Steelers offseason positional outlook: Quarterbacks

Editor’s note: This is Part 1 of a 12-part series breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers at each position in the offseason. All salary cap information courtesy spotrac.com or overthecap.com:

For the first time since George W. Bush’s first term as president, the Pittsburgh Steelers head into an offseason facing decisions to make at the top of their quarterbacks depth chart. How they choose to navigate their course at the sport’s most important position not only could reverberate for years but also allow a peek into the organization’s mindset and path.

Ben Roethlisberger will be 39 in March, and he finished last season with one of the more mediocre stretches of his career. A year after elbow surgery and rehabilitation, Roethlisberger went from being a potential MVP candidate when December began to having a faction of fans pushing him into retirement six weeks later.

After having a 22-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio over his first nine games of 2020, Roethlisberger was at 15-to-10 over his final seven games. That includes four interceptions during a humiliating playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Still, his 33 touchdown passes (in 15 games) were the second most of his 17-year career. He averaged 253.3 yards and finished tied for seventh in the NFL in touchdowns.

Yes, the deep passing game largely was ordinary, and a quick-release, short-pass attack somewhat hamstrung the offensive scheme. Roethlisberger’s play, by subjective and objective measure, has slipped from his prime.

But that doesn’t mean he must be cast aside. Quarterbacks capable of throwing for almost 4,000 yards and more than two touchdowns per game don’t grow on trees. And with $19 million due in 2021, that’s more than reasonable for a capable veteran quarterback. Philip Rivers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady were older than Big Ben in 2020, and each made $25 million. Borderline starter Teddy Bridgewater was signed and paid $23 million last year.

If the Steelers move on from Roethlisberger, would they just plug that hole with another quarterback who makes just as much? Would he be any better?

Roethlisberger’s contract has $22.25 million of “dead money” (past paid bonuses) that needs accounted for at some point. As things stand, he would count $41.25 million against the 2021 salary cap. A decision needs to be made by March 19, when a $15 million bonus is due.

First and foremost, Roethlisberger needs to declare (publicly or privately) he wants to keep playing — and the Steelers need to agree to have him back. It is not out of the realm of possibility the organization might prefer to respectfully turn the page to a new era.

The more likely outcome is the Steelers ride one last time with Roethlisberger. If so, they could give him an extension not because they intend for him to play in 2022 but to ease the ’21 cap hit.

That would signal Mason Rudolph is not viewed as the long-term answer because Rudolph is scheduled to hit free agency next spring. But if Roethlisberger retires, the Steelers could eschew pursuing a veteran QB and instead hand the keys to Rudolph for a year.

If Rudolph succeeds, the team signs him long term and has its quarterback. If he fails, at least that’s known, and the Steelers can go into next offseason with a higher-than-usual draft pick and some cap flexibility (Roethlisberger’s obligations off the books) to find their next quarterback.

A wild card in the situation is Dwayne Haskins. The Steelers view the former first-round pick as a low-risk, high-reward flier worth taking. If the 23-year-old can impress during offseason workouts and training camp and show increased physical and mental maturity, Haskins offers another option for 2022 and beyond.

Offseason outlook: QBs

Returnees

Ben Roethlisberger, 1 year left on contract, $41.25 million cap hit for 2021

Mason Rudolph, 1 year left on contract, $1.25 million cap hit for 2021

Dwayne Haskins, 1 year left on contract, unknown salary but expected to be at or near league minimum

Free agents

Josh Dobbs, unrestricted, $825,000 cap hit in 2020

Tomorrow: Running backs

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