The Pittsburgh Steelers are starving for quarterback help in 2025, but competent options are limited. If Mike Tomlin and the front office are unwilling to run it back with Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, they'll either need to fork up to sign Sam Darnold in free agency or risk getting worse at the position.
However, trading for a quarterback could be an option... if the price is right.
On the latest episode of the Still Curtain podcast, I broke down the two 'realistic quarterback trade options—Derek Carr and Geno Smith. Early in February, I broke down the trade rumors surrounding Matthew Stafford. Theoretically, this would be the best option of the group.
Stafford led the Rams to a 10-7 record in 2024, which included an impressive 27-9 playoff win over the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings. The veteran quarterback is a former Super Bowl winner who still has the arm talent and pocket presence that could lead to playoff success.
On February 19, NFL Insider Jordan Schultz revealed the Los Angeles Rams' asking price for Stafford via trade... and it's not cheap.
"Several teams, per league sources, have called L.A. about Stafford and the belief is a first-round pick would probably be the asking price should the Rams choose to make a deal," Schultz wrote on Fox Sports.
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Schultz went on to explain that the Rams want Stafford to return to the team in 2025.
"Again, the Rams want him back (he also carries a $49.3 million cap hit if released) and there's been nothing to this point that would suggest Stafford doesn't want to play for them, but this is undoubtedly one of the biggest storylines heading into free agency next month," Schultz continued. "Before then, the Rams and Stafford's agent are planning to meet in Indianapolis to see if they can find common ground.
Steelers can't mortgage future for Matthew Stafford trade
If Matthew Stafford were hypothetically on the table, he instantly become the best option for the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2025 season. Stafford is coming off a season that was accompanied by more playoff success than Mike Tomlin has seen in eight years, and he's only four years removed from a Super Bowl victory.
However, the Steelers can't afford to sell the farm for a 37-year-old quarter.
While Stafford is still playing at a high level, we've seen how quickly quarterbacks can fizzle out in the NFL when they reach their late 30s (Ben Roethlisberger is a prime example). Though Stafford still appears to have plenty of arm talent, he lacks mobility in the pocket, and going from Sean McVay's offense to Arthur Smith's could yield less-than-desirable results.
Stafford's mere presence would give the Steelers a fighting chance to compete if they make it to the playoffs following the 2025 regular season, but Pittsburgh can't justify trading a first-round pick for a player who could elect to retire by the 2026 offseason.
If the Steelers are willing to invest first-round draft capital on a quarterback, it should come through the NFL Draft. Throwing darts at potential franchise signal-callers is the only way this team is going to get back on track for the long haul.
Stafford would certainly get Steelers fans excited for the 2025 season, but this short-sighted investment is a bad play for the future.