The Pittsburgh Steelers made the postseason after amounting to 10 wins and seven losses in the regular season. However, they were dominated by the Buffalo Bills in the first round, ending their season after an improbable run. Many fans think the Steelers need to get another quarterback after starter Kenny Pickett and backup Mitch Trubisky suffered injuries, leaving Mason Rudolph as the starter for the rest of the year. Now, the team is being linked to an intriguing NFC South quarterback that they could pursue in free agency should he become available.
According to a report done by Pro Football Focus and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, Pittsburgh should pursue Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield if he becomes available to sign during the offseason. Mayfield has Tampa Bay in the divisional round of the postseason going against the Detroit Lions, surpassing all expectations put on the team at the beginning of the season.
Why The Pittsburgh Steelers Make Sense
While it seems unlikely that the Buccaneers will lose their quarterback, if he were to become up for grabs, the Steelers should be the first team to give him a call for a contract. Mayfield would be a great addition to Pittsburgh as they have had several issues at the quarterback position in 2023, and Baker could be the missing piece for their offense
Even though Mayfield has not lived up to the expectation of a number one pick in the NFL draft, he seems to be playing at a high level now that no one anticipated, just like when he brought the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs in his second and third seasons with the team. In the 2023 regular season with Tampa Bay, he amounted to 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, which is the best statistical season in his career.
While Mayfield will most likely remain with the Buccaneers in 2024, the quarterback signing with the Steelers if he becomes available would make a lot of sense. For now, he is in the middle of a playoff run in hopes of shocking the world and bringing home a Super Bowl. Do you think that Mayfield will play in Tampa Bay again next season, or will he seek to play for another quarterback-needy franchise?
