Steelers Still Search For QB

by Bo Marchionte
Published March 12, 2025, 05:31 PM

Life After Ben: The Steelers’ Struggles in a Post-Roethlisberger Era

The Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, find themselves in an almost unthinkable position. Over an hour into free agency, and they still don’t have a starting quarterback.

Not a long-term answer. Not a stopgap veteran.

Nothing.

For a franchise that prides itself on stability, this level of uncertainty at the most critical position is absurd. It’s not just that they don’t have a quarterback, it’s that they’ve had months to prepare for this moment and still arrive at Day 1 of free agency with no solution in place.

This isn’t a team in full rebuild mode. This is a team with a top-tier defense, a respected head coach in Mike Tomlin, and an offensive unit that while flawed, has enough talent to compete if led by the right quarterback. Yet, here they are, sitting on the sidelines while other teams make moves.

The Steelers haven’t been in this kind of quarterback purgatory since the post-Bradshaw years, a stretch that lasted two decades before they found Roethlisberger. Since his retirement, they’ve patched together short-term solutions, but none have panned out. Now, it’s clear they need a real answer, yet free agency has officially opened, and Pittsburgh is watching from the outside looking in.

The clock is ticking, and every moment wasted only deepens the sense of frustration. For a team that refuses to have losing seasons, failing to secure a quarterback quickly could push them dangerously close to one. The Steelers aren’t just playing with fire they’re letting it burn unattended.

For nearly two decades, the Pittsburgh Steelers never had to question the most important position on the field. From 2004 to 2021, Ben Roethlisberger was the answer at quarterback, providing stability, leadership, and a Hall of Fame-caliber presence that made Pittsburgh perennial contenders. But since his retirement following the 2021 season, the Steelers have been in a seemingly endless search for his successor, and the results have been anything but reassuring.

Pittsburgh has cycled through a mix of veterans, stopgaps, and young hopefuls, yet none have seized control of the position. The Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, hoping he could be the next franchise leader. But inconsistent play, injuries, and questionable offensive schemes prevented him from solidifying his role. Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph both had opportunities but never provided a long-term solution.

Offensive play-calling hasn’t helped either. Matt Canada’s tenure as offensive coordinator was marked by underwhelming production, predictable play designs, and an inability to scheme players into advantageous positions. The result? An offense that struggled to score, relied heavily on defense, and often looked outmatched against elite teams.

Tomlin’s remarkable streak of never having a losing season has masked some of the deeper problems plaguing the Steelers. While they have remained competitive, the franchise has fallen into a cycle of mediocrity, good enough to stay relevant but never truly contending for championships. The defense, year after year, has kept Pittsburgh afloat, but without a franchise quarterback, the team has lacked the firepower to make deep playoff runs.

The Steelers have been here before. After Terry Bradshaw retired in 1983, the team spent two decades cycling through quarterbacks. Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Neil O’Donnell, Kordell Stewart, and Tommy Maddox, before finally landing Roethlisberger in 2004. It’s easy to take franchise quarterbacks for granted, but history shows that finding one is anything but easy.

Now, as the Steelers enter another offseason without a clear answer at quarterback, they face the same question that haunted them before Roethlisberger arrived.

How long will it take to find their next true franchise leader?

The search continues, and until it’s resolved, Pittsburgh will remain in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position without a quarterback who can elevate them back to Super Bowl contention.

For that to happen, they first need a quarterback.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com