The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a habit of making their draft intentions clear as day in recent years. Head coach Mike Tomlin in particular doesn't exactly hide his enthusiasm when it comes to prospects he likes.
This draft season has been no different, as they have met with several players at all of their key needs. Quarterback has been a hot topic, due to the ongoing stalemate between Pittsburgh and Aaron Rodgers.
Whether Rodgers chooses to sign or not, finding the future at QB is at the top of general manager Omar Khan's to-do list. That is why it's notable that one of the QBs they have met with recently received an invite to the 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay, Wis.
Pittsburgh Steelers' interest in Jalen Milroe is a likely reason for his invite to the 2025 NFL draft
Alabama's Jalen Milroe is a polarizing talent in this year's draft, to say the least. He has plenty of high-end traits, like his rushing ability and natural arm talent, that make scouts want to believe he can be the next Jalen Hurts.
His overall game is far from perfect, however, with concerns over his mechanics and his down-to-down consistency keeping his stock from rising during the draft process. Still, receiving an invite to the NFL draft is a strong sign that at least one team views him as a first-round pick.
According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the NFL is limiting the number of players invited to the draft this year to those it views as likely top picks.
While that may not guarantee anything in terms of where Milroe ultimately gets drafted, the league would undoubtedly receive backlash for extending an invite to a player who was never going to be selected early.
That has happened in recent years even without the more selective approach. Titans QB Will Levis is a recent example, falling just out of the first round at pick 33. Raiders QB Geno Smith is another, with him falling even farther to pick 39.
With all of that in mind, the Steelers are the first team that comes to mind that could view him as a first-round pick.
They just lost Justin Fields this offseason to the New York Jets, and Mike Tomlin has expressed his interest in having a mobile passer running the offense. If Milroe is ultimately the pick, they better have a plan in place to allow him to learn and grow before getting a shot at being the franchise QB.