Free agent QB Byron Leftwich has hinted around recently that he is open to signing with the Steelers to be Ben Roethlisberger's backup. The holdup is that 29 year old Byron Leftwich feels that he could still be starting in the NFL. I tend to agree.
Some people tend to forget that Leftwich was drafted 7th overall in the 2003 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was run out of Jacksonville shortly after his backup, David Garrard, started showing signs of being a very similar QB to Leftwich. Garrard, however, had a much smaller contract and it made sense financially for Jacksonville.
A season later, Leftwich battled the injury bug in Atlanta and things never seemed to be a very good fit for him. Another season later, Leftwich was left auditioning for a job and was out of football until he signed with Pittsburgh last season.
Signing with Pittsburgh seemed to be the best case scenario for Leftwich. Not only did he show that he can still play football at a high level, but he had the opportunity to be a part of the Super Bowl winning team. Now, there will undoubtedly be interest by teams seeking their starting QB for the 2009 season. The Jets, Bears, and Vikings are all looking for their bona fide starting QB. The problem is that those teams have a history of having a short fuse with their starting QB's. Leftwich could find himself being a backup somewhere else if he posts a few lackluster performances.
Leftwich needs to decide if he would rather stay in Pittsburgh, with a team that he loves, or roll the dice somewhere else hoping to have a shot at starting again in the NFL. He will willing to test the free agent market as of Friday.
Side note: The Steelers have reached out to 34 year old free agent QB, Charlie Batch, and informed him that they are interested in bringing him back for another season. But, I'm sure that would quickly change if Leftwich decides he would rather stay in Pittsburgh.
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