There’s one thing Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay can agree on with Steelers next QB

ESPN NFL Draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay agree on one thing, and it’s that the Pittsburgh Steelers have to figure out the quarterback position.

The 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers managed to sneak into the playoffs, but suffered an early elimination by the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, they have an all-important offseason because they need to find a quarterback to replace Ben Roethlisberger, who announced his retirement after 18 years in the NFL. What they do to address will remain to be seen.

During the most recent episode of the “First Draft” podcast, ESPN NFL Draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay discussed the Steelers, and both agreed that the organization needs to figure out what to do to fill the vacancy on the QB1 spot on the depth chart. That is because they have have to contend with quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield in the AFC North division.

"“I had Matt Corral going there in mock 1.0, had Kenny Pickett going a little earlier, had Malik Willis at 11 to Washington, right? So are they excited enough about one of those quarterbacks or do they make a move for Jimmy Garoppolo and give up a second?”said Kiper, h/t Steelers Depot. “They don’t have a lot of picks this year…So think about giving up a two for Jimmy G. Washington giving up a two for Jimmy G — there’s gonna be some activity there. So do you feel it’s better to get Jimmy Garoppolo or draft one of these quarterbacks? We’ll have to wait and see how it all shakes down. It’s gonna be really interesting to see how the Steelers attack it because…they know what they need. You’re right, Todd. They had to be aggressively looking to these quarterbacks as they know, the three young guns that are in this division are not going away.”"

Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay discuss Steelers quarterback situation

Let’s face it, Kiper and McShay agreeing on anything is news.

This is a year that the quarterback class will require a bit more studying. There is no slam dunk superstar like an Andrew Luck or Trevor Lawrence. It will all be up to the pre-draft process to determine what quarterback would be worthy of being Pittsburgh’s next signal caller for the foreseeable future.

The Steelers will have to do their homework in the Scouting Combine and at Pro Days to see if there is a signal caller that they feel can succeed Roethlisberger. But if they find a prospect they love, they will likely have to trade up from the No. 20 spot and give up significant draft capital on the first night of the NFL Draft to do so.

If they do not want to make that huge of a leap for a quarterback in the draft class, they can check the trade market, as Kiper mentions in the quote above. One name mentioned is Jimmy Garoppolo, who probably will not cost too much in a trade. Yet, Pittsburgh has to determine is whether he is a quarterback that can help them win right away.

Then there is always the possibility that the Steelers can stick with Mason Rudolph as their starter for the 2022 season.

It’s obvious that the Steelers will be in the market for a quarterback this offseason. How they address will have everyone’s interest.