NFL Rumors: Steelers, Saints, Titans Among Teams Most Linked to 1st-Round QBs

As Round 1 of the 2022 NFL draft inches closer Thursday, we continue to learn about the teams potentially interested in selecting a quarterback in the first round despite no signal-caller being the clear No. 1 in this year's class.  

The Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans are among the teams "most often linked as potential quarterback teams" in the first round, according to Peter Schrager of Fox Sports. The Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions are also in that category.

Schrager's report comes as little surprise as each of these teams has been in the market for a quarterback this offseason. 

The Steelers signed Mitch Trubisky to a two-year, $14 million deal in March after he spent the 2021 season backing up Buffalo Bills starting quarterback Josh Allen. Pittsburgh also has Mason Rudolph, and the two could compete for the QB1 role. 

However, it's not likely the Steelers believe either could replace Ben Roethlisberger, who announced his retirement after the 2021 season, as their franchise quarterback.

The Chicago Bears selected Trubisky second overall in 2017, and despite going 29-21 as a starter, he was inconsistent in his four seasons with the franchise, completing 64 percent of his passes for 10,609 yards and 64 touchdowns against 37 interceptions in 51 games. That resulted in the Bears not picking up his fifth-year option.

In just six appearances with the Bills in 2021, he completed six of eight passes for 43 yards and an interception. He also rushed for 24 yards and a score. 

As for Rudolph, he has spent his entire three-year career in Pittsburgh after being selected in the third round of the 2018 draft. In 17 appearances, the 26-year-old completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 2,366 yards and 16 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.

The Saints are in a similar situation after Drew Brees announced his retirement following the 2020 campaign. New Orleans signed Jameis Winston to take over as QB 1 for 2021, but he suffered a torn ACL in Week 8, and that left the franchise scrambling for a solution.

With Winston sidelined, the Saints tried out Ian Book, Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian under center. None of the quarterbacks were particularly impressive, and the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 after finishing 9-8.

That said, the Saints re-signed Winston this offseason, and all signs point to his being the starter in 2022. However, he might not be the best player to lead the offense long term.

Meanwhile, the Titans already have a solid starting quarterback in Ryan Tannehill. However, he will become an unrestricted free agent in 2024, and if the Titans want to groom a quarterback under him, the best option would be to select a one this year so the player can learn under the veteran for a year.

The Panthers and Lions have similar situations. Carolina isn't necessarily confident in Sam Darnold as its starting quarterback, and Detroit is in the same boat with Jared Goff after trading Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams before the 2021 season.

Here's where each team will pick in the first round:

• Detroit Lions: Picks 2 and 32
• Carolina Panthers: Pick 6
• New Orleans Saints: Picks 16 and 19
• Pittsburgh Steelers: Pick 20
• Tennessee Titans: Pick 26

Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder, Matt Corral, Sam Howell and Carson Strong are among the top quarterbacks available in this year's draft. However, not all are projected to be picked in Round 1.