NFL: Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears
Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to terms with former No. 2 overall selection Mitchell Trubisky during the first day of the NFL's negotiation period on Monday. Pittsburgh is a team that has been linked to the idea of taking a quarterback in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. How does the Trubisky signing impact the team's strategy?

Trubisky is reportedly signing a two-year deal, which is not prohibitive of the team pursuing a young quarterback to groom for the future. Here are some of the paths that the Steelers could take in the 2022 NFL Draft with Trubisky in the fold:

Draft a quarterback

As noted, Ole Miss' Matt Corral, Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett, Liberty's Malik Willis, Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder or North Carolina's Sam Howell could still be on the table at No. 20 overall. Two years is a short-term commitment and it could feel a lot shorter once the guaranteed money becomes available for public consumption. If the team commits little in guaranteed money beyond the first year, then it is reasonable to think Pittsburgh's intentions may be to draft a quarterback in the first round and move on from Trubisky next off-season. 

It is not out of the realm of possibility that stability allows Trubisky to reside in that average tier of quarterbacks. He arrives in Pittsburgh having thrown 64 touchdown to 38 interceptions. He has 10,652 passing yards in addition to 1,081 rushing yards during his career. 

Fill another position of need

The addition of a quarterback does not immediately solve all of the problems that the AFC North franchise has with its current roster. Needs at cornerback and along the offensive line still exist.

  • Option A: Pittsburgh would do well to upgrade its offensive line. Trubisky -- even if he works -- is going to be a product of the talent around him. He, as well as running back Najee Harris, needs time and space to succeed. The front office took a few swings at the position last year but there are just as many questions left to be answered. Offensive tackles Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa) and Bernhard Raimann (Central Michigan) could be available. Penning would move the needle but that level of commitment for Raimann is too rich personally. As far as interior options are concerned, it comes down to two players as well: Boston College's Zion Johnson and Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum. Linderbaum represents the best value, if available, at that stage of the first round.
  • Option B: Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson departed last off-season and Joe Haden will turn 33-years-old next month. Cornerback is a big need for the Steelers. Assuming LSU's Derek Stingley Jr. and Cincinnati's Ahmad Gardner are off the board, Pittsburgh would likely turn to Washington's Trent McDuffie, Clemson's Andrew Booth Jr. or Florida's Kaiir Elam. The two latter players are better options for a team looking for more of a true lockdown man coverage cornerback because of their size, length and athleticism.

The 2022 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place between April 28-30 in Las Vegas.