New QB Option Emerges for Steelers
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are searching for a quarterback - or at least competition with Kenny Pickett - and despite holding onto hope for Mason Rudolph to re-sign, another name has emerged as a potential option.
NFL analyst Rich Eisen has tossed a new name into the quarterback carousel for the Steelers. If the team does lose out on Rudolph, they could turn to a new option, signing former Las Vegas Raider Jimmy Garoppolo to be Pickett's backup.
"Maybe he’s a guy who winds up in Pittsburgh,” Eisen said when asked about Garoppolo's landing spot. "Backing up Kenny Pickett? Honestly.”
Garoppolo is facing a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy. He's expected to be released by the Raiders before mid-March, ending his one-year run in Vegas.
Right now, the Steelers' first option is Rudolph, who they believe could be the starter in 2024 if given a fair shot. However, reports claim he could be looking for a new location this offseason, leaving Pittsburgh in search of another veteran quarterback.
Eisen believes Garoppolo could walk in with backup expectations, but by the time it's all over, Pittsburgh may have another starter-capable quarterback on their hands.
"Remember when Jimmy Garoppolo, the quarterback in question, was told you’re so far gone, we’re not even giving you a playbook at the start of training camp," Eisen said. "And at the end of training camp, he was signed. And then wound up being the starter. Get out of here with saying his days are over being a starter."
At 32 years old, Garoppolo is 43-20 as a starter in the NFL, throwing for 94 touchdowns and 51 interceptions. He's made a Super Bowl run with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019, but that year was his only complete season without missing any games.
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