Steelers Free Agency 2012: Will Charlie Batch Return?

Read More: Charlie Batch (QB - PIT), Ben Roethlisberger (QB - PIT), Byron Leftwich (QB - PIT), Troy Smith (QB - PIT), Dennis Dixon (QB - PIT), Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams

Dave Bryan of Steelers Depot asks whether Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch will be back with the team next year.

The Steelers also could toy with the idea of trying to groom a late round draft pick or carry former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, who they signed to a futures contract this offseason, as the third string quarterback ... Batch also will be allowed to sit on the free agency sidelines for a while until the Steelers get their salary cap issues and training camp roster straightened out. Right now I would say that there is a good chance that Batch will be signed to a one-year qualifying contract and get a chance to win a roster spot, most likely as the third string quarterback.

That sounds about right. As Bryan notes later, it's tough to see Batch signing somewhere else, and he's certainly not going to be a high priority, so for the Steelers, there's no harm in waiting to sign him again.

Batch performed capably in a game against the Rams in late December, but his leadership probably trumps his play at this point, and the Steelers would be in trouble if they had to depend on him. Still, he'll probably be back once the Steelers sort out their quarterbacks behind Ben Roethlisberger. Fellow quarterbacks Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon are unrestricted free agents as well.