Steelers Expected to Pursue QB Ryan Tannehill in Free Agency, Insiders Say

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, worked with him for two seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation heading into the 2024 season could become even more complicated, as the team is expected to look into signing Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill this offseason, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported Sunday.

Tannehill has been linked to Pittsburgh by some observers based on his relationship with the Steelers’ new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, who worked with the QB as the Titans’ OC during the 2019 and ’20 seasons.

Tannehill is a free agent this offseason after spending five seasons with the Titans. He started eight games last season, suffered an ankle injury and ultimately was replaced by rookie Will Levis as the starter.

The Steelers enter the 2024 season with Kenny Pickett as the incumbent starter, coach Mike Tomlin said a few weeks ago. But Tomlin and owner Art Rooney II both implied that there would be a quarterback competition in training camp. Such a competition would seem to include backup Mitchell Trubisky, who signed a two-year extension before the 2023 season, and Mason Rudolph, who led the Steelers to three wins to cap the ’23 regular season.

Rudolph is also a free agent, though, making his future status with the Steelers unclear. NFL free agency begins on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET.