The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback plans for the 2025 NFL Draft have been a major talking point. All eyes are on the Steelers' new-look offense after a blockbuster trade sent star wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Steel City. Their offense becomes lethal almost overnight, with George Pickens and Metcalf forming one of the most dangerous receiver duos in the league.
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New Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf looks on during his time with the Seattle Seahawks.
The issue is that Pittsburgh still doesn’t have a clear starting quarterback for the 2025 season. At this point, it appears to be a battle between Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or Mason Rudolph. While Rudolph returned after a year with the Tennessee Titans, few believe he’s a true starter. The Steelers have made big moves to upgrade the offense, but their quarterback situation remains murky. Rodgers and Wilson are currently free agents. Both bring experience but are not long-term solutions. Rudolph offers familiarity but not true Super Bowl hopes. After letting Justin Fields walk in free agency, Pittsburgh’s future at the position is once again uncertain.
The franchise cannot afford to ignore the long-term answer at quarterback, and the 2025 NFL Draft could be where they finally commit to finding it. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan on Thursday afternoon and shared what he believes the team will do at quarterback in the draft.
"Yeah, quite possibly, but not until probably the third or fourth round," Fittipaldo said. "I would lean more to the fourth round if they are going to take one. Ohio State Pro Day later this week, they will meet with Will Howard. They will do that with all of those day-three quarterbacks. They may have Tyler Shough in here who is also in that category."
Fittipaldo made it clear that the Steelers are far from finished evaluating their quarterback options. He revealed that the team will be meeting with several more quarterback prospects in the coming weeks. In fact, Pittsburgh has already sat down with Alabama prospect Jalen Milroe on Tuesday ahead of his Pro Day, signaling that they’re doing their homework on dynamic, athletic quarterbacks who could fit into Arthur Smith’s offense.
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University of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe on the run during a collegiate football game.
Fittipaldo continued by sharing what he believes the Steelers will ultimately do in the draft when it comes to the quarterback position. He emphasized that Pittsburgh isn’t just kicking the tires — they’re serious about finding a long-term answer. While Rodgers or Wilson could hold down the fort for a season, the front office knows they need a young quarterback to develop behind them.
"I don’t really see Pittsburgh pulling the trigger at 21 on a quarterback," Fittipaldo said. "You got to go D-line or another position at that spot. There’s nothing wrong with taking a flyer on a guy in the third or fourth round when you don’t have your future franchise quarterback. Maybe you will get lucky. That’s how I am looking at it."
No matter what the Steelers end up doing for 2025 in terms of their starter, they aren’t as concerned about a so-called weak quarterback class as others are. In fact, the Steelers seem to see this as an opportunity. They believe now might be the perfect time to find a hidden gem in a draft class most teams are overlooking — and possibly strike gold while others hesitate.
Steelers Looking To Strike Gold In The Draft At Quarterback
When the market is low is often the best time to buy, and that seems to be the Steelers’ mindset heading into this draft. Milroe is one of the most intriguing prospects they’ve shown interest in, especially after clocking an eye-popping 4.37 in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. There’s no denying his elite athleticism, but questions still linger about whether his arm talent and accuracy can translate to the NFL level.
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Quarterback Jalen Milroe speaks during his Pro Day at Alabama.
Milroe had his struggles as a passer in college, which is always a concern. However, his Pro Day performance has reportedly boosted his draft stock in a big way, possibly putting him out of Pittsburgh’s range. Fittipaldo doesn’t believe the Steelers will panic or reach for a quarterback in this class, no matter how tempting. As draft boards shift and quarterback stocks rise and fall, it’ll be fascinating to see whether the Steelers strike or stay patient — both for the draft and the upcoming season.
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