The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to look and feel very different next season following Mike Tomlin’s departure after 19 seasons as the head coach. The Steelers brought in a former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers head coach as Tomlin’s replacement, but ironically, he’ll be dealing with the same major problem that loomed over the end of the Tomlin era.
The Steelers still don’t have a long term solution at quarterback, and are also lacking answers about who will fill the role in the short-term. Aaron Rodgers was the starter last season, but may retire, and even if he doesn’t, he will be an unrestricted free agent.
For his part, McCarthy made it clear in his introductory press conference that he would love to have Rodgers, with whom he won a Super Bowl as the Packers’ head coach, return next season.
If the Steelers don’t get Rodgers next season, and they don’t feel rookie Will Howard is up to the task, they’ll have to look for outside answers. Unfortunately, this year’s draft class is viewed as a weak one at the quarterback position.
One option is to bring in a backup that showed some upside last year, such as Malik Willis. While Willis has been floated by analysts as a potential answer for the Steelers, another name is not in the cards, per one of the league’s most prominent insiders.
“Despite continued speculation, the 49ers have no plans to trade QB Mac Jones this off-season and fully intend to bring him back to back up Brock Purdy, per sources,” reported ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter’s reporting confirms the Steelers’ increased reliance on being able to bring back Rodgers, who will be 43 at the conclusion of next season. Although the head coach may have changed in Pittsburgh, it’s starting to feel like some things never will.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.