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Steelers can rule out this polarizing QB prospect after incriminating measurable

This Jalen Milroe measurement will give you flashbacks of Kenny Pickett.

ByTommy Jaggi|
Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws the ball before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws the ball before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a glaring need for a franchise quarterback. Though Art Rooney II recently expressed interest in bringing back either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields for the 2025 season, the team president didn't rule out the possibility of taking a quarterback in the NFL Draft.

One name that has been frequently linked to the team is Alabama product Jalen Milroe. The polarizing quarterback has a lot of work to do as a passer, but his elite rushing ability could cause teams to view him as the third-best QB in the 2025 draft class (after Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders).

Milroe has some impressive traits to work with. At 6'1 3/8'' and 220 pounds, the well-known prospect has a big arm and superb rushing ability. Unfortunately, there is one measurable that will be an instant turn-off to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Steelers will pass on Milroe because of Kenny Pickett-like hands

Players who showed up in attendance for Senior Bowl week had their measurements taken on January 27. When Milroe weighed in, his small hands instantly became the talk of the town.

According to official Senior Bowl measurements, Milroe's hand size is just 8 5/8''.

This puts him in company with Kenny Pickett, whose hands measured in at 8 1/2'' at the 2022 NFL Combine and 8 5/8'' at his Pitt Pro Day. Pickett's hands are the third smallest on record for a quarterback since 1999, according to Mockdraftable's database.

While Milroe's hands could measure differently at the NFL Combine, the number won't increase by much (if any at all).

Unfortunately, Pickett proved to be a poor pick. Whether it was due to his small hands or not, this is sure to leave a bad taste in the mouth of the organization. There have only been 11 quarterbacks at the Combine since 1999 with hands under nine inches: Kyle Shurmer, Jake Fromm, Brandon Allen, Dustin Vaughn, Jordan Lynch, Zac Thomas, Tyler Wilson, Skylar Thompson, Kenny Pickett, Connor Halliday, and Kevin Davidson.

This is not exactly an inspiring list.

Pittsburgh's new front office heads—Omar Khan and Andy Weidl—didn't select Pickett in the draft. That was Kevin Colbert's doing. However, Khan and Weidl had no issue trading Pickett to the Eagles. The underwhelming quarterback will be a reminder that tools and measurables matter at the position.

Unlike Pickett, Milroe's small hands don't seem to affect the velocity he puts on the football. But it's one thing to play in the SEC with small hands in the fall; it's another thing entirely to play football in the north in December and January.

Driving a frozen football through the winter elements with sub-9-inch hands is something that no quarterback has ever done consistently in this league. Sure, it's only one measurement. Perhaps the Steelers will take it with a grain of salt. But I think Pittsburgh will be out on Jalen Milroe after this.

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