QB position in 2026

In theory, Big Ben is an idiot. The end.

 

I think we are all waiting on the Trinidad Chambliss ruling.
Or should be.

 

I've already said that if it's McCarthy and Rodgers next year then I hope they lose every game.

 

I think ole Justin did himself in as a starter in this league. He had his chance, and it didn't work out unfortunately.

 

Fields>Rudolph>Howard

 

And he is a Jets $23M cap hit for a guy who won’t start

 

The team has a lot of holes...definitely need to go BPA, I would hate to reach for a QB in the first.

We could use a first round Safety, Cornerback, Offensive Linenmen, Defensive Linemen, or WR if warranted.

 

Because he’s right.

 

It's also possible with a sound team around him that even an average QB can be made to look good. What the Steelers did in the '80s. Though I am not sure how a team can get through the gauntlet of Burrow, Allen, Mahomes, to a championship with a non-elite QB. Odds don't seem great that they will all suck in the next five years.

 

..... Wish I could be paid $30M for failing at my job.

 

The great thing about the quarterback position is that the team can basically start over if they want to. I'm with you, if they stick with the three quarterbacks currently on the roster(Thompson may be a free agent?), you have to see what Howard can do. Rudolph is a known quantity and the team needs more than that at the starting quarterback position.

I'm also fine with them signing someone in free agency. Willis is intriguing, but you don't want to overpay for an unproven player. If they can sign him to a reasonable deal I can see that.

Another option is that they trade for a quarterback that is under contract with another team. Who knows which quarterbacks they would be interested in, and which teams want to move on from those quarterbacks.

Drafting a quarterback is still something they need to consider. I believe they are going to take a quarterback in this draft at some point. Simpson, Allar, Chambliss, Nussmeier, Pavia, Robertson, etc...

Of course the coaching hire will have a huge effect on what they do, so this is something that is going to continue to develop over the offseason.

 

I agree, go with one of the QBs on the roster. We don't have to draft a first-round QB either; they can take one in a lower round. The Steelers need to be drafting a QB every year until they find their guy. The draft needs to be more BPA. Mason is on the roster. Howard was injured last preseason and didn't get full participation, so they hopefully get to see more.

Bringing in a retread like Kirk Cousins or Mac Jones is punting on the season. They are expensive, low-ceiling QBs that, at best, keep this team treading water. Willis is only 6'0", which is not great, especially in this division, and he caught fire for that stretch in La Fleur's offense. He did a good job, but are we bringing in Matt La Fleur to call plays for the Steelers?

How well does Willis fit the next head coach's offensive system?

The Steelers need to benefit from having a salary-cap-friendly rookie QB to build the rest of the team around.

 

If he was cheap, I'd be OK trying Willis. But it's the NFL. And so many teams are thirsty for even an average-ish QB.

So someone will overpay Willis and he'll probably not be good (just like Fields last year).

Mason also had a small sample of good games. I have never believed that he's a starter in the NFL. But I don't think he's worse than Willis. So I wouldn't pay much for Willis.

It's really too bad we've never seen Howard throw a ball in a game outside of college. His injury really hurt last year. Would have been nice to at least see him play against a bunch of guys who made practice squads (or at least initial rosters before getting a visit from the Turk).

I'd be fine going into the season with Mason, Howard, and whatever other two cheap options we can get. Maybe a failed high pedigree guy and a young guy for a camp arm.

Then let Mason and Howard compete.

But I don't think Art will be OK with this plan. He's not going to tank. And this plan isn't one that will entice people to buy season tickets.

 

He take it the way it is

Otherwise @steelersrule6 will start thinking on his own

 

I don't feel this plan would necessarily be a tank. As long as the team is competitive and organically has a below average season to me its a win to get better draft position. Even a 8-9 or a 7-10 season would help in the building from the draft. We need a franchise QB in which I beleive is not in the cards this upcoming draft. To many also-rans have been signed and they need to draft, develop find those above average players and add a small amount of outside pieces. Just look at the secondary for reference as well as the receiver position.

The season ticket wait is about 20 years. I don't believe it would effect that.

Malik Willis is projected to command a significant contract in the 2026 NFL free agency market, potentially in the $8-$10 million per year range (or $40M/2yrs) for a backup role, with potential for more if a team sees him as a legitimate starter, with some analysts suggesting a $10.3M/yr average or even a $40-50 million total deal if he lands a starting job, according to recent 2026 reports. His value hinges on teams willing to invest in his untapped upside after a strong showing as a backup for the Packers, pricing him out of a cheap backup role.

Again this is only an AI projection I found. To to much if you ask me.

 

With a good OC and offensive game planning Rudolph can be a decent game manager but i agree that Howard probably has more upside, but theres still got to be a reason why he was taken so low in the draft; inconsistency, accuracy issues? Im sure the Steelers thought Bubby Brister had more upside than Mark Malone but it never really panned out because Bubby never really learned how to read defenses. More athletic? Stronger arm? Sure.

i wonder if we have a similar situation now

 

I think the reason is that it's still very difficult to predict how good a QB will be in the NFL. Teams passed on Tom Brady, Kurt Warner, Brock Purdy, Mark Brunell, Rich Gannon, etc..

For whatever reason, John Gruden seems to think Howard is all that. I don't know that I trust our former coaching staff to evaluate Howard in practice. And then he was injured. So, we still don't know what we have.