The Pittsburgh Steelers need a quarterback this offseason. While Aaron Rodgers and a draft prospect seem like the team's preferred option for 2026, the fact of the matter is that Rodgers could retire or play elsewhere, and a draft pick might not be ready to play right away.
That's why someone like Kyler Murray could end up finding his way to the Steel City. Murray, the former first overall pick by the Cardinals in 2019, was released by Arizona earlier this week and now will be a free agent for the first time in his NFL career.
While other quarterback-needy teams such as the Falcons and Vikings will certainly be taking a look at Murray, an unexpected option might have just thrown their hat into the ring. The team formerly known as the Oakland Athletics, now known just as the Athletics, who previously selected Murray in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft, have made it clear they're open to a reunion with their former draft pick.
A's general manager David Forst said the door never closed with Murray after he chose to head to the NFL and play football instead of playing for the A's.
"Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” Forst said. “That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we’re always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers could have unique competition for Kyler Murray
Murray was a first-round pick by the team then located in Oakland, but he returned to college to play one more year of college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, then won the Heisman Trophy, and at that point, football was where he wanted to stay. He ended up as the top pick in the 2019 draft, and now, after seven disappointing seasons, he's without a team in either sport.
While there hasn't been a ton of buzz surrounding Murray landing in Pittsburgh, it's not something fans should rule out. Mike McCarthy is known for the work he does with quarterbacks, and he'd certainly be able to get solid production out of the former Heisman Trophy winner.
That being said, if Rodgers is willing to come back and play for his former head coach and the Steelers can add another signal-caller in the draft, that still feels like the most likely outcome here.
As for Murray choosing to play baseball after all of these years, we can't rule anything out, but it doesn't feel realistic. He'll more than likely remain in the NFL and be a starting quarterback for a team in search of one. Will it be the Steelers, though? We'll have to wait and see.