Going into free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to find a starting quarterback. After the initial wave of players agreed to terms, the Steelers still don’t have a quarterback. Sam Darnold and Justin Fields both took their talents elsewhere. That leaves players like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson as some of the best options left. However, former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew believes Jameis Winston would be a good fit for the Steelers.
“I could almost see Jameis Winston going to Pittsburgh,” Jones-Drew said Monday on NFL Network. “Jameis is a guy that’ll throw the ball down the field, which we know that that’s what Arthur Smith wants to do. Think about it.
“The offense isn’t gonna change much schematically because they wanna run the football and take shots down the field. So, you have two guys, two vertical threats on the outside that can make things go. And you need a quarterback that’s willing to stand in the pocket and make some throws down the field.”
Of the players left available, Winston might not be the worst option for the Steelers. He hasn’t lived up to his status as the first pick in the 2015 draft. The last few years have been rocky for him, too, as he has only started 17 games since 2020. However, all the quarterbacks left in free agency are flawed.
There are some things to like about Winston. Jones-Drew is correct that he’s willing to stand in the pocket and launch the ball down the field. That often hurts him just as much as it helps, though. Winston is no stranger to throwing interceptions. Turnovers are one of his greatest weaknesses. Last year, he threw 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. That might scare the Steelers off.
However, Winston has said he’d love to play for the Steelers. It’s clear there’s interest from his side. They got to see him at his best last year, too. Winston led the Cleveland Browns to a stunning victory over Pittsburgh in Week 12. He played well in that matchup, throwing for 219 yards and rushing for one touchdown.
While Rodgers might be the best quarterback available, Winston would likely bring less baggage. He could be cheaper as well. At 31 years old, Winston is a more youthful option. He’s still got decent mobility. Mike Tomlin mentioned that he values that in a quarterback.
Winston being the Steelers’ starting quarterback isn’t ideal, but it might be what they’re left with. If Rodgers and Wilson sign elsewhere, the Steelers could be hard-pressed to find a quality starter under center. They’re between a rock and a hard place, and Winston might be the best way out.
