Pittsburgh is still anticipated to be a strong contender.

Many anticipate that in the 2024 summer, the Pittsburgh Steelers will take a close look at a seasoned quarterback. Despite apparent internal dissension over former first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the team is really not interested in signing a signal-caller who expects to be the starter.

As Gerry Dulac puts it, “That would include Justin Fields and Kirk Cousins, and probably even Russell Wilson, who has a connection with the Steelers,” he is downplaying the likelihood of any elite quarterback choosing Pittsburgh. “They are committed to giving Pickett a third season to see if he is the guy to do more than just win a playoff game.”

Dulac says there is a part of the Steelers organization that feels backup Mason Rudolph “should be the starter after the way he finished,” leading the team to three straight wins en route to the playoffs. As for Pickett, he ended 2023 on the bench after Rudolph earned a postseason start.

According to Dulac, the team’s first objective for the offseason is to re-sign Rudolph. Though he is “not opposed to returning to the Steelers,” the upcoming free agent is also anticipated to consider other offers should the bargaining window, which opens on March 11, expire without an agreement.

All of this is not to suggest that the Steelers won’t bring in another quarterback competition this offseason. Despite an injury-plagued 2023 season, head coach Mike Tomlin has supported Pickett’s improvement. However, he also informed reporters following the season that he expected a number of players to compete for QB plays in 2024. Perhaps it will be another draft selection or a mid-tier experienced free agent, like former Tennessee Titans starter Ryan Tannehill, if it’s not Rudolph or a household name like Cousins.