With the NFL Draft drawing near, the Pittsburgh Steelers remain without a concrete answer at quarterback. Though most would agree that Pittsburgh should select a quarterback in the draft, the fanbase is split on the idea of doing so in the first round.
There are reasonable arguments on both sides. On the one hand, this year's class is far from a sure thing, while future names like Manning sound like better pursuits than anything on offer in April 2025. But on the other hand, the Steelers are not the tanking type and would likely win at minimum 8-9 games with Mason Rudolph, leaving the Steelers out of conversations involving the name Manning this time next year anyway.
Again, there are no right sides to this. The Steelers have plenty of other needs, especially if Aaron Rodgers will be quarterbacking the team in 2025 (with Super Bowl expectations abound). But with Rodgers at 41 years old, the Steelers have to weigh the pros and cons of playing both sides of the coin at quarterback, just like they did last year.
Three Reasons the Pittsburgh Steelers Would Draft a First-Round Quarterback
#1: Mounting Pressure on Coaching and Front Office Staff
Sure, sure, the Steelers are mired in mediocrity, and based on grades handed out by players themselves, ownership has shown little to indicate any of those drastic changes will be coming. While we can agree that the frugal nature of Art Rooney II is questionable at best, it seems unlikely he would watch on as the team dissolved into the muck of the NFL basement.
That's not to say Rooney is threatening mass layoffs from the top down. But Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan aren't going to just wait around until Mr. Rooney comes to such a conclusion.
Drafting a quarterback in the first round with the optics of tutelage behind Rodgers buys Tomlin and Khan insurance for future seasons. Yes, their contracts do the same, but there is a natural path to self-preservation for the team's leadership.
Regardless, consider this the "they're desperate" option.
#2: The Steelers Found a Perfect Talent-Scheme Match
This reason comes wrapped up in the idea that Pittsburgh is confident in Khan's team building- that the investments on the offensive line and the addition of DK Metcalf are enough to suit a rookie quarterback who will need to develop. If it's any consolation, it's fair to say a potential first-round quarterback for Pittsburgh this year is in a better position than Kenny Pickett was in.
Onto the main idea here, Arthur Smith's offense isn't the most complex in the world. That's to say, it fit Russell Wilson's base skillset of handoffs, play-action, and moon ball. Sure, it has its other quirks, and it certainly looked different with Justin Fields at quarterback - which is who they reportedly wanted in 2025.
It's certainly possible that the Steelers have found a quarterback who fits what it is they want to do on offense, whether that's replicate whatever Aaron Rodgers (might) bring to the team, pursue the Justin Fields-type, or find a blend of both options.
#3: The Steelers Fell in Love With a Prospect
It's almost cliche at this point, but the Steelers are a team in a position this draft season to "go get their guy", if they have one. With quarterback rankings all over the place, if the front office believes one of these quarterbacks is available and has the potential to lead the franchise into the future, shouldn't they take him?
Many hold to this philosophy, but the Steelers didn't execute it the last time they chose a first-round quarterback. They let Kenny Pickett fall to them, a precursor of teams passing on the Heisman finalist before passing him around the league. Maybe the Steelers pursue the ideology of taking a guy you believe in instead of taking what you can get.
Have the Pittsburgh Steelers Found Their Quarterback?
For what it's worth, the Steelers showed some love to Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe ahead of his Pro Day as prominent front-office personnel treated him to dinner.
READ MORE: Aaron Rodgers debacle proves that the 'Steelers Way' is officially dead
Milroe is quality insurance as a project who could maybe learn a thing or two behind Rogers. He's also as close to Justin Fields as you can get in this draft class, at least athletically. Plus, Omar Khan has invested in the offensive line through the draft and paired George Pickens with DK Metcalf. Toss in a run-focused scheme that can protect a quarterback like Milroe, and the thought begins to seem enticing to the Steelers.
Of course, this isn't an advocation for the Steelers to take any quarterback in the first round, including, but not limited to, Jalen Milroe. It's just a list of plausible and practical reasons, some of which may already be publicly perceivable, as to why the Steelers may take any quarterback in the first round, including, but not limited to, Jalen Milroe.