Ben Roethlisberger’s return to the Steelers for the 2021 season has delayed the need to make a decision about the future of the Steelers quarterback position for one more season. But Roethlisberger reclaiming the starting role in 2021 doesn’t necessarily provide a solution for the 2022 season.
The NFL is a quarterback driven league and the uncertainty around who will be given the keys to the franchise to start the post-Roethlisberger era has fans concerned the next decade of football in Pittsburgh.
Mason Rudolph is the only quarterback on the roster who is signed beyond this coming season. Does that mean Rudolph, who played well in a Week 17 season finale against the Cleveland Browns last year, is destined to take over when Roethlisberger’s Hall of Fame career with the Steelers comes to a close? While some believe Rudolph’s latest contract extension signals the Steelers are confident in him moving forward, others point to the acquisition of former first round pick Dwayne Haskins as a reason to think Rudolph hasn’t even secured the 2021 backup role.
It’s fair to say Haskins may have the talent edge over Rudolph, but it’s also fair to say Haskins might be judged more by what he does off the field than on it based on how his brief tenure with Washington ended.
Maybe the Steelers answer to life after Roethlisberger can’t even be found on this current roster. Pittsburgh could have to look to the NFL Draft to find their quarterback of the future. Could Ben Roethlisberger even decide to play yet another season and remain the best option if things go well this year?
Who do you believe will start Week 1 of the 2022 season for the Steelers?
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