The Pittsburgh Steelers have not looked for a new quarterback to take over their offense since 2004. They have been with Ben Roethlisberger for 17 seasons! Are they finally heading back to the dark ages when they tried to find a replacement for Terry Bradshaw in 1983? They could be because they have no plans for life after Ben Roethlisberger at this point. The Steelers are about 3 years behind in finding their future quarterback. The last time that they took a quarterback in the draft was Mason Rudolph. By now the Steelers know what they have with Mason Rudolph. It isn't the future either.
It took the Steelers just about 20 years to find their quarterback of the future in Ben Roethlisberger. From 1983 through 2004 the Steelers have been through 13 quarterbacks before finding Ben Roethlisberger in the 2004 NFL draft. Cliff Stoudt, David Woodley, Mark Malone, Scott Campbell, Bubby Brister, Steve Bono, Todd Blackledge, Neil O'Donnell, Mike Tomczak, Jim Miller, Kordell Stewart, Kent Graham, and Tommy Maddox were the quarterbacks until Ben Roethlisberger took over.
Art Rooney Jr. on finding life after Terry Bradshaw: “It was like trying to replace Babe Ruth,” he said over the weekend from his winter home in Palm Beach, Fla. “Terry had it all. Size. Speed. Arm strength. Everything you want in a quarterback.”
The Steelers did have a shot at drafting Dan Marino with the 21st pick, but they decided to pass up on Marino for Gabriel Rivera. Art Rooney Jr. simply says the Steelers just overlooked quarterbacks because they were overloaded at the time. The Steelers had Bradshaw, Malone, and Stoudt. Boy did the Steelers blow that opportunity to get Marino!
Will the Steelers head back into the dark ages? Right now looking in on the Steelers the answer would be yes. All they have is Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins. Rudolph has played well, but will he bring the Steelers a Super Bowl Championship? Not a chance. That is what the Steelers organization is about... Winning Championships and not just being mediocre is what it is about.
It has been 12 years since the Steelers have won a Super Bowl and the City of Pittsburgh is getting restless. Will it take 20 years to find Ben Roethlisberger's replacement? The answer is no. If the Steelers start making moves now setting up their future with a quarterback they should be able to have one within the next 5 years. That is if they do it the right way. It times to start making moves and getting it right not only for the fans but for the Steelers Legacy.