The Pittsburgh Steelers have no question marks when it comes to who their starting quarterback is heading into the 2016 season.
Ben Roethlisberger has been the starting quarterback for the Steelers for years now, and he’s not done with his football career just yet. However, the depth chart behind him is a little shaky, with the Steelers having trouble with finding a solid second – or even third – string quarterback.
Bruce Gradkowski could make the argument that he is a solid backup quarterback. However, Gradkowski’s finger injury sidelined him for the entire year last season. Gradkowski’s injury then brought in Michael Vick to the Steelers organization. Vick had to step in a couple of games last year, but then he got hurt with his own hamstring injury.
Then comes Landry Jones. The Steelers drafted Jones in fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Last year was the first time that Jones played in a regular season football game, as he had only played in preseason contests beforehand. Jones wasn’t consistent. He had games where he played really well, but when he didn’t play well, he was horrible. He finished the season with a completion percentage of 58.2 and threw for three touchdowns and four interceptions.
Now, the Steelers seem to have a glimmer of hope when it comes to finding a backup quarterback. The Los Angeles Rams released Nick Foles on Wednesday after he requested to be released from the team a day before the veterans were to report for training camp. After the Rams failed attempts to trade Foles this offseason, the team elected to just release him.
“We have been in contact with Nick and his representation throughout the offseason, and we feel that this is the best decision for all parties involved,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said in a statement. “We appreciate the contributions that Nick has made to our organization in his time as a Ram and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
While the statement is well-worded and appreciative to Foles’ efforts, there’s no hiding the fact that the Rams and Foles agreed to part ways because of the Rams’ drafting of Jared Goff in the 2016 NFL Draft.
That begs a question to if Foles would even be alright with a backup position. At this point in his NFL career, it seems like that might be what Foles will have to settle for. With the New York Jets reaching an agreement with Ryan Fitzpatrick, it’s looking like Foles might just have to be a backup.
Foles could learn a lot if he were to come to Pittsburgh. Foles would be under the supervision of Roethlisberger and Gradkowski, two veteran quarterbacks. If something were to happen to Roethlisberger or Gradkowski this upcoming season, there’s a good chance plenty of Steelers’ fans aren’t going to want to see Jones stepping up to the plate after his performance last season. Foles, who threw for seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season, might be the third string guy for the Steelers.
The Steelers should take a serious look at Foles. With training camp around the corner, inviting Foles in for a workout would seem like a reasonable option. Teams like the Jets, the Miami Dolphins, and the Minnesota Vikings, who are all having quarterback troubles, will probably be taking a look at Foles too. The Steelers should at least bring Foles in for a workout before any other team can get their hands on him.
