The Steelers made some serious changes in the quarterback room last offseason. They opted to cut bait with Kenny Pickett (the right move considering how bad he was in his first two seasons) and added Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on the cheap. It looked early on like this was a brilliant move, as the team was successful with Fields and then thrived with Wilson at the helm.
The end of the season tells a different story though. Fields saw less and less action, a clear sign that the team doesn’t view him as their guy for the future. Wilson went from one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league to doing his best Pickett impersonation down the stretch. It was ugly, and with no quarterback under contract, there are no clear answers as to who will man this room in 2025.
If you had asked me just a month ago, the answer would have been clear: you bring back Wilson and try to add a young option to learn behind him. After the collapse though, there is an argument to be made that the team needs to go in a different direction. If Wilson isn’t a part of their plan, here are six unique quarterback options the team can consider.
Steelers could add Kirk Cousins
My least favorite option, Kirk Cousins was supposed to provide some stability in Atlanta under their new regime, but his play, like Wilson’s, fell off in the second half of the season. He was benched and will be moved somewhere this offseason. While he would present a very experienced and proven option, my question is why add him?
While not a physical clone of Wilson, the stages they are in their career mixed in with the uninspiring play last year make this a hard sell. Not to mention that you may have to trade for him and his contract isn’t a great value by any means. If you added him, my guess is you have the same issues at quarterback this time next year.
Steelers could add Will Levis
I actually like Will Levis more than most. I realize he has some major issues as a starter right now, but he has all of the tools to be a viable starter in the league. From a great arm to enough mobility, he fits the mold of a modern gunslinger. With the Titans ready to cut bait, I would be interested in adding him at the right price.
My issue is that while I like him, I also think he needs to sit on a bench for a year or two and work on his mechanics. Jumping from one team to another as a starter won’t help him out, so if the Steelers move on from Wilson, subbing in Levis would likely fail. If they could get him at the right price though, I think he would be a great backup and reclamation project.
Steelers could target a trade or released veteran
These names won’t be apparent right now, but the league will naturally churn through some lesser names as teams prepare for their offseasons. There seem to be three names that could be made available this year: Gardner Minshew, Kyler Murray, and Geno Smith.
Of the three, Murray would cost the most and is the least likely to be moved. Arizona has built their entire offense around him, and while he struggles with consistency, I can’t see them completely moving on this year. Minshew could be cut as the Raiders look for a rookie to take over. He certainly isn’t great, but in the right system, he can hold his own. That said, rolling with him would be an admission of banking on the 2026 rookie class at quarterback.
Smith is the interesting name of the bunch. His story is one to be celebrated: flamed out as a second-round pick, bounced around as a backup, and took over for Wilson and thrived in Seattle. There is talk of moving on from him though, and while he isn’t an elite quarterback, he would be the preferred name from this list, as he has shown the ability to win and help keep offenses moving.
Steelers could go after Joe Milton
A name I loved coming out of the draft last year, Joe Milton is your classic boom-or-bust quarterback. He has some great athletic traits and a cannon for an arm, but his mechanics were crap and at his age, there was no telling if they would get better. That said, he looked good in the preseason and played extremely well in the season finale.
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There is no guarantee that the Patriots would want to part with Milton, and it would likely take a day-two pick to do it right now, but you get the shot a restarting with a new talented player on a rookie deal. It is a big risk, but an equally big reward. That said, I can’t see the Steelers doing a deal like this.
Steelers can target a Vikings quarterback
Man, what a position the Vikings find themselves in this offseason. They drafted J.J. McCarthy in the first round last year, he was lost for the year with an injury, and Sam Darnold came in and played at an elite level. Now they face a tough choice, as they have two quarterbacks who should be in line to start.
With Darnold a free agent, we should know sooner than later what their intentions are with him as he will either receive the franchise tag or he will enter free agency. If he becomes a free agent, the Steelers need to consider him over what they have in Wilson. If tagged, he won’t be a realistic option, as a tag and trade is really hard to navigate.
If McCarthy is the odd man out, trading for him becomes viable. It would likely cost a first-round pick, but you land one of the most coveted passers from last year's draft class at about a 15-pick discount. I would do that in a heartbeat for a player with the potential that McCarthy has.
In theory, the Vikings could carry both. That doesn’t seem likely given what the financials would look like and how it would impact the locker room, but if that is the choice they make then no Minnesota option is viable. That said, if the Steelers are serious about trying to upgrade their quarterback room, looking for a Viking makes a lot of sense.