Will the Steelers lose out in the quarterback derby?
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, Justin Fields, Sam Darnold, and even Daniel Jones are already off the board. Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers, however, remain, and Kirk Cousins. They have an offer on the table for Rodgers, but he also has interest from other teams.
From the sounds of it, Rodgers is clear the Steelers’ preference at this point. Wilson is not sitting and waiting, however, preparing to take visits himself. The Giants are perhaps the Steelers’ primary competition for both, but other teams are interested. The Vikings could pursue Rodgers, and Wilson is meeting with the Browns.
So, what if the Giants land Rodgers, and the Browns scoop up Wilson? What if the Falcons hold Kirk Cousins for a sultan’s ransom? Would the Steelers feel obligated to pay up for him, and what would that cost? And if Cousins isn’t available at all—or costs so much that it’s not even worth entertaining—then what do they do?
It’s not very pretty, because even guys like Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham, and Jimmy Garoppolo are signed. Could the Steelers bring back Mason Rudolph, if he were willing? There is always Joe Flacco or Gardner Minshew—and Jameis Winston. Carson Wentz is another, and there are quarterbacks who could come via trade, like that random guy on the Patriots people want to believe is a diamond in the rough.
The problem is, the Steelers have no recourse to make up for a miss at quarterback during free agency. The 2025 NFL Draft is not a good one for quarterbacks. Even if Cam Ward turns out to be a solid long-term starter, they would have to give up so much to get him that they wouldn’t be able to put a team around him that could make use of his talents.
Of course, the Steelers could just take an L on the quarterback position and look to next year. They can sign a guy with “pedigree” and minimal skill like Trey Lance and sell that if they need to, I suppose. And let’s face it, few would consider landing Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson a win in 2025, as it is.
The Steelers’ 2024 season has come to its predictably inauspicious end, with yet another one-and-done postseason for HC Mike Tomlin. The offense faltered, and the defense matched it blow for blow, leading to a 21-0 first-half deficit.
Just like last year, the biggest question hanging over the Steelers is the quarterback question. Do they still believe in Russell Wilson, and/or Justin Fields, or do they want another solution? There are other major decisions to make, as well, such as what to do with George Pickens. Do you sign him to an extension, try to trade him, or let him play out his rookie contract?
The Steelers started the 2024 season 10-3, with Mike Tomlin in the Coach of the Year conversation. Wash, rinse, and repeat, and we have another late-season collapse. This may be the worst yet, a four-game losing streak presaging a one-and-done playoff “run”. Welcome to Steelers football.
