The Pittsburgh Steelers did not reach out to former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston. Do not expect them to reach to 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton, either.
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said the team has yet to even enter into negotiations with any veteran quarterbacks left in free agency (via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk):
“I can honestly say that we absolutely made no negotiation or any offer to any veteran quarterback,” Colbert said.
It sounds like the Steelers are hitching their playoff hopes to Ben Roethlisberger staying healthy.
Mason Rudolph's play as the starter last season prompted some suggestions the Steelers would be entertaining the idea of acquiring or drafting a new quarterback.
However, Colbert made it pretty evident he felt comfortable with their situation after he passed on drafting a quarterback last weekend.
Roethlisberger has been relatively durable for the majority of his career, 2019 notwithstanding. Still, it is somewhat curious the Steelers have not even considered adding talent at the position.
“Big Ben” just turned 38 at the start of March, and his career arc is likely on the way down. Rudolph hardly looked like the future franchise quarterback last season. In fact, he ranked dead-last among all qualified passers in total QBR, per ESPN.
Of course, the Steelers do not have much cap space to work with. Their number sits at just under $6 million, per Over The Cap. Pittsburgh is also prioritizing winning right now.
Still, it is a bit interesting to hear Colbert outright say the team was never interested in potentially adding a quarterback.
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