Tim Benz: If quarterback mobility is in question, do the Steelers need to look elsewhere for an answer?

The season-ending press conference for Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin featured a moment similar to one we had seen numerous times in that setting throughout 2021.

That was Tomlin discussing mobility at the quarterback position.

“Quarterback mobility is valued, not only by me but by everyone. It’s just a component of today’s game and increasingly so,” Tomlin said.

Agreed.

And while quarterback mobility has been an increasingly important aspect of NFL offenses over recent years, it was a steadily decreasing component of Ben Roethlisberger’s game as his Steelers career dragged to a close this season.

And nimble footwork has never really been considered a strong attribute of either of his two backups. It appears Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins are quicker than Roethlisberger was by the end of his career. But neither player will be confused with Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen any time soon.

That said, both of Roethlisberger’s apprentices appear to have made progress in that regard. Haskins didn’t get any official playing time in his first regular season in Pittsburgh. Although, at least in camp and in the preseason, he appeared to be something more than the anchor he was in Washington. And Tomlin entrusted Haskins to show the defense the kind of looks necessary to prepare for some of the more mobile quarterbacks on the Steelers schedule.

Related:

• First Call: Antonio Brown mocks Bucs' defeat; possible candidate for Steelers defensive coordinator; AFC/NFC title game odds
• Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin says 'all options are on the table' for a new quarterback. Let's hope he means it

“When we play certain types of quarterbacks that have that kind of mobility, when we scout teams during the week, I have an opportunity to emulate them and what they do,” Haskins said. “Guys like Pat Mahomes. Guys that extend plays like Aaron Rodgers and throw balls down the field.”

As for Rudolph, in limited opportunities this year, he flashed a much better ability to break the pocket with a purpose and to rack up some positive yards when the play broke down, or to at least buy time when the pocket collapsed.

Which is quite often behind the Steelers’ current offensive line.

In his lone start of the year against the Detroit Lions, Rudolph busted off a 26-yard run. That got everybody’s attention. He also trucked safety Tracy Walker III during the game. Then, in relief against Kansas City on Dec. 26, Rudolph had a 17-yard scramble and managed to elude a number of jailbreak pass rushes.

“I’ve gotten better at that,” Rudolph said. “Whether it’s from a strength and conditioning standpoint, I think I have made improvements. But also just knowing the right times to extend the play to throw. But at times when you need to, getting it done on your legs. That excites me. I enjoy that.”

Having a quarterback who can move is believed to be an important component of Matt Canada’s offense and part of the reason why many believe the offensive coordinator’s gameplan appeared so neutered at times during the season.

“I know that’s a part of Matt Canada’s offense. It’s obviously something that coach Tomlin looks for in a quarterback,” Rudolph said.

Canada’s ability to design and call plays requiring quarterback movement was stymied during the season because of Roethlisberger’s inability to move like he once did early in his career.

Roethlisberger was only credited with five yards on 20 rushing attempts this year, a career low. Since Roethlisberger couldn’t defend himself with his legs, the need to get rid of the ball in less than 2.5 seconds on almost every play also restricted the menu of plays for Canada to construct.

“Being able to play against Canada in college I know he does a lot of different things with quarterback runs, quarterbacks on the move, evolving in the RPO (run-pass option) game as well,” Haskins said.

The question is, though, are Rudolph and Haskins mobile enough to make that much of a positive impact?

“(Tomlin) is defining quarterback mobility as a person that can extend plays,” Haskins said. “Not necessarily a Lamar Jackson type, a guy that can take off for 60 yards. But a guy that can get a first down. Be able to move around in the pocket, make a guy miss. The way a young Ben (Roethlisberger) was. Preaching a lot about how a young Ben was a Josh Allen-type early on in his career. That’s something I think he believes can add another dynamic to this offense.”

And it’s something that Haskins and/or Rudolph can probably do better than Roethlisberger did at 39 years of age. But they can’t do it as well as some of the veteran quarterbacks who may be available on the trade or free-agent markets, such as Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr or Russell Wilson.

Or as well as some potential rookie draft choices can. Prospects such as Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, Liberty’s Malik Willis or Mississippi’s Matt Corral.

As is the case with all things about the Steelers’ 2022 quarterback dilemma, the hope is Rudolph and Haskins might be better next year than Roethlisberger was this year with full knowledge that the quarterback job is theirs to win.

The fear is, whatever they do won’t be good enough to make much of a difference.

All the more reason to perhaps consider a fix from outside the organization. But that’s likely more than what this franchise will do.