The Pittsburgh Steelers and their quarterback room have been one of the most discussed topics so far this offseason. It has been less than a week since the end of the 2023 season, but everyone seems to have an opinion on who the Steelers should or should not bring in to compete with Kenny Pickett for the starting quarterback job. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stated the conversation during his end-of-the-year press conference. Tomlin made it a point to mention that the team will look to add a veteran quarterback to compete with Pickett.
Steelers veteran cornerback, Patrick Peterson was the latest to discuss the position group. On his podcast, All Things Covered, Peterson and former Steelers cornerback, Bryant McFadden, discussed adding a veteran to the quarterback room that would fit well with new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith. Former Tennessee Titans quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, has been a popular name among those who are trying to predict who the Steelers will bring in to add to their quarterback room. Peterson has now joined the list of those who have endorsed the move.
“I think it’d be great because he’s a guy who’s been in the system, who understands the system.”
Peterson certainly has a fair point there. The best two seasons of Tannehill’s career were when Smith was his offensive coordinator in Tennessee. In the 2019 and 2020 seasons under Smith, Tannehill threw for 6,561 yards with 55 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions in 28 starts. Those numbers were so great that Tannehill was named the 2019 NFL Comeback Player of the Year and was also added to the Pro Bowl roster. Having a veteran quarterback who has had an eerily similar beginning of his career as Pickett could be great for Pickett’s development. Both struggled early in their careers after being first-round draft picks. The only problem is that Tannehill hasn’t always been open to mentoring a young quarterback.
Peterson also made note of that during his recent podcast episode.
“But also we got to remember that that comment that Ryan Tannehill made a couple years ago. Drafted [Malik Willis] about mentoring, willing to come there and be a mentor. You have to understand if you are coming into this situation, that Kenny Pickett is the guy.”
Peterson is referencing to a quote from Tannehill from a 2022 press conference following the Titans’ drafting of quarterback Malik Willis in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
“That’s part of being in a quarterback room, in the same room, we’re competing against each other, we’re watching the same tape, we’re doing the same drills,” Tannehill explained. “I don’t think it’s my job to mentor him. But if he learns from me along the way, then that’s a great thing.”
Those are not exactly the most welcoming comments for a young quarterback to hear. Tannehill would certainly have to change his tune if he were to come to Pittsburgh. Tannehill lost his job in the 2023 season to the impressive rookie, Will Levis. There were positive reports this time, as Levis had nothing but great things to say about Tannehill as a leader and mentor. Maybe Tannehill realized his career is winding down and his best chance at remaining in the league is to be a helpful backup.
Steelers Must Decide On Possible Pickett-Tannehill Combination In 2024
Judging from Peterson’s comments, the players seem to see Pickett as the incumbent starter at this stage. That would leave the now 35-year-old Tannehill as a backup. The recent change of attitude certainly makes the idea of adding Tannehill much more plausible. Adding a veteran who already knows Smith’s system could help Pickett adjust even quicker Tannehill would also come in as a talented quarterback who could bring out the best in Pickett through the motivation of competition. Parlay that with Tannehill facing similar struggles as Pickett, you have a player that can help Pickett both on and off the field. This is a make-or-break year for Pickett and the Steelers would be wise to give Pickett every resource available to look like the first-round talent that the Steelers drafted him to be.
