According to Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus, Ryan Tannehill is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ best option as a free agent quarterback addition, especially with Arthur Smith joining the team as offensive coordinator. On the February 2 episode of the PFF NFL Show, however, Spielberger still listed the Steelers as one of his preferred landing locations for quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Spielberger remarked, “The Tennessee days with [Ryan Tannehill and Arthur Smith] make him the easier connection.” But I also wonder if the Steelers sit there and think, ‘Hey, we’ve had a number of years when we’ve gone 9-8, 10-7, with quarterback play that is, to put it mildly, replacement level. Below average, without a doubt.
“Cameron Heyward is going to be 35, I think, next year. T.J. Watt is going to be 30. I’m sure he’s going to be good for several more years, but maybe they just say, ‘You know what, let’s make a bit of a splash. Go get Kirk Cousins, and we think we can win a couple playoff games with everything the same but then you add in a clear upgrade at quarterback.’
