What the Steelers current quarterback depth chart is really telling us

The quarterback position for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020 has been a hot topic this offseason. Whether it be the health of Ben Roethlisberger going forward, or the Steelers investing in a viable back up, opinions differ across the spectrum. While Kevin Colbert and Art Rooney II appear to be in the minority in thinking the Steelers are in good shape, some feel the Steelers should have addressed the issue in free agency while others think the upcoming 2020 NFL draft could hold the answer.

If the Steelers do not add any more players to the quarterback room for 2020, what is it really saying? Is it that the Steelers believe in their other young quarterbacks? Is it saying they are confident in Ben Roethlisberger‘s health? After pondering this question for some time, I’ve come up with my own answer:

The Steelers believe Ben Roethlisberger is the only quarterback who can win them the Super Bowl for 2020.

Now let me explain. The Steelers’ goal is to win the Super Bowl every season. This doesn’t change. They don’t have seasons where they “rebuild “or thinking they aren’t going to be a team in the mix come January and February. It’s not the Steelers way. This is part of the reason I don’t like using the term “win now” when talking about the Steelers as I feel this phrase implies that the Steelers will not be winning at some other point. I believe the Steelers are “all in.” I also believe they are “all in” just about every season. But for 2020, I believe they are “all in” on Ben Roethlisberger.

Some noted journalists have made it clear they believe Jameis Winston was a viable option for the Steelers in free agency in 2020. While this has not come to fruition, no one can say it’s beyond the realm of possibility because Winston still remains unsigned at this time. But if the Steelers were interested, they may have already done almost everything possible to get the salary cap space and have chose to make other moves. In order for the Winston signing to even occur, he would have to come in with a salary cap number much lower than he was hoping for in order for this deal to happen.

But why didn’t it happen? Why didn’t the Steelers spend money on a different quarterback this offseason? While I have not been a proponent of adding a free agent this year because I feel the Steelers have spent enough money at the position, if they felt it would help them I understand completely if they would have pulled the trigger.

The Steelers not signing a free agent quarterback tells me they do not believe any of their reasonable options could bring them a Super Bowl victory. That’s the bottom line.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t feel anyone else other than Ben Roethlisberger on the Steelers’ roster could win the Super Bowl at quarterback for the Steelers in 2020. And there’s no argument from me that a player like Jamison Winston wouldn’t be an upgrade. But is simply having an upgrade the goal, or is it to win the Super Bowl? What would be money better spent for the Steelers, upgrading the back-up quarterback position even though the Steelers don’t feel they can lead them to the promised land, or investing in additional pieces to help their current quarterback win a championship?

Even if the Steelers address the quarterback position in the draft, do you think whoever they would take is someone they believe would win the Super Bowl for them in 2020 should Ben Roethlisberger go down to injury yet again? I don’t think that would be their mentality. I think the Steelers put all their eggs for 2020 and winning the Super Bowl in Ben Roethlisberger‘s basket.

With all the restructures and everything the Steelers have done, it is obvious they are focused on 2020. I have no problem with that. I also have a feeling that in 2021 the Steelers are going to make moves in order to be focused on that season as well. It’s how they operate. But for 2020, the moves the Steelers have made, as well as the moves they have not made, give every indication that they are ready to live and die on the ability of Ben Roethlisberger. Whether or not it is the right decision is something Steelers’ fans will have to wait to play out through the 2020 season.