Story by
Breaking Down 28 External Options for the Pittsburgh Steelers at Quarterback
- Story by
- Breaking Down 28 External Options for the Pittsburgh Steelers at Quarterback
PITTSBURGH —Mike Tomlin said during his post-season press conference on Wednesday that he and Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan have some time set aside to discuss the external options at the quarterback position as the team enters the 2025 offseason.
There are lots of options out there for Tomlin and Khan to break down, but none of them seem especially promising compared to the idea of returning either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson — or both — for another season.
Advertisement
Let's break down the top external options for the Steelers at quarterback in 2025, with attached odds vis SportsBetting.ag.
TJ Watt sacks Sam Darnold as the Steelers played against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. (Mitchell Northam / Steelers Now)
Sam Darnold , Minnesota Vikings , Free Agent (+500)
Why it would work: Sam Darnold had a career resurgence in 2024, and he's always been a talented player — that's why he was a No. 3 overall draft pick back in 2018. His 102.5 passer rating in 2024 was almost 10 points higher than his previous career high, and he also set top marks in completion percentage, QBR, and on-target throw percentage.
Why it won't work:Darnold's resurgence came with the input of Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, a disciple of the Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay coaching trees and a former NFL quarterback himself, who backed up for Tom Brady . The Steelers don't have any of that kind of support system in place for a quarterback.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama Athletics
Jalen Milroe , Alabama Crimson Tide, NFL Draft (+800)
Why it would work:Mike Tomlin talked on Tuesday about the importance of quarterback mobility. Jalen Milroe ran 168 times for 726 yards for Alabama this season. He should be available around where the Steelers pick in the back part of the first round.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:Milroe is a huge work in progress in terms of his pocket management. He's too eager to tuck and run at times, doesn't feel pressure well enough at others and doesn't read coverages well. There's almost no reason to prefer Milroe to Justin Fields.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 20, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Aaron Rodgers , New York Jets , Cut/Trade Candidate (+900)
Why it would work:The all-time career leader in interception rate, Aaron Rodgers is very good at the one thing nearest and dearest to Mike Tomlin's heart: taking care of the football. He also threw for 3,897 yards in 2024. The Steelers haven't had a player do that since 2018.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:Rodgers will be 42 next season. He's never been particularly fast — he's the most-sacked quarterback in NFL history — and the Steelers offensive line did not pass protect very well in 2024. His completion percentage has remained high (63% in 2024), but it's come at the cost of fewer targets down field. His average depth of target was 6.8 last season, falling more than a yard from his last full season in 2022.
Quinn Ewers, Texas Athletics
Quinn Ewers , Texas Longhorns, NFL Draft (+900)
Why it will work: Quinn Ewers , who officially declared for the draft on Wednesday, rebounded his draft stock with a solid performance in the College Football Playoff. He led the SEC with 31 touchdowns this season. Ewers has a great arm and good size for the position.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:Ewers also led the SEC in interceptions and struggled with decision making. He made pocket traffic worse at times, and has big improvements to make in field vision and progressions. He'd be a reach at pick No. 21.
Kirk Cousins , Atlanta Falcons , Cut/Trade Candidate (+1,000)
Why it will work:If Kirk Cousins is released by the Atlanta Falcons, the Steelers could reprise their 2023 quarterback plan, letting someone else pay their quarterback the vast majority of his salary. Cousins was good enough in 2023 to earn $100 million in guaranteed money from the Falcons last year.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:Cousins will turn 37 next season, and will be available because he lost his job to Michael Penix this season. He led the NFL in interceptions with 16 despite only playing in 14 games. His passer rating of 88.6 was near a career low. Penix is far from proven, so Atlanta may want to just keep Cousins as a backup if the only option is cutting him for nothing. If the Steelers are going to have a likely over-the-hill quarterback, why not pick Wilson, who already knows the scheme and the players? That's certainly better than trading something for Cousins.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith tackles New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones on Oct. 29, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Daniel Jones , Minnesota Vikings, Free Agent (+1,000)
Why it will work:Jones will only be 28, and was a decent NFL quarterback on occasion in a bad situation on New York. The Giants never had much of an offensive line and seemingly never had receivers for him to target, so he'll be pretty used to the situation he'll be entering in Pittsburgh. Jones is at least adept at running for his life, if nothing else. If you squint a little bit, you can see some similarities between Jones and former Arthur Smith quarterback Ryan Tannehill .
