The NFL on Thursday officially announced a three-game suspension for Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, meaning the Steelers will face a backup when they travel to play the Buccaneers in Tampa in September.
The Steelers played four backup quarterbacks last season and won all four of those games. They dodged Sam Bradford, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson and won against their backups — Case Keenum (Vikings), Jacoby Brissett (Colts), Brett Hundley (Packers) and T.J. Yates (Texans).
Of course, playing against backup quarterbacks isn’t always a sure thing for the Steelers, especially against the Buccaneers. In 2014, they managed to allow backup Mike Glennon to drive down the field for a winning touchdown in the final minute of a game at Heinz Field. Glennon beat the Steelers again last fall when he was the starting quarterback for the Bears early in the season before giving way to rookie first-round pick Mitch Trubisky.
At least the Steelers won’t have to contend with Glennon this time around. The Steelers are likely to face journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is 0-5 all-time against the Steelers.
The Steelers open the season in Cleveland and play Kansas City in Week 2 before going to Tampa for the Sept. 24 Monday night game against the Winston-less Buccaneers.
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Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: June 28, 2018, 7:43 p.m.
