What to Expect from Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterbacks after this Year

In my final article on what to expect from the Steelers AFTER this year, I am focusing on the team's most stable position (barring injury).

Ben Roethlisberger.

Big Ben Roethlisberger is the man as the starter. There is no question about that.  here is no competition for him; he is the man.

The Steelers gave Big Ben the largest contract in the history of the team last year, making him one of only a handful of players to eclipse the $100 million dollar mark in the NFL.

In his first five years, he has done what no other quarterback in the history of the league has done. Most wins by a rookie, Rookie of the Year, most wins in the first five years of his career, two Super Bowl championships.

Charlie Batch

The Pittsburgh native returned home after a less than stellar career with the Detroit Lions. Batch is loved in Pittsburgh because of his love for the team.

Batch accepted the backup role while Tommy Maddox was the starter, and stuck with the team even after it drafted Big Ben. There were rumors that the Jaguars wanted to sign Batch when he became a free agent a couple years ago, but Batch had no interest.

Batch is the first guy Ben talks to when he comes off the field, and every time out, Batch is right there with Ben and head coach Mike Tomlin.

Batch, who will turn 35 in December, is nearing the end of his career. Hopefully, when Batch does decide to hang up the helmet, he will replace it with a headset, and become the Steelers quarterback coach.

Dennis Dixon

In his second year out of Oregon, Dixon was a steal in the fifth round last year.  He was a favorite to win the Heisman his senior year, and had it not been for a torn ACL, Dixon may have been a first-round pick.

Dixon has amazing speed, and a great arm. I believe that he will be in Pittsburgh as the backup for a year or two after this year. I look for the Steelers to showcase his skills this season, with some trick plays.

I look for a Matt Schaub-type of trade in a couple of years, that will send Dixon to another team for a first-round pick. He is too good to spend his entire career riding the bench behind Big Ben.

Mike Reilly

An undrafted free agent from Central Washington State, Reilly will spend time on the practice squad over the next couple of seasons. If he progresses, he may become a backup down the road. 

I don't really expect him to get much playing time, even in the preseason.