Advertisement
Why it won't work:Jones just does not have the pocket presence to be good NFL quarterback. His career passer rating of 84.3 has been earned over a whopping 70 games. Darnold-like miracles do happen, but probably not in Pittsburgh. He probably needs a real quarterback guru to resuscitate his career, and he seems to know that, which is why he signed in Minnesota.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 19, 2021. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Derek Carr , New Orleans Saints , Cut/Trade Candidate (+1,600)
Why it will work:The Saints have the worst salary cap situation in the league, just fired their coach, and appear to be headed for a hard reset. There's no reason for them to keep paying an average-at-best quarterback $40 million per year. Without a great offensive line, Carr led the NFL in sack rate at 2.79%, and he threw just five interceptions this season. He is risk management personified. A 67.7 completion percentage at 7.8 yards average depth of target suggests his arm is still fine at 33 years old, and he set a career high with a 7.57 adjusted net yards per attempt.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:Unlike other cut candidates, none of the money on Carr's contract is guaranteed, so he'd be looking for a decent-sized paycheck, and his big money will follow him if traded. The Steelers won't want to pay him $40 million, either. Injuries held him to just 10 games this season.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan Athletics
J.J. McCarthy , Minnesota Vikings, Trade Candidate (+1,600)
Why it will work:J.J. McCarthy was one of the top quarterback prospects I the 2024 NFL Draft, but Sam Darnold surprised people with his play this season. McCarthy may not be healthy or ready for the start of the 2025 season, so the Vikings will at least need an insurance policy, if not a full-time starter. If they sign Darnold to big money, they may look to move on from McCarthy.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:The shine came off Darnold significantly over the last two weeks, as the Vikings lost the NFC North to the Detroit Lions and then lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round. It's hard to imagine them trading McCarthy, and he wouldn't be a sure thing in Pittsburgh, either. They'd still need someone else.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis waits for the snap against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 2, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Will Levis , Tennessee Titans , Trade Candidate (+2,000)
Why it will work:Will Levis was in a completely moribund offense in Tennessee, and is a true reclamation project. He still has a big arm and can move well, and a new head coach for the Titans could look to move on and go a new direction at quarterback. He probably would not break the bank in a trade.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:Levis got benched for Mason Rudolph this season amid a spate of turnovers. He threw 12 interceptions compared to just 13 touchdowns this season and also fumbled 10 times. His career completion percentage of 61% is not particularly inspiring.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson after a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 29, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Anthony Richardson , Indianapolis Colts , Trade Candidate (+2,000)
Why it will work:Anthony Richardson is fast and mobile and has a great arm.
Why it won't work:The Colts are not going to trade him.
Trey Lance , Dallas Cowboys , Free Agent (+2,000)
Why it will work:A former No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance has the size, arm strength and athleticism to be a good NFL quarterback. Having started just one game since 2022, he should not demand much in the salary department.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:The same reasons it didn't work for anyone else. Lance has a career 56.6% completion percentage, 2.8% of his career passes have been intercepted, and his adjusted net yards per attempt over his last three starts is an incredibly low 4.33. Evidence is starting to mount that Lance simply isn't very good.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 17, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Gardner Minshew , Las Vegas Raiders , Cut/Trade Candidate (+2,000)
Why it will work:Gardner Minshew is noted as an intelligent quarterback capable of picking up schemes quickly and that has served him well as he's bounced to four destinations in six years. He went to the Pro Bowl with the Colts in 2023, when he threw for a career-best 3,305 yards.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:He's under contract for a reasonable rate in Vegas, and they don't have a better option. His interceptions have ticked up in each of the last two seasons, while his average depth of target has dropped all the way to 6.0 this year. He's being less aggressive and turning the ball over more. That's not what you want to see.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 18, 2021. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Geno Smith , Seattle Seahawks , Trade Candidate (+2,200)
Why it will work:The Seahawks had a new head coach in 2024 in Mike McDonald, Geno Smith is entering the final year of his contract, when he'll be 35 years old. It's hard to imagine him being back after that, and so why go through a lame duck season? Smith completed over 70% of his passes this past season, and while his interceptions (15) were high, he offset those with 21 touchdowns. His 4,320 yards were a career high. He's a low-mileage
Advertisement
Why it won't work:Smith will probably cost a good bit in a trade, and is also owed $31 million in 2025 under his current contract, so this would be an expensive addition. He was sacked a whopping 50 times, and was sacked on 7.96% of his drop backs, which won't be helped by a leaky Steelers offensive line.
