Blinksportsnews247It’s difficult to locate a quarterback in free agency that the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t been in contact with this offseason. Pro Football Talk’s Peter King identified Jimmy Garoppolo, a signal caller who will miss the start of the regular season due to a PED ban, as a possible target for the Steelers on February 19.
“Which team, aware that he will miss the first two games, will risk starting him when he is out this offseason? Pittsburgh, perhaps? King penned.
Garoppolo missed the first half of the 2023 season due to a back injury and concussion. However, after Week 8, the Raiders benched Garoppolo because of his subpar play when healthy.
On February 16, ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that Garoppolo has been suspended by the NFL for using performance-enhancing drugs in violation of the league’s policy. Garoppolo utilized “a prescribed medication without having a valid therapeutic use exemption from the league,” according to Schefter’s article.
The Raiders are anticipated to cut Garoppolo this offseason, according to Schefter.
Steelers and Raiders quarterback connected Jimmy Garoppolo
Despite injury worries, Garoppolo was a huge free agent signing for the Raiders just a year ago. A Lisfranc foot ailment forced him to the injured reserve at the end of the 2022 campaign.
Owing to that injury, the Raiders inserted a waiver that stated he wouldn’t be paid unless he cleared a physical examination into his three-year, $72 million contract.
After passing his physical, Garoppolo started six of the first eight games for the team. Nevertheless, he had trouble, averaging a career-low 7.1 yards per try. He also has seven touchdowns against nine interceptions.
By releasing Garoppolo prior to the fifth day of the upcoming NFL season, the Raiders will be able to avoid having to pay him a $11.25 million roster bonus. His suspension may also result in the loss of his base pay.
Garoppolo might become a cheap commodity in free agency as a result of the suspension. However, by signing Garoppolo, the Steelers would be signing a quarterback who would not be available for the season’s opening two weeks.
Or, following his ban, they may sign him. That is, of course, throughout the season.
The Steelers have no interest in signing a quarterback to start in 2024, according to a story published on February 17 by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In an ideal scenario, Mason Rudolph will be re-signed by the team to face Kenny Pickett.
There are many choices available to the Steelers besides Garoppolo in case they are unable to re-sign Rudolph.
Steelers “Not Interested” in Signing Starting QB, Peter King Rip
King proposed that the Steelers sign Garoppolo, who would make his debut in 2024, knowing full well about Dulac’s report.
Following his recommendation, King blasted the Steelers for what he perceived to be their behind-the-scenes scheme.
“Are you coming again?” King responded to Dulac’s report in a letter. “Should Mason Rudolph join with Pittsburgh in free agency, would the Steelers really choose to go into camp with him and Kenny Pickett in a division that already has Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Deshaun Watson)? That seems like a grave error in judgment on your quarterback position.
Regarding Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins, or Russell Wilson, other NFL experts will probably feel the same way if the Steelers don’t make a major splash.
The Seattle Seahawks faced harsh criticism two years ago when they started the season with quarterbacks Drew Lock and Geno Smith. However, Smith dispelled the skeptics and guided the Seahawks to the postseason.
Similar to Smith, Rudolph also seemed poised to play backup quarterback until December 2023. However, he could be able to establish himself as a reliable starter, as Smith has the previous two years.
Naturally, Rudolph must be signed by the Steelers first.
Furthermore, it wouldn’t be remarkable if, in his third season, Pickett significantly improved under a more capable play caller.
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