Among the many noteworthy statements Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a season-end call with beat reporters is Pittsburgh will be looking for a free-agent quarterback this offseason.
“I think when you look at our room, we’ll have to add somebody to the room this offseason,” said Rooney II. “We’ll look at all the opportunities we have to do that.”
Although the question posed by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor was specific to the plan when Roethlisberger retires, Rooney said the team will have to add a quarterback this offseason.
32 quarterbacks are currently set to hit free agency in March, including Cam Newton and Jameis Winston.
I asked Art Rooney II if he's comfortable with the QB succession plan in the event Roethlisberger retires, if they'll add a FA QB: " I think when you look at our room, we’ll have to add somebody to the room this offseason. We’ll look at all the opportunities we have to do that."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 28, 2021
Rooney II also said, per Bob Labriola of Steelers.com, “I feel confident [Mason] can be a quarterback in this league and a starter in this league.”
This comment is more about what he didn’t say — that he could be a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Perhaps it’ll be with another team? The QB room would be plenty full with Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins and a free agent. Unless, of course, the Steelers simply re-sign Josh Dobbs, who will be a free agent in March — which I don’t see them doing.
In 15 games (nine starts), Rudolph’s record is 5-4. He’s passed for 2,089 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
