With a new season coming up, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a big decision to make. The team has a lot of talent at the quarterback position, but they can’t keep them all. Between Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, and Joshua Dobbs, who should be Pittsburgh Steelers Backup Quarterback?
Why the Steelers Need a Backup Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger turns 36 in March. His best seasons are behind him, and it looks like his body is starting to break down. It’s not unusual for a 37-year-old quarterback to have a drop-off, but with the Steelers recent struggles, they really can’t afford another year like last.
If the Steelers can’t keep Big Ben upright, the offense will have a hard time moving the ball. In the fourth quarter of the wild card round against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Roethlisberger threw three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. They were two of his four turnovers in the game.
Jones hasn’t been given many starts, but he’s come in and done well for Pittsburgh when given the chance.
See more: Pittsburgh Steelers 3d Hoodies
What Makes a Good Backup Quarterback?
When a team selects a backup quarterback, they are almost hoping to get to have the former starter get injured or get suspended. The only way this doesn’t happen is if you have a young quarterback that is developing at the same time. However, there’s always a chance that your backup could step up and help out the team.
Roethlisberger has only played in 15 games over the last two seasons. With a back injury and a concussion, those are two seasons where he was on the sidelines a lot. Jones, the man who will be starting in place of Roethlisberger at the start of the season, has been there with him and knows what it’s like to play on a bad team.
Why Ben Roethlisberger Should Retire
Heading into the 2018 season, Jones will be the backup behind Roethlisberger.
The Pros and Cons of Jones as the Steelers Backup Quarterback
If you go by the numbers, Landry Jones is the best of the three.
According to CBS Sports, he has a 60 percent completion percentage in his career, along with 1,573 yards and eight touchdowns.
Josh Dobbs, meanwhile, is a good player, but he’s not going to challenge Ben Roethlisberger for the starting job.
Those numbers don’t tell the whole story though, as Jones is a better player than Dobbs. Dobbs would struggle if he had to start for a team like the Steelers.
The Steelers as a team could not win games without Big Ben. He took them to two Super Bowls, while they didn’t win a single game without him.
That’s the truth.
Jones will get the same treatment as Big Ben, which is a big reason the Steelers should keep him on the team.
See more: Pittsburgh Steeler sneakers
What’s Next for Jones?
The Steelers are in an odd spot. The team has one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Roethlisberger and they have the type of signal-caller that the team desperately needs with the plethora of talent they have. However, the team is going to have to decide what the most important asset to the team is, so will they bring him back for another year, extend him? Is there a way for him to be cut and give the team some cap space?
Even if it is Roethlisberger, it’s not like the team doesn’t have other assets. The team drafted Joshua Dobbs in the fourth-round, and he will get a chance to compete for the backup role. Dobbs showed a lot of promise in college, and he could very well end up with the Steelers as a backup quarterback.
Conclusion
This is an extremely tough call to make, but it really comes down to Roethlisberger’s future. He has expressed his desire to return next season and likely won’t retire anytime soon. If he can play and stay healthy, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll be around. The only potential issue for him is keeping his family happy.
See more: Pittsburgh Steelers Bedding Sets: The Best Way To Show Your Steeler Pride
On the flip side, Jones has played well in his limited playing time. He’s struggled at times, but he still keeps the offense moving. Even if he’s not the starter next season, he’ll likely be the No. 2 and the team will feel comfortable enough to hand him the reins in the future. He has a big arm and he can throw it down the field.
Dobbs is the wildcard in the situation. He has talent and could potentially play in the NFL.