5 Quarterbacks Who Should Replace Ben Roethlisberger (& 5 Who Shouldn't)

Ben Roethlisberger hung up his jersey after 18 seasons, all with the Pittsburgh Steelers. With a staple at quarterback for so long, the Steelers fans and front office have not had to worry about the position in quite some time, but now they need to find Roethlisberger's replacement and fast.

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The Steelers have a ton of options on the table; they can find a QB through the draft and develop him, hoping to have stability at the position for the next decade like when Roethlisberger came in 2004, or they can trade for a high-profile veteran QB, hoping to make a run at the Super Bowl, or they could be looking for that bridge QB until they find the true heir to the Pittsburgh throne.

10 Shouldn't: Deshaun Watson

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Deshaun Watson is an insanely talented quarterback, but there is far too much baggage that comes with the Houston signal-caller. Watson is currently under investigation and may not be eligible to play once again this upcoming NFL season. Even if Watson can play next season, the price the Texans are going to want for him will be so high that it will be tough to justify.

With the addition the Steelers made of signing Brian Flores to their coaching staff and his relationship with Watson, this does make some sense, but this would cost the Steelers too much in draft capital and cap space.

9 Should: Kenny Pickett

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The story seemingly writes itself with this one. Kenny Pickett played his college career at Pittsburgh for the Panthers, playing at Heinz Field on Saturdays. Pickett would be a familiar face for the Steelers faithful and have the support of the fanbase immediately.

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There is some caution around Pickett due to his small hand size and his need to wear two gloves, but he has played in the Pittsburgh weather, so he has checked the boxes on if he can hold the ball in Pittsburgh. Pickett has a track record of proving all of his doubters wrong, and that fits the Steelers mentality perfectly.

8 Shouldn't: Carson Strong

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One draft prospect that should not go to Pittsburgh is Nevada's Carson Strong. Strong has an extremely (no pun intended) strong arm, but he currently has injury concerns that will likely hamper Strong, who wasn't a good runner, to begin with, to be less mobile.

There is a valid fear that Strong may not have the tools to play in this more versatile NFL that wants QBs to be able to throw and run. Strong will likely take some time with his injury and adapting to the NFL, and that is not the start the Steelers need for a QB that they will be putting pressure on to be their next franchise QB.

7 Should: Malik Willis

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It seems as though every report that comes out about the Steelers' draft process is how much they are in love with Liberty Flames Quarterback Malik Willis. Mike Tomlin has talked previously about how he'd like a mobile QB, and Willis fits that to a tee.

Willis also has the strongest arm of any QB in this class, and despite not being the most accurate thrower, he has all the tools to be the star of this draft. Pittsburgh typically isn't a team that likes to trade up in the draft, but the Steelers might love Willis so much that they secure him, and there is a new #7 in Pittsburgh.

6 Shouldn't: Dwayne Haskins

Dwayne Haskins has a ton of talent as he was a first-round draft pick by the now Washington Commanders in the 2019 NFL Draft. However, Haskins did not work out in Washington and has not found much more success in Pittsburgh.

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When Haskins signed with the Steelers, many fans thought he had a chance to be the heir to Roethlisberger, as he would have had the familiar style with the cannon of an arm and bigger frame for the Steelers, but unfortunately, Haskins has not been able to beat out Mason Rudolph for the backup spot and looks like he needs more time to sit before he is ready to take the reins of another NFL team anytime soon.

5 Should: Matt Corral

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Matt Corral has somehow flown under the radar through this draft process after being speculated to be the first QB taken for quite some time during the college football season. Corral led the Ole Miss Rebels to the Sugar Bowl against Baylor after throwing for 3,347 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions.

His fall may be due to the injury that he suffered in that Sugar Bowl loss. However, teams that are drafting QBs are drafting them for what they will be 3-5 years, not tomorrow, and Corral can move, has a rocket for an arm, and can make some jaw-dropping accurate throws. Place Corral in Pittsburgh with that coaching staff, and the results could be dangerous for the rest of the league.

4 Shouldn't: Carson Wentz

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Carson Wentz is a difficult quarterback to evaluate has he can make some incredible deep ball throws that land perfectly in the hands of the receiver, and then his decision-making can be downright inexcusable at some points. Wentz is able to move in the pocket extremely well, and with his size, there are no doubt fans would see a little of Roethlisberger if he put on the Black and Gold.

However, most of the Wentz hype is hoping he can return to his form from four seasons ago, and he is typically injured. Those factors plus the inconsistent play do not warrant the money he will earn this season, and Pittsburgh would be smart looking elsewhere.

3 Should: Russell Wilson

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There are credible reports out there saying that there is a rift between Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks. The rift has been a rumor for a while now, and with the Seahawks roster getting worse and worse as the seasons go on, it looks like Wilson and the Seahawks are headed for an inevitable divorce.

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The Steelers have the perfect opportunity to pounce on a possible trade when Wilson's trade value is much lower than what he likely could be getting next season if he returns to his MVP candidate form. The big issue would be convincing Wilson to come and fix the offensive line, but trading for one of the ten best QBs of the decade is always a smart choice.

2 Shouldn't: Mason Rudolph

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Mason Rudolph is not the answer. Rudolph probably shouldn't even be the answer for the backup job in Pittsburgh. The Rudolph believers will go to his win-loss record, which is 9-7-1. However, any fan that has watched the games Rudolph won can tell you Pittsburgh won those games in spite of Rudolph.

The former Oklahoma State QB proved as much when he played the Detroit Lions last season and tied the then winless team due to the offense not being able to generate much of anything with him under center. It is time for the Steelers to move on from Rudolph and find a real NFL quarterback.

1 Should: Aaron Rodgers

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The back-to-back MVP winner Aaron Rodgers will have a bidding war for his services if he decides to leave Green Bay. Rodgers was seen this season giving a wink to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, and it sent Steelers fans into a frenzy for what could happen.

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Rodgers would immediately put the Steelers at the top of the list for Super Bowl contenders due to them having a phenomenal defense led by the Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt. It would likely cost an arm and a leg to bring Rodgers into Pittsburgh, but the fans would embrace him and love seeing Rodgers throw up the iconic Roethlisberger salute that he has taken.