Steelers GM watching QB draft class, didn't want to trade picks for veteran

Despite having question marks at quarterback, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't pursue one of the many star passers on the trade block this offseason.

General manager Kevin Colbert explained Sunday that Pittsburgh didn't want to lose draft capital in exchange for a veteran quarterback, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

The Steelers instead signed Mitchell Trubisky to a two-year deal in free agency. Trubisky backed up Josh Allen on the Buffalo Bills in 2021 after going 29-21 as a starter with the Chicago Bears from 2017-20.

Pittsburgh, which also has Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins on its depth chart, is now looking deeply into this year's quarterback draft class.

"We've been at top quarterback pro days for the first time in a long time because we may be in a position where we have (a need)," Colbert added. "Does that mean we're taking one? Possibly."

Pittsburgh owns the 20th overall pick this year. However, some personnel around the league believe the team would consider moving up if its top quarterback option falls past No. 9, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.

"We have had a high level of urgency for several years in terms of evaluating the (quarterback) position," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Sunday, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. "I know I have, and that led us up to be definitive in terms of the things of the value."

The Steelers are looking for a new starting signal-caller after Ben Roethlisberger retired following 18 seasons with the team.

Pittsburgh announced in January that Colbert will step down after the draft, which will take place April 28-30 in Las Vegas.

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