trying exterior the constructing to fill the OC place. And, most significantly, 2022 first-round decide Kenny Pickett has a leg as much as be the beginning quarterback, though he’ll face competitors for the position.
Tomlin mentioned the staff won’t “anoint” Pickett because the starter, including he hopes that competitors for him comes from Mason Rudolph, who went 3-0 within the common season because the starter however is a free agent this offseason.
So, with the chance of Pittsburgh’s subsequent OC being somebody new and Rudolph’s future in Pittsburgh unsure, it is time to have a look at some potentialities.
Primarily based on the uncertainty of who else can be within the quarterback room with Pickett, it is potential the OC might include a veteran quarterback who has expertise operating his system. That QB in all probability would come on a tier beneath former Professional Bowlers Kirk Cousins (pending free agent) and Russell Wilson (out of favor in Denver).
One engaging identify for OC, though one which is perhaps the least practical, is Eric Bieniemy. He is nonetheless below contract with the Commanders, who’re out there for a brand new head coach after firing Ron Rivera.
If the Steelers had been to focus on Bieniemy, a veteran quarterback possibility may very well be Jacoby Brissett. The 31-year-old NFL journeyman spent this previous season with Washington as Sam Howell’s backup.
Whereas Bieniemy could have misplaced steam as a head-coaching candidate across the league, he nonetheless coordinated a Washington offense wherein Howell threw for 3,946 and 21 touchdowns in his second season within the league.
One other potential OC candidate is Klint Kubiak, the son of former NFL head coach Gary Kubiak. Whereas Gary’s teaching profession is over, his son’s is on the rise. Klint serves because the 49ers passing recreation coordinator.
If Kubiak had been to go to Pittsburgh, 49ers backup QB Sam Darnold — a former first-round decide and pending free agent — would possibly make sense for the Steelers. The third general decide within the 2018 NFL Draft is perhaps considered as a bust, however he is just one 12 months older than Pickett, who’s 25.
One other potential candidate is former Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, who now works for NFL Community after not being retained in Houston final 12 months. The Steelers showed interest in Hamilton in 2021.
If Pittsburgh had been to land Hamilton, present Giants backup QB Tyrod Taylor would possibly make sense for the Steelers, too. Hamilton labored with Taylor in 2020 with the Chargers.
It doesn’t matter what occurs within the offseason, it is possible the third quarterback to affix Pickett and a veteran can be a draft decide. The Steelers maintain the 20th pick within the first spherical of the draft, set for April 25 in Detroit.
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