Antonio Brown weighs in on the Steelers’ quarterback situation.
Since the Pittsburgh Steelers, there have been a variety of viewpoints expressed concerning the team’s quarterback issue.
Four different quarterbacks have been mentioned by various analysts as potential candidates for the role.
During his season-ending press conference, Mike Tomlin claimed that the team’s quarterback was already on the roster.
Diontae Johnson expressed support for Mason Rudolph’s return.
Antonio Brown, a controversial former Steelers receiver, has spoken out on his former team’s quarterback predicament.
Brown encouraged Twitter users to “Ask AB.” One user asked him who his quarterback would be and how many targets George Pickens would receive every game if he were the Steelers’ offensive coordinator.
Brown chose Rudolph and stated that he would have his quarterback throw to Pickens at least 16 times each game.
While Rudolph played well at the end of the 2023 regular season, the Steelers may struggle to make him the starting quarterback the following season.
The issue that the Steelers face
When the Steelers opted to go with Rudolph as their quarterback for the remainder of the 2023 season, they had an easy way to explain why they hadn’t given up on Kenny Pickett.
They were simply relying on their advantage.
If the Steelers re-sign Rudolph and make him the starter in Week 1 of the 2024 season, they will confess defeat in their investment in Pickett.
That would be a tough pill to stomach only two seasons after the organization used the 20th overall choice on the failing quarterback.
It would also be a move with limited potential.
Yes, Rudolph won the final three regular-season games to advance to the playoffs, but the club was well on track to do so before Pickett’s injury.
He had a 7-5 record as a starter before his injury, which opened the door for Rudolph.
10-7 with a first-round playoff exit wasn’t much better than Pickett’s performance.
That is probably their ceiling with Rudolph.
If the organization decides to make a move for a veteran who they believe can lead them to a playoff run, giving up on Pickett may be something the front office and fans can accept.
Another season with nine or ten wins and an early playoff elimination does not seem sufficient.
If that or giving Pickett another chance to prove he can lead the club are the options, hoping Pickett succeeds or fails poorly enough to set the Steelers up to choose his replacement seems like the better option.
Increasing Pickens’ involvement
Brown did get one thing right: the Steelers need to involve Pickens more frequently.
Four targets every quarter is a bit much, but he does need to see more of the ball.
Pickens received only 106 targets in 17 games during the 2023 season. That’s barely over six targets per game, which is astonishingly low for a man who finished with 1140 yards on the season.
It’s a problem with the Steelers’ scheme rather than the quarterback’s performance. The Jets’ quarterbacks were terrible in 2023. Garrett Wilson was still targeted 168 times.
Fans were outraged by Arthur Smith’s usage of weaponry with the Falcons. Drake London still received 110 targets from a pair of underwhelming quarterbacks over 16 games.
Pickens stated unequivocally that he has the potential to be a true WR1 in 2023.
If the Steelers’ offense is to develop, they must treat Pickens as an exceptional option in 2024, regardless of who becomes their next offensive coordinator.
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