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Mike Tomlin Hints at Steelers Next QB

The Pittsburgh Steelers head coach has specific values for his next quarterback.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely be quarterback shopping this offseason after Mitch Trubisky didn't work out. And when they're looking for a backup to sit behind Kenny Pickett, chances are they're going to lean toward a veteran over a rookie. 

Why? Because head coach Mike Tomlin has a philosophy for his QB2. 

Speaking with Bob Pompiani on the team's YouTube channel, the Steelers head coach explained why they value veteran backups like many other teams around the league. 

"When you have guys that can play, you gotta be comfortable in terms of doing business with them," Tomlin said. "That’s why we do some of the things that we do organizationally in terms of valuing veteran backups and continuity in terms of some of our business relationships at that position. We just came off of a game versus Indy. [Gardner Minshew II] came from Philadelphia with that staff to Indy as another reflection of the value of continuity and things at that position to reflect how unstable things are in today’s game."

The Steelers typically have a veteran in their quarterback room, but near the end of Ben Roethlisberger's career, they went the opposite way - drafting Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph. With Pickett entering his third season, it appears they're still going to be looking for a veteran presence to pair with their young starter. 

Chances are Trubisky is gone, but Mason Rudolph has an opportunity to showcase he's worthy of a backup spot in the league. If he does so, he could be their option as Pickett's backup next season. 

If not, expect the Steelers to go shopping for a vet in free agency. 

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