The Pittsburgh Steelers are in familiar territory when it comes to the most important position on the field: quarterback.
Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky are the only quarterbacks currently on the roster, with Mason Rudolph becoming a free agent in March. With Trubisky the leading candidate for a possible loss, the Steelers currently have no options to compete with Pickett for the starting spot. GM Omar Khan has work to do, and Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote his thoughts on what the team can do. T
he Steelers need to find depth in the square.Fittipaldo raised the right issues while discussing when potential quarterback picks could arrive in the 2024 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 25-27 in Detroit, Michigan. “I think the Steelers need to add a quarterback, maybe two, this spring. One of them could pass the draft, but selecting a quarterback early seems like a no-brainer given their draft position and other positions that need immediate help. It is best to take one on day 2 or 3 of your project.The Steelers would be wise to wait until the later stages of the draft to select a quarterback.
At choice no. 20, the Steelers are unlikely to pick a day one difference maker at a first round position. Fittipaldo then discussed the exciting but volatile prospect.
Spencer Rattler Get started fast for valuable insightsRattler was a highly touted five-star prospect out of Arizona in 2019. He was even named the No. 1 recruit. 1 in the country in its class. Rattler redshirted his freshman year and earned his first job at the University of Oklahoma. In 2020, the Rattlers had a breakout season under current USC head coach Lincoln Riley.
The Rattler passed for 3,031 yards and 28 touchdowns and had six more touchdowns. He was named Co-Big 12 Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Big 12. He is a top contender for the 2021 Heisman Trophy and was even mentioned as a first-round pick that year.But 2021 didn’t go as planned for the Rattler. He threw for 1,483 yards and 11 touchdowns in just nine games, losing the starting job to Caleb Williams. We know what a great player Williams is. That’s because he’s expected to be selected first in this year’s draft.
After the 2021 season, Riley and Williams left Oklahoma for USC, where the Rattlers lost. He decided to enter the transfer portal and get a fresh start.Rattler landed at the University of South Carolina. Although he was unexpected in the first round, his reputation was somewhat restored. Rattler threw for at least 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in two seasons for the Gamecocks.
Those numbers may not stand out, but it’s important to remember that the Rattlers faced SEC defenses every week and didn’t have the best roster in the conference.
That person is not someone who cannot be trusted. “I think you’re going to experience adversity at some point in your life, and I’m glad I got to experience it early in college,” Rattler said. “Being involved in three different systems and two major conferences helps a lot. I feel like I’m ahead. There is still much to do. “I never want to be satisfied, but I’m confident in where I’m going.” He makes a valid point: seeing more systems in college would have prepared him to quickly learn other systems at the next level.
We’re looking It remains to be seen where the Rattler is projected to be at the end of the cycle, but he’s an intriguing prospect who could end up in the Steelers’ rotation in the later rounds.
