Who will be the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025? The early signs point to that player being Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph. Most of the decisions made by Pittsburgh to this point will be determined by what Rodgers decides to do in free agency. If he signs with the Steelers, they are likely to produce another winning season.
However, if Rodgers pulls his name as a candidate for Pittsburgh, expect Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin to either sign another free-agent quarterback or search the trade market. It could be slim pickings on the trade block for those searching for a legit starter at the quarterback position. The Steelers have investigated different names via trade, and Joe Milton III has been one of them.
Since Khan already moved his second-round selection in the upcoming draft, it's hard to imagine him moving another top pick in another move unless it's for a severe upgrade. The Steelers would have to be in love to consider moving their first-round or third-round selections. Unless it's for Kyler Murray, you can count Khan out of those negotiations.
Unfortunately, Milton's rumored asking price is outrageous, and the Pittsburgh Steelers should drop out of the sweepstakes.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should flee trade talks after New England Patriot's asking price for Joe Milton is revealed
According to Tony Grossi of TheLandOnDemand.com, Milton's price is astronomical. New England is trying to take advantage of a weak offseason crop of quarterbacks, which is driving up their asking price.
"Sources closer to the situation than me expect the asking price of the Patriots to be a third-round pick," Grossi wrote. "I’m not sure I’d make that deal, but I would definitely inquire to see if some conditions could be negotiated to make the deal more equitable."
You know it's bad when even the Cleveland Browns, who are just as starved for good quarterback play as the Steelers, aren't willing to pay this price. Milton was considered a project player coming out of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the sixth-round selection by the Patriots last year.
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Milton has always possessed freakish abilities for the position. His arm is one of the strongest in the NFL, but he must harness his accuracy. The mobility this quarterback contributes at his size isn't talked about enough. While Milton has all the tools necessary to become the next franchise quarterback for the Steelers, there is a reason why he never became the starter for New England.
The price of asking for a third-round selection for a player who didn't have a single start last year is extremely high. Milton might look the part, but he has yet to show he can become a starter in the NFL. Asking for a Day 2 pick in the upcoming draft for a young player with three years left on his rookie contract is dumbfounding. The Steelers would be nuts to consider it.
There has always been a lot of hype around Milton, but he has never been able to apply his impressive abilities to the quarterback position. He remains a project player, and it's too much of a gamble for a third-round pick in the upcoming draft.
Pittsburgh could consider a trade if the asking price returned to reality. If the Patriots are willing to settle for a Day 3 pick, Joe Milton would be a better gamble than most quarterbacks in the 2025 draft.