Steelers Named In Suprising Link To Former First Rounder To Serve As QB2: "Why Not Take A Shot"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are once again shopping for a quarterback. Despite bringing in two veterans for 2024 to be the potential starter (Russell Wilson and Justin Fields), they were both in Pittsburgh on only one-year contracts. Steelers Owner and Team President Art Rooney II said the organization hopes to retain at least one for 2025, but they recognize that keeping both is unlikely. This isn't as easy as just picking one; they are both free agents, and other teams may attempt to court them.   

When the Steelers were 10-3 during the season, it felt like Wilson was the obvious choice. Head Coach Mike Tomlin had been open about his trust and respect for Wilson. He even sat Fields, who had an admirable 4-2 start to the season, in favor of the former Super Bowl winner. Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show recently joined the 93.7 The Fan Morning Show. He told the hosts he thinks the team would prefer Fields, but preference isn't a guarantee. Fields might want to shop himself around. 

Kaboly said he thinks Wilson might be more amenable to signing a contract in Pittsburgh. He isn't the first, as many insiders believe that Wilson would rather stay in the Steel City than try to start over again somewhere new. Even Wilson has proclaimed his love for the black and gold, stating his plan was always to stay here.

The topic of potential quarterbacks naturally brings up what other possibilities exist. Could there be other players out there who are free agents or possible trades that have the potential to lead the Steelers in 2025? 

A few names have come up early this offseason: Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, and Daniel Jones. Jones, the sixth overall pick in 2019, had been languishing with the New York Giants.  

"I mean why not take a shot," asked Kaboly. "If he's your backup. Right? He's a first-rounder; the guys got some wheels. Maybe he's in a bad situation. I wouldn't want him as my starter."

Jones was never able to find solid footing in New York. He displayed talent, but was inconsistent, plus playing for a mediocre organization. In 2022, the Giants declined his fifth-year option, but he helped the team win their first playoff game since 2016. That led to the franchise offering him a whopping four-year $160 million contract. In his first game under that new contract, Jones was pressured 23 times and took seven sacks in their 40-0 loss. Later that season, Jones suffered a neck injury and then a torn ACL.  

The Giants chose to first bench and then release Jones after he won only three of his 16 starts, throwing 10 touchdowns, but 13 interceptions. Late in November, the Minnesota Vikings picked up Jones. Like the Steelers, they have an interesting decision to make. Their starting quarterback, Sam Darnold, is expected to command a much larger contract of about $120 million. They also have JJ McCarthy and Jones on their roster. They are not likely to keep all three, but McCarthy isn't believed to be fully ready after missing his rookie season due to injury. 

The Steelers Might Be Thinking Of A Backup

Some insiders think Fields or Wilson might return to Pittsburgh as a backup and not a starter. Mike Florio even suggested that they might be the team that picks up Darnold. If that happens, the returning quarterback could end up as the number two. 

This would raise an interesting problem for Fields, who likely wants a starting job. Fields has not made the money that Wilson has, and he wants to reach that level. 

What do you think the Steelers will do at quarterback for 2025? Comment below!

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