As we enter the 2025 offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers don't have a single quarterback under contract. Owner and team president Art Rooney II expressed interest in bringing back Russell Wilson or Justin Fields—preferably on a multi-year contract—but everything is on the table.
After failed experiments with Wilson and Kenny Pickett since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement after the 2021 season, the Steelers are still looking for a franchise signal-caller, and Rooney didn't rule out the idea of selecting one in the 2025 NFL Draft.
This week, Pittsburgh's brass is on hand for the Senior Bowl, and potential Day 2 QB prospects like Dillon Gabriel and Jaxon Dart took the practice field. But after what we witnessed in Mobile, one quarterback should be out of the running to be a Steelers draft pick.
Steelers should be out on Jalen Milroe
Leading up to Senior Bowl week, there was a lot of buzz surrounding Alabama's Jalen Milroe. The polarizing quarterback had unimpressive college production as a passer, but fantastic rushing ability and production on the ground.
During his senior season before declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, Milroe recorded just 16 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions while chipping in 2,844 passing yards in 13 games. The Senior Bowl was the ultimate test for Milroe to show that he has what it takes to be a starting NFL quarterback.
He failed the test.
One rep after another, Milroe proved disappointing. In wide-open warm-ups, Milroe skipped a pass off the turf to his intended target, and in team drills, the Alabama product threw a careless interception. Throughout the practice sessions, Milroe flashed with a few impressive throws down the field, but it was a poor performance overall.
In addition to Milroe's downright ugly performance in Mobile during Senior Bowl Week, the quarterback prospect had a major red flag during weigh-ins. At 6'1 1/2'' and 220 pounds, Milroe has a solid frame but came in a bit shorter than scouts had hoped. However, his 8 3/4'' hands raised cause for concern.
No NFL quarterback has ever had a successful career with hands under nine inches, and Milroe's hand size measured the same as Kenny Pickett's during his Pitt Pro Day. The Steelers already had one bad experience with a quarterback with tiny hands—who had to wear gloves every game—and they won't want to go through this again.
Milroe could prove to be an elite rushing threat at the next level, as he has the talent and tools to be a Justin Fields-level rusher from the quarterback position in the NFL. Unfortunately, his poor accuracy and decision-making at the NFL Combine didn't do him any favors, and he should drop on every team's draft board.
The Steelers need a franchise quarterback; not another gamble on a player who will never have enough upside as a passer in the NFL. Pittsburgh should pass on Jalen Milroe in the NFL Draft after his dismal Senior Bowl performance.