Steelers: 3 quarterbacks team should target this offseason
By John Buhler
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in need of a new starting quarterback for the 2021 NFL season.
If the last few weeks of the 2020 NFL season have taught us anything, it is that Ben Roethlisberger is running out of time to be the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ franchise quarterback.
After getting off to a brilliant 11-0 start, the Steelers are struggling offensively. Though this is a team led by its defense, the lackluster play of late from Big Ben is more than concerning. It is the biggest reason nobody outside of Western Pennsylvania thinks this team can win the Super Bowl. How is this offense going to win four games in a row en route to hoisting a Lombardi Trophy now?
3 replacements for Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh for 2021
15. Pick Analysis. Jameis Winston. 3. QB. New Orleans Saints. player. Scouting Report
He drew compassions to Big Ben coming out of Florida State in 2015
When Roethlisberger was at his best, he was a top-10 quarterback in the history of the NFL. Frankly, he still may be when it is all said in done. However, his injury-riddled career and inconsistency throughout it as a passer may eventually knock him down a peg. So why not sign someone who sort of plays like him in New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Jameis Winston?
Prior to riding pine in The Big Easy, Winston threw for a ton of yards and interceptions as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback. Prior to that, he was a Heisman Trophy winner and a national champion with he Florida State Seminoles. Like Roethlisberger, Winston never saw a window he did not think he could rifle a pigskin through. Maybe he can reinvent himself in the Steel City?
Winston has the arm talent to thrive in any weather climate. He marveled at times in Dirk Koetter and Bruce Arians’ pass-heavy offense. Maturity issues and turnovers have him serving as a million dollar backup in year six, but if any clipboard holder can rehabilitate himself in the Steelers organization, it would have to be Winston. He is a great student and a fantastic teammate.
Yes, Steelers Nation will have to live with the interceptions, but if they do not sign him, some other northern team with quarterback issues like the Chicago Bears will bring him into their organization. Since Winston signed for pennies on the dollar to back up Drew Brees, he is not going to command a ton once he hits the open market in his impending 2021 NFL free agency.