The Steelers are trying to sign veteran quarterback Scott Mitchell, who could replace Kent Graham as a backup.
Mitchell, who started seven games for the Cincinnati Bengals last season and won three of them, visited the Steelers today at their facility. He took a physical and had meetings with Coach Bill Cowher and Kevin Colbert, their director of football operations.
Cowher said on Monday that the team might sign a veteran free agent rather than a rookie quarterback.
"Bill made it clear that he'd just as soon have another veteran as opposed to a free agent rookie or draft pick," Colbert said. "Scott fits that criteria. He's played in the league, been successful and been a playoff quarterback."
The Steelers have discussed other veteran free agent quarterbacks, but decided only to invite Mitchell for a visit.
"He's the best choice at this time," Colbert said. "We investigated more than Scott and he's the most interesting at this point."
Tony Agnone, Mitchell's agent, said he will wait until after he talks with Mitchell Wednesday night or Thursday to begin negotiations with the team. The Bengals gave Jon Kitna a $4 million signing bonus as a free agent this year to compete with Akili Smith for their starting job, yet still would like to have Mitchell back. Washington also is interested in the 11-year veteran, who has played for four different NFL teams since Miami drafted him in 1990.
The plan would be for Mitchell, 33, to join Graham, Kordell Stewart and Tee Martin in training camp in Latrobe. Stewart is the clear No. 1 and Martin will push for the backup job. Whether Martin wins that job or not, there appears to be room for only one veteran backup, Mitchell or Graham.
Graham, who signed as an unrestricted free agent last year, had rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder at the end of January. He is not supposed to throw again until next month. He is scheduled to earn $1.4 million in salary next season. The Steelers hope to sign the 6-6, 235-pound Mitchell to a contract that would include a small signing bonus and a salary less than Graham's.
Coincidentally, Graham was Mitchell's backup with the Detroit Lions in 1995.
Mitchell took over for Akili Smith in Cincinnati last season. The Bengals won only four games and three of them came with Mitchell as their starter and the fourth came with him in a prominent relief role.
He completed 89 of 187 passes for three touchdowns and eight interceptions with a passer rating of 50.8. Mitchell's career won-loss record as a starter is 93-70, 4-2 in the playoffs. He played four seasons with Miami, five with Detroit and one each with Baltimore and Cincinnati.
His best season occurred in 1995 with Detroit when he had a 92.3 passer rating in 16 starts and led the Lions to a 1-1 playoff record.
Steelers want to sign Scott Mitchell as backup QB 
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