With out high quality quarterback play within the NFL there may be just about no likelihood of severely competing for a Tremendous Bowl. That is unhealthy information for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 2 causes.
The primary is that they haven’t had top-tier quarterback play for about 5 or 6 years now going again to the tip of the Ben Roethlisberger period in 2021.
The second is that they at the moment do not need a single quarterback underneath contract for the 2025 season, as Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen are all unrestricted free brokers this offseason.
With their want for a quarterback resolution being what it’s, let’s energy rank a number of the choices that may very well be out there to them this offseason.
This isn’t a rating on who’s prone to be the quarterback, however quite a rating of the quarterbacks that might be one of the best match and provides them one of the best likelihood to compete.
1. Matthew Stafford
Stafford is the one quarterback within the NFL this offseason that would realistically be out there, and is perhaps adequate to immediately elevate the Steelers to Tremendous Bowl contender standing. He is perhaps in his late 30s with a number of mileage on his physique, however he can nonetheless play at an especially high-level.
If he’s out there, the Steelers ought to be calling.
The draw back right here is that this is able to be an excessive lengthy shot as a result of the commerce compensation and wage calls for would in all probability be greater than the Steelers need to pay. It’s a dream state of affairs. Perhaps even a fantasy. It’s the greatest fantasy, although.
2. Justin Fields
Fields is already acquainted with the Steelers and located success with the staff early within the 2024 season, main them to a 4-2 file earlier than he was benched for Wilson.
His passing stays inconsistent, however he dramatically reduce down on the turnovers with the Steelers, brings the mobility head coach Mike Tomlin is craving on the place and mustn’t break the financial institution financially, probably enable the Steelers to construct a powerful staff round him with the extra wage cap area.
3. A rookie
That is removed from a great state of affairs as a result of not solely is that this a weak class for quarterbacks, they’re prone to be out of vary of the highest two quarterbacks within the draft (Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders). The subsequent tier of quarterbacks within the class are tasks that might require a ton of persistence. Might they get aggressive and commerce up? It may not be the worst concept if you happen to actually like one, and certainly one of them slides slightly.
4. Russell Wilson
That is the place issues begin to actually get bleak. The one constructive factor that Wilson had going for him with the Steelers in 2024 is that he got here low-cost and gave them wage cap flexibility. He may not be as low-cost this offseason, and he additionally demonstrated fairly clearly that he doesn’t have a lot left within the tank.
An vital lesson to remember for future reference: If an NFL staff is keen to pay a quarterback $50M to not play for them, there may be in all probability purpose why.
5. Sam Darnold
Darnold was one of many largest shock success tales within the NFL in 2024, moving into the Minnesota Vikings lineup and taking part in one of the best soccer of his profession. He additionally performed himself into an enormous contract this offseason and there’s no assure he ever duplicates that efficiency once more, particularly if he doesn’t have that very same vast receiver group round him.
6. Aaron Rodgers
The worst concept conceivable. Rodgers will flip 42 years previous this season, has received simply 13 of the previous 34 video games he has began and completed, seems to be fully washed up and would deliver infinite distractions that the Steelers (or any staff) merely don’t want. Keep away from in any respect prices.
