Twenty years passed after Terry Bradshaw's retirement before the Steelers drafted a quarterback. Quick action was taken by the Steelers following Ben Roethlisbeger's retirement. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett was selected with their first-round selection in the subsequent draft.
Two seasons later, the Steelers sent Pickett to Philadelphia for a rather meager return, terminating their experiment with him.
Following their recent concentration on Pickett and Mason Rudolph—who started the final three games of the regular season (all victories) and a playoff loss to Buffalo—the Steelers have decided to part ways with Rudolph.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac stated less than a month ago that the Steelers have no interest in a starting quarterback with experience. That strategy took a sharp turn a week ago when Dulac reported that Russell Wilson was visiting the Steelers, maybe as an attempt to make atonement by whatever had steered him wrong.
Currently, Pickett has been traded, Rudolph has signed with the Titans, and Russ has been announced as the new starter in Pittsburgh. The majority of teams won't be too concerned. This is different from the Steelers' usual style of play. They have patience. They move slowly and deliberately. Little risk-taking is their style. Neither the conventional nor the Jerry Jones absurd sense of "all in" applies to them.
So they are now. They have acknowledged that Pickett was an error. Throughout his two years and twenty-four starts, he failed to make an impression. His passing grade was a pitiful 78.8. His passing statistics were 13 TDs and 13 interceptions.
The Steelers have abandoned their cautious strategy and taken a risk. I am in, Russ. No more Kenny. Mason has departed. Wilson is the only quarterback they have under contract. We don't yet know who they'll recruit. (You can still rely on Ryan Tannehill.)
At this time, we just know one thing. The Steelers have completely turned their playbook on its head. It would be fascinating to observe if this is an exception or the beginning of a new pattern.
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