Bold Steelers Prediction Sees $118 Million QB Starting in Pittsburgh

Since the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Arthur Smith to be their next offensive coordinator, Ryan Tannehill has been frequently linked with the team.

If the Steelers were to sign Tannehill rather than pursuing one of the bigger names available this offseason, it is assumed that they would be bringing him in to serve as the backup to Kenny Pickett.

Maybe that won’t be the way things stay if he is actually brought in.

In an article of bold predictions for each NFL team in 2024, Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr predicted that Tannehill would end up starting at least four games for the Steelers in 2024.

“This isn’t an anti-Kenny Pickett take, but it is an acknowledgement that the Steelers have some pressure to perform, they play in a tough division and were aggressive in pursuing Arthur Smith when Smith was let go by the Atlanta Falcons. Mason Rudolph is a pending free agent, and while he may end up possessing a higher upside than Tannehill, the Steelers could find some Tommy Maddox-style magic in the arm of the former first-round pick.”

Pressure on Pickett

Orr mentioned pressure on the Steelers to perform and Pickett will absolutely be feeling that pressure in 2024.

Since the team selected Pickett 20th overall in 2022 to replace Ben Roethlisberger as the organization’s franchise quarterback, the young QB has struggled.

Pickett has a winning record as a starting QB in the NFL, but his performances have left a lot to be desired.

He has a 1:1 touchdown to interception ratio and averages 179 passing yards per game through the first two seasons of his career.

A lot of the blame for his struggles was placed on former offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Canada is gone now, so there will be nobody to blame if Pickett doesn’t improve.

The team is giving him one more chance to prove he can be their franchise QB. If he doesn’t take major strides in 2024, then we could see the Steelers finish the season with a backup QB under center for a second year in a row.