5. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger is 34 years old now, and he’s played all 16 games just twice in the last seven seasons. Bruce Gradkowski’s likely season-ending hamstring injury has solidified Landry Jones as Roethlisberger’s backup, with Bryn Renner No. 3 on the depth chart right now.
Jones threw four interceptions in the first half of Pittsburgh’s second preseason game. Even with a solid bounce-back effort last week, he inspires little confidence about a relatively seamless transition if Roethlisberger were injured again. In seven games played last season, including two starts, Jones completed 58.2 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and four interceptions. A small sample size has to be noted (55 attempts), but Jones does not look like a future NFL starter.
The Steelers aren’t obviously in the market for a quarterback, but Roethlisberger’s injury history and age points to the idea they should be. As a possible No.3 quarterback with experience, and potential competition for Jones eventually, Mettenberger is a fit in Pittsburgh.
Next: 4. Seattle Seahawks