Steelers ‘Believe it or Not’: Team is ‘comfortable’ with its backup quarterbacks

Editor’s note: Pittsburgh Steelers fans are getting ready for the start of NFL free agency on March 18. The NFL Draft begins April 23.

So we are investigating a few things the Steelers have told us about what they plan to do this offseason.

And if we believe those things will happen. Or if we think they are blowing smoke.

During this five-day series, we are going to examine some of the stated plans and goals of head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Kevin Colbert and owner Art Rooney II.

Most importantly, we decide if we can expect those things to play out the way they want us to assume.

On Wednesday, we began our series examining Colbert’s declaration that Ben Roethlisberger may be better than ever despite his elbow surgery.

Thursday, we look at a series of equally bold statements from all three men, stating that they are “comfortable” with the Steelers’ backup quarterback situation.

Right now, the quarterbacks on the depth chart are Mason Rudolph, Devlin Hodges, Paxton Lynch and J.T. Barrett.

Quotes on why they are comfortable with backup quarterback situation

Mike Tomlin (Dec. 31): “He missed some time due to injury and performance and so forth, but I’m comfortable with Mason Rudolph.”

Art Rooney II (Jan. 15): “I think as we sit here today, we are all comfortable with Mason being our backup. Speaking of unusual seasons, he had an unusual season. He had to deal with some unusual circumstances, including injuries and everything else… I think we are all pretty comfortable with Mason coming back as our backup and being a guy who can continue to develop.” (via Steelers.com)

Kevin Colbert (Feb. 13): “We are comfortable with who those backups are. I thought they did a representative job in 2019 under the circumstances. Mason Rudolph as a starter was 5-3. Devlin Hodges as a starter was 3-3. Collectively, they were 8-6, which was part of our 8-8 finish that wasn’t good enough. But I thought those two did a representative job. I know they are both young players, and I think they can still get better… We feel comfortable with those four guys as we enter camp.” (via Steelers.com)

Believe it or not?

Don’t believe it.

Why we shouldn’t

The Steelers’ brain trust is “comfortable” with the backup quarterback situation in the same way most people are comfortable with their student loan debt.

You have to be “comfortable” with it because there is nothing you can do about it. So you carry it as a burden. You manage it. You hope to avoid it. And work around it.

Theoretically, the Steelers could adjust their backup quarterback situation.

They could sign a veteran backup such as Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater or Ryan Fitzpatrick.

I’d endorse that idea. But at what cost?

I’ve seen Bridgewater’s projected contract anywhere between $12 million-$30 million. Fitzpatrick made $8 million last year. Keenum made $3.5 million.

Rudolph, Lynch, Hodges and Barrett are scheduled to make $2.899 million against the cap next year — combined.

That’d be an area of much needed relief for the cap-strapped Steelers. And outbidding other teams for the luxury of signing a decent veteran reserve QB may not be a luxury Colbert can afford.

Do they actually believe themselves?

Of course they don’t. But they have to pretend.

With Roethlisberger making just two starts in 2019, the Steelers averaged only 186 passing yards per game. The Washington Redskins (175 yards per game) were the only team in the NFL worse than that.

The Steelers threw a collective 19 interceptions, fifth most in the NFL. Their 18 touchdown passes were the third-lowest total in football. The team’s passer rating (76.1) and yards per pass attempt (6.3) were second from the basement.

Would you feel “comfortable”?

The Steelers were so comfortable with Rudolph last year that they benched him for an undrafted duck-calling champion from Samford.

They were so comfortable with Hodges that they put Rudolph back into action mid-game versus the New York Jets.

They are so comfortable with Lynch that they never let him take a snap. And they are so confident in Barrett that they are keeping Lynch on the roster for now anyway.

The Steelers are not comfortable with their backup quarterback situation. They are hopeful.

They are hopeful Rudolph improves. They are hopeful one of the other three quarterbacks, at least, looks NFL capable.

Most importantly, they are hopeful Roethlisberger never misses a snap.