Steelers Rumors: Letting Josh Dobbs walk looks like a mistake

Before Josh Dobbs was a Minnesota Vikings hero, Cleveland Browns castoff or Arizona Cardinals tanking specialist, he was a Pittsburgh Steeler for several seasons. In fact, Dobbs even gave Mike Tomlin some credit after his first win with the Vikings last week. Now, Dobbs could very well turn out to be a one-season wonder, but at the very least he's earned himself a regular backup gig starting next year.

The Steelers were never going to let Dobbs start over Kenny Pickett. They also have a high-priced backup in Mitch Trubisky, but they missed something with the Tennessee product Dobbs, who at this point is already having a more productive season than Pickett. That says more about Pickett and Matt Canada than Dobbs himself, but it also suggests a lack of insight and player development from the front office and coaching side that should concern Steelers fans.

Dobbs has been everything the Vikings have asked him to be and then some. Should he continue to play at this level, they'll have a serious question to ask themselves come the offseason: Should they draft a Kirk Cousins replacement, or is Dobbs what they've been looking for?

Pittsburgh is one of many teams to miss out on Dobbs talent. The Steelers are by no means alone, but they also employed him for a substantial period of time.

Steelers rumors: Despite win, Kenny Pickett's struggles remain

Kenny Pickett has nine starts this season and just six touchdown passes. He also has six wins, which means he will continue starting as long as he doesn't turn the ball over. The progress many Steelers fans expected from Pickett this season has not been there. Should he continue playing at this subpar level, Pittsburgh's front office may have to consider taking one of the many young quarterbacks in a loaded draft class.

We have a long wait until April, of course. Pickett's arm talent could shine in the latter half of the 2023 season and put all of this talk to bed. For now, though, he seems to be struggling the most with short-to-intermediate routes. While he'll take the sideline fade route to George Pickens all day long, at some point Pickett is going to have to show he can make throws in the middle of the field.

Pickett is arguably the weakest link on the Steelers offense right now, which is hard to believe from a team which employs Matt Canada. The offensive line has played much better since Broderick Jones was inserted at right tackle. The running backs ran wild on Sunday. The wide receiving corps is full of talent.

Pickett has to play up to his ability soon, or this Steelers team won't be a tough out should they make the playoffs.

Steelers Rumors: Kwon Alexander suffers a brutal injury

Pittsburgh's defense is already shorthanded minus Minkah Fitzpatrick, who should hopefully return in the next few weeks as critical AFC North matchups against the Browns and Bengals loom. However, the season-ending injury suffered by Kwon Alexander may be just as tough to overcome in some ways.

The Steelers linebacking corps is already down Cole Holcomb. Now without Alexander for the remainder of the 2023 campaign, Pittsburgh will turn to the likes of Mark Robinson and unfamiliar faces.

The star power in Pittsburgh's 3-4 scheme are on the outside, specifically T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The secondary is strong enough thanks to Joey Porter Jr. and Fitzpatrick (when healthy). The middle linebackers rarely get as much praise, but it's obvious when something is off with that group. The Steelers require a lot of their linebackers, including covering receivers, tight ends and running backs in the flat. With Alexander and Holcomb down for the count, others must step in and not miss a beat.

That's easier said than done.