The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of work to do when it comes to the quarterback position. The organization made a concerted effort to bring back Justin Fields on a new deal, but the quarterback chose to agree to terms on a deal with the New York Jets on Monday. This leaves the Steelers with some questions at quarterback, as the top options left to fill the role in 2025 include Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. Both quarterbacks are near the end of their career, and neither option would really move the needle for the offense or make the future seem optimistic.
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan smiles while on the field in Pittsburgh, PA.
Quarterback is arguably the most important position in sports, and the fact that the Steelers don't have a starter on the roster is concerning. The best option to win now is likely either Rodgers or Wilson, but Pittsburgh still has some other choices to explore. There are a few backups around the league that could be given the opportunity to start if the Steelers decided to trade for them, one of which being New England Patriots' Joe Milton III. NFL insider Jordan Schultz broke the news on Monday that New England is exploring trade options for the young quarterback.
Sources: The #Patriots have had discussions on trading QB Joe Milton III and would like to trade him to the right situation to continue his development in the NFL — should a deal get done.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 11, 2025
New England loves Milton, but Drake Maye is their franchise and they just signed Josh… pic.twitter.com/w6N2ivaJNE
Milton showed flashes whenever he played during the 2024 regular season, but he is behind Drake Maye on New England's depth chart. Maye is expected to be the franchise quarterback for the Patriots as he was selected with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, so Milton should be considered expendable.
NFL.com
Patriots' Joe Milton III throws the football during a home game in New England in 2024.
Milton was a sixth-round selection for the Patriots in 2024, but the organization went out and agreed to a deal with Josh Dobbs on Monday. Dobbs has been a successful backup quarterback with multiple teams in the NFL, so the move by New England gives them the chance to trade Milton if they want to.
The quarterback is 25-years old, and he had some issues with accuracy during his college career. He is a raw athlete, and brings a ton of mobility to the quarterback position. He only played in one game for the Patriots during the 2024 season, and he completed 22 of his 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 16 yards and a touchdown in the game, and got his team the win over the Buffalo Bills as they were resting the majority of their starters in the final week of the regular season.
Yahoo Sports
Patriots' Joe Milton III shakes hands with New England Owner Robert Kraft before a home game.
Steelers Should Take A Chance On Joe Milton III
Milton is by no means a sure-fire option at quarterback for Pittsburgh, and he would have to earn the opportunity to see the field. However, there is some excitement behind the quarterback and how he played at the end of the 2024 season. It would be good for the Steelers to have a young face in the quarterback room that can have the chance to go on to become the future of the franchise.
JOE MILTON, YOU ARE A PITTSBURGH STEELER! … Please??? pic.twitter.com/h2xEQzsDVE
— Kade (@WKade07) March 10, 2025
A trade to acquire Milton shouldn't be expensive, and the Steelers have plenty of draft capital to pull something like this off. He is on a cheap, rookie deal, so the financial side of the potential deal wouldn't be a factor. It should be a no-brainer to at least inquire with the Patriots about getting a deal done, and it is kind of a necessity considering the current state of the quarterback room in Pittsburgh.
Would you like to see Milton in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!
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