Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrate a sack of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) in the fourth quarter of a Week 12 NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, at Paycor Stadium.
This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers might find themselves in the midst of the quarterback market.
Renowned signal callers like Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins will be a better option than Kenny Pickett. But the Steelers want someone to challenge Pickett, not a seasoned player who will push him to the sideline all the time.
However, there could not be any competition at all for other free agent choices like Marcus Mariota and Tyrod Taylor.
Veteran Ryan Tannehill is one free agency quarterback who might challenge Pickett but not push for the starting position.
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report suggested that the Steelers could think about signing Tannehill and re-sign Mason Rudolph.
“To push Pickett for the job, Pittsburgh should consider signing Ryan Tannehill, re-sign Rudolph, and cut Mitch Trubisky, who struggled in spot starts this past season,” wrote Moton.
Moton suggested the Steelers sign Drew Lock or Jacoby Brissett in addition to Tannehill.
Prior to the 2020 campaign, Tannehill inked a four-year, $118 million contract with the Tennessee Titans.
How the Steelers and Ryan Tannehill Could Fit Together
Tannehill seems to be the most sensible choice out of the three free agency choices Moton outlined.
In July, Tannehill turns 36. He is therefore much older than Brissett and Lock, although he has more league experience. Tannehill has an 81-70 record in starting 151 NFL games. With a completion rate of 64.3%, he has averaged 7.3 yards per attempt, 216 touchdowns, and 115 interceptions.
In his career, he has also won two postseason games.
In the NFL, Tannehill might still start games. He thus becomes Pickett’s rival. In the near term, Tannehill might be a respectable starting option behind center if he outperformed Pickett in the preseason.
However, Tannehill would likely be a good fit as Pickett’s backup as well, especially considering his age and the fact that he lost his starting position this past season.
In 2019, Tannehill had his finest statistical season as the Titans’ backup quarterback at the start of the season. For the final ten games, he took Mariota’s spot, helping the Titans win 7-3. Despite only having six interceptions, he completed 22 touchdown passes at an average of 9.6 yards per pass.
Tannehill guided the Titans to the AFC title game during the postseason.
