2021 NFL Draft: Steelers turn the page at quarterback in first-round mock draft

Back in 2004, the NFL saw some of the best young quarterbacks all enter the draft. At No. 1 overall, the San Diego Chargers took Eli Manning but then traded him to the New York Giants for Philip Rivers — who they had just taken at No. 4. Then with the 11th pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ben Roethlisberger, out of Miami (Ohio).

All three went on to have incredible success in the NFL, with both Manning and Roethlisberger winning two Super Bowls. Heading into 2020, two of the three are making a big transition. Manning has decided to call it a career and move onto the next chapter in his life after losing his job to Daniel Jones and Rivers headed to Indianapolis after the Chargers decided not to re-sign him.

This leaves Big Ben as the only remaining member of that historic class to be with the team that he played for back in 2004. However, there are starting to be some questions in regards to how long he can hold that job down.

Roethlisberger is coming off elbow surgery which caused him to miss all but two games in 2019. He was 0-2 in those starts and has a mark of just 2-6 in his past eight starts. Of course, we all know how great he can be when he’s healthy but at 38, there’s a chance his best health could be behind him.

Knowing this, Pittsburgh makes a huge change as they decide to go with Trey Lance out of North Dakota State to be the next franchise quarterback in the Steel City. Sure, Mason Rudolph had some good moments in relief of Big Ben last season but he doesn’t have near the ceiling Lance does. He’s dangerous with both his arm and legs and as long as he declares early, someone will jump on him in the opening round.