Carson Beck. — Kari Hodges / Georgia Athletics
Carson Beck , Miami Hurricanes, NFL Draft (+2,500)
Why it will work:Not even sure I can sell this one.
Why it won't work:Beck is hurt and won't be able to play for some time, has transferred from Georgia to Miami to be with his girlfriend , and isn't in the draft class as of today's deadline. He also wasn't playing all that well before his injury.
Advertisement
Tyrod Taylor , New York Jets, Trade/Cut Candidate (+3,300)
Why it will work:Tyrod Taylor is not going to wow anyone, but he doesn't turn the ball over and likely won't cost much. He's under contract for $6 million in 2025.
Why it won't work:Taylor has a bad propensity for taking sacks (9.18 career sack percentage), and that probably won't improve as he gets older. There are better options out there.
Jacoby Brissett , New England Patriots , Free Agent (+4,000)
Why it will work:Jacoby Brissett never throws interceptions, has played in a number of offensive schemes, and is familiar with the AFC North after a stint with Cleveland in 2022.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:His adjusted net yards per attempt cratered to an embarrassing 3.92 before he was benched for Drake Maye this season.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones winds up to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Mac Jones , Jacksonville Jaguars , Free Agent (+5,000)
Why it will work:Mac Jones went to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns compared to 13 interceptions. He posted a 92.5 passer rating and a 6.22 adjusted net yards per attempt.
Why it won't work:Everything Jones has done since then has been worse.
Cooper Rush , Dallas Cowboys, Free Agent (+5,000)
Why it will work:In his eighth NFL season in 2024, Rush earned his greatest career playing time, and honestly, wasn't that bad. He posted an unimpressive 83.8 passer rating, but threw for fewer interceptions and more touchdowns than Dak Prescott did in the same offense.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:There are probably good reasons no one ever thought to give Rush a chance in eight NFL seasons. His career completion percentage of 60.7 — which he matched in 2024 — is not good enough.
Drew Lock , New York Giants , Free Agent (+5,000)
Why it will work:A former first-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2019, Lock has plenty of talent.
Why it won't work:Everyone that has given him a shot has regretted it, including the New York Giants, who got better play out of Tommy DeVito in 2024.
Tanner McKee , Philadelphia Eagles , Trade Candidate (+5,000)
Why it will work:Tanner McKee was Philly's third-string quarterback this year, and got into two games when both Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett were banged up. McKee looked good, completing 66.7% of his passes with a 117.2 passer rating. For a sixth-round rookie, it was impressive.
Advertisement
Why it won't work:The Eagles probably don't have a lot of incentive to trade McKee at this point, as he's cheap depth for three more seasons. The Steelers would be slightly insane to give someone the starter's job based on 45 NFL pass attempts.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Jimmy Garoppolo , Los Angeles Rams, Free Agent (+5,000)
Why it will work:Jimmy Garoppolo was pretty good with the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, with a 67.2% completion percentage and a 103.0 passer rating.
Why it won't work:He's dealt with significant injuries and has only played in eight games over the last two seasons.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph during a game against the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 15, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Some Even Less Likely Options
Marcus Mariota has history with Arthur Smith, which has gotten a half-dozen people jobs with the Steelers so far. Jameis Winston was better than most expected with the Cleveland Browns this year. Mason Rudolph is certainly better than some of the above names. What about prying Dak Prescottout of Dallas with a new Cowboys head coach coming to town? Could the Green Bay Packers be convinced to give up Malik Willis ?
Advertisement
Finally, the Steelers could sell the farm to trade up into the top five to land Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward . That doesn't seem much like their style, and neither player will probably be as good as the draft slot that will be required to land them in a quarterback-poor draft class.
More must-reads:
