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Sunday news broke the Pittsburgh Steelers were planning on signing Bruce Gradkowski to a one-year contract for his services as a backup quarterback in 2016. Today, they made the move official.
The @Steelers solidify their depth chart at QB by signing Bruce Gradkowski to a 1-yr deal. He worked out for the team last week.
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) May 2, 2016
The move makes a ton of sense, especially with the team not drafting a quarterback in the 2016 NFL Draft. Many showed disgust with the move for Gradkowski returning, but options at the Steelers disposal were limited. After Ben Roethlisberger, the only quarterback under contract heading into 2016 was Landry Jones. When the Steelers didn't draft a quarterback, having their depth chart read Roethlisberger, Jones and some undrafted free agent would not be a recipe for success for the Steelers.
Gradkowski knows the system and is capable of keeping the team afloat for a few weeks if Roethlisberger is injured. The battle for the No. 2 quarterback spot on the team's depth chart will officially be underway when the offseason workouts begin soon.
As for Gradkowski, he is just happy to be back with the Steelers for another shot at a Super Bowl.
"It's great to be back," Gradkowski told Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. "I have been here the last three years, I see what we have going on. We are so close. We have the talent. It's exciting. You feel it in the air. This is where I wanted to be. I didn't want to be anywhere else. I just want to win a Super Bowl. I am excited to be back. There are a lot of good guys in the locker room, a great team. You want to stay around that. Anything I can do to help, I will do."