The Pittsburgh Steelers are once again at a crossroads in their quarterback saga, navigating the complexities of finding a long-term solution under center. This marks the third time in four seasons that the team is without a definitive starting quarterback since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. With several potential paths before them, the Steelers must decide whether to pursue established talents like Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, or to gamble on emerging prospects in the upcoming draft.
Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, both currently not under contract for the 2025 season, present intriguing options for the Steelers. The team's recent history with quarterbacks has been tumultuous, signing Mitchell Trubisky to a two-year, $14 million deal before drafting Kenny Pickett. The eventual trade of Pickett to the Eagles following Wilson's signing underscored the instability in the Steelers' quarterback room.
Wilson's tenure with the Steelers was marred by a lack of wide receiver depth, particularly evident when George Pickens missed two of Wilson's final five losses. Dan Moore Jr.'s struggles at left tackle, surrendering a league-worst 16.5 sacks, further compounded the team's offensive challenges.
In light of these issues, the Steelers may consider Ole Miss standout Jaxson Dart as an alternative to Fields. Additionally, Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka could bolster their receiving corps if selected in the first round of the draft. The team might also explore free agency for slightly more affordable options like Darius Slayton or Stefon Diggs to enhance their offensive lineup.
The thin quarterback draft class poses another challenge for the Steelers as they seek to fill their bare quarterback room, currently consisting only of Allen and an unnamed rookie. General Manager Omar Khan has expressed interest in transitioning Jones to left tackle, potentially addressing one of their critical weaknesses.
Art Rooney II, reflecting on Kenny Pickett's tenure with the team, remarked:
"Obviously, it's disappointing that Kenny didn't work out to be our long-term quarterback here, and I'm not sure there's a lot to be learned from that," – Art Rooney II
Despite Pickett's departure, Rooney acknowledged his professional growth and mindset:
"He handled the situation, I think, as a young quarterback who wants to come in and learn and grow, and I think he did grow and I think he does have that mindset that he wants to get better," – Art Rooney II
Head Coach Mike Tomlin also praised Pickett's management of his professional circumstances:
"I thought that the way that he managed his professional circumstance was really impressive," – Mike Tomlin
However, Rooney noted the competitive nature between Wilson and Fields as potential starters:
"I think both of them see themselves as starters, and I don't know that they want to share the same job again next year," – Art Rooney II
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