Last year at this time, the narrative for many in the media was that the Steelers needed an "upgrade at quarterback" behind Ben Roethlisberger.
Of course, their idea of an upgrade was the likes of Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston, Chase Daniel or someone of that ilk.
After all, Mason Rudolph couldn't possibly get any better in his third season in the NFL, right? They wanted anyone but Rudolph. They didn't care who it was. That guy had to be better.
Thing is, we saw Rudolph at the end of the 2020 season step in and play in place of Roethlisberger in the regular season finale. And the results were pretty solid: 315 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a narrow loss to the Browns while playing with a makeshift lineup.
Now, the narrative has changed dramatically. Now, instead of needing to add a veteran backup, the Steelers need to draft their "quarterback of the future" this year, despite the fact Roethlisberger is now back for another season.
I get it. Roethlisberger is 39. The 2021 season will likely be his last. But what if it isn't?
What if Roethlisberger plays really well this season -- he did, after all throw 33 touchdown passes last season, the second-most of his career -- decides his reconstructed elbow feels better than ever and wants to run it back again?
Would the Steelers move on? After all, they don't have any quarterbacks on the roster under contract for 2022.
That's where the pundits are adding two and two together and getting four.
There are five quarterbacks in this year's draft who will get first-round consideration. Last year, there were four taken in the first round. The year before that, three. And five in 2018. That's 17 first-round quarterbacks since 2018.
And the Steelers actually signed one of those, Dwayne Haskins, after he was released by Washington. Haskins was the 15th pick in the draft in 2019. He has talent. He just needed a change of scenery in the worst way. And maybe a kick in the pants.
See, there's the thing. Rudolph, a former third-round pick, and Haskins are, in fact, young quarterbacks. Now, maybe one isn't the quarterback of the future. But maybe they are.
Taking another quarterback this year, especially if you're doing so beyond one of those top five prospects, would be a waste of time. That young quarterback is going to need to take the majority of the snaps in OTAs, mini-camp and training camp. He's going to need to play a lot in the preseason.
Would that be possible and still allow the Steelers to assess Rudolph and, perhaps more importantly, Haskins? Nope.
This isn't the year for the Steelers to take a flier on a mid-round quarterback. They already have that guy in Haskins. Why add another mid-round prospect such as Kyle Trask or Kellen Mond to the equation and waste a year of cheap quarterback play?
And if he doesn't work out, they can go get their quarterback next year instead.
YOUR TURN: Should the Steelers draft a quarterback this year?