In a recent revelation that has piqued the attention of football fans, Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II hinted at a potential course correction in their team strategy.
He did not completely dismiss the idea of bringing in a veteran quarterback through trade, a statement made during an interview with Bob Pompeani of KDKA-TV.
“Well, you know, as we sit here early February, we’re not closing the door on anything,” Rooney said. “We have a lot of evaluations to go through and we’ll go through all the options and do what we need to do to be better this coming season.”
Steelers president Art Rooney II doesn't rule out trading for a veteran quarterback. https://t.co/8PIUCkCIcx
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 7, 2024
The possibility of a quarterback trade might seem like a major shift for the Steelers. However, it’s important to note that Rooney’s statement does not necessarily solidify any plans to move forward with a trade. It also doesn’t imply an immediate dismissal of Pickett from his QB1 status.
In scrutinizing Pickett’s performance over his two NFL seasons, it’s clear he hasn’t done anything particularly noteworthy to cement his place as the top choice for the quarterback position for the 2024 season.
His performance so far, while adequate, hasn’t made any exceptional waves during his tenure with the Steelers.
Adding another layer to this complex quarterback scenario is Mason Rudolph. He had an impressive run with the Steelers, particularly during the latter part of the season.
His strong performance, even while Pickett was recovered from an ankle injury, has raised an intriguing debate about his viability as a quarterback for the team.
Regardless of the speculations, the ultimate objective for the Steelers remains crystal clear – they are looking to improve, particularly on the offensive front.
Whether that includes trading for an experienced quarterback or fostering in-house talent like Rudolph will depend on the team’s overarching strategy and execution.
