Steelers: Potential Ben Roethlisberger replacement showing out in bowl game

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to need their quarterback of the future. They should have kept their eyes peeled on the LendingTree Bowl on Saturday.

It has become evident that the Pittsburgh Steelers need to find a replacement for their 2004 first-round quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. The New York Giants drafted Daniel Jones to replace Eli Manning in 2019, while the Los Angeles Chargers selected Justin Herbert in 2020 to take over for Philip Rivers. Even with Roethlisberger squashing the report that he told people privately that this will be his last season as Steelers quarterback, the team needs to look to the future.

Perhaps the easiest way for the Steelers to find their new quarterback is in the 2022 NFL Draft. If there is one prospect that could have increased his stock, it is Liberty’s Malik Willis. Willis dominated in the LendingTree Bowl on Saturday, as he picked apart the Eastern Michigan Eagles.

Steelers: Malik Willis, potential Big Ben replacement, shows out in LendingTree Bowl

In the first half, Willis threw for 211 yards while accounting for three touchdowns entering halftime, with the Flames leading the Eagles 33-10. Willis showed what he could do with both his arm and his legs.

While trailing 3-0 in the first quarter, Willis uncorked a beautiful 54-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Stubbs to take the lead. Then, at the start of the second half, Willis ran out of the pocket and used his speed to run through Eastern Michigan’s defense to score his second rushing touchdown of the night, extending the team’s lead to 39-10.

You can check out both of those plays below.

Entering this game, Willis had thrown for 2,626 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while running for 820 yards and 11 touchdowns on 189 carries.

This year, there is no clear cut favorite to be the first quarterback taken off the board. It will all come down to how teams view each individual quarterback throughout the NFL Draft process. From watching bowl games and tape throughout the season, to scouting at the NFL Draft Combine, to attending Pro Days, that is where quarterback-needy teams will figure out which prospect is the one that can lead their franchise for the foreseeable future.

There is still plenty of time, but Willis’ showing at the LendingTree Bowl should catch the attention of the Steelers.