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Offseason in three or fewer words: Make quarterback plan

The only quarterback certainty in 2022 is that Ben Roethlisberger won't be the starter. The Steelers have a plethora of paths forward, but they have to choose one and build the 2022 team around it. The Steelers could hold the status quo with Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins and a camp arm, or they could sign or trade for a veteran to add to the room. Both options could get them to a stronger 2023 quarterback draft class. Or there's the option of drafting a quarterback in the first round this year. Regardless, the team has to make a plan and lay out a blueprint for the future of Steelers football. -- Brooke Pryor

The Steelers had years to identify a succession plan post-Ben Roethlisberger, but they never managed to get a handle on the situation. And so it is that Pittsburgh enters an offseason with future journeyman Mason Rudolph and first-round bust Dwayne Haskins as the only options on the roster. Moving forward with the current in-house personnel is a recipe for disaster, and a weak QB draft class compounds the challenge. The most sensible option is to be an aggressive player in the trade and free-agent market. The goal is to find a veteran who can operate as a) the long-term Big Ben replacement or b) a bridge option as the team assesses its position in the AFC. Good luck.

With Ben Roethlisberger retired, they need to find a quarterback. It's highly unlikely the starter is on the roster right now.

In case you weren't paying attention, the defense was arguably worse than the offense in 2021. So how bad it could go under -- let's say -- QB Mason Rudolph in 2022 if this curtain gets a little more steel in it?

The end of an era. Ben Roethlisberger (with a major assist from NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt) led the Steelers to the playoffs one final time before retiring at the end of the season. Roethlisberger was hardly an explosive passer in the last years of his career, but he will still be difficult to replace. The most important storyline for the Steelers as they head into this offseason is their quarterback succession plan, because it's hard to believe Mike Tomlin wants Mason Rudolph as his starter in 2022.