The Pittsburgh Steelers will soon begin their diligent search for a starting quarterback for the 2025 season. High expectations for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields fell through, and while team president Art Rooney II isn't opposed to bringing one of these signal-callers back on a new contract, the Steelers can't do the same thing at QB and expect different results.
The options this offseason are limited. Barring an unlikely trade for a seasoned veteran like Matthew Stafford, we are looking at slim pickings.
The latest Steelers rumor shows just how thin.
On February 18, Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan reported from a source that the Steelers could be interested in signing veteran QB Daniel Jones. The former Giants quarterback and 2019 first-round pick hasn't surpassed 15 touchdown passes in a season since his rookie campaign while throwing 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions over the past two years—leading his team to a 3-13 record during this span.
Now Fillipponi is doubling down on the possibility of Jones to the Steelers after NFL analyst Mark Schlereth explained on Breakfast Ball why Pittsburgh and Jones could be a fit in 2025.
"Ball knower Mark Schlereth explains why the Steelers and Arthur Smith would see potential in Daniel Jones," Fillipponi explained on X. "I’m telling you it could happen."
Let's hope not.
Steelers can't sign Daniel Jones to be a starting quarterback
We don't know if there is any truth to this rumor, but what we do know is how razor-thin the free-agent options are at the quarterback position. Outside of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, the Steelers could either spend big on Sam Darnold or sign a low-budget, underwhelming option like Jameis Winston.
While I'm not opposed to signing Jones to be a backup quarterback, the Steelers can't make him their starter in 2025. The game-managing quarterback has a pitiful 24-44-1 all-time record as a starter while averaging an abysmal 6.19 adjusted yards per attempt on 2,241 passes over the first six seasons of his NFL career.
Jones lacks big-play ability and his decision-making has worsened over the past two seasons when he's been on the field. There's a reason the Giants outright cut their former 6th overall pick after signing a four-year, $160 million contract extension during the 2023 offseason. He was that bad.
At best, rolling with Daniel Jones as a stop-gap starting quarterback for the 2025 season would likely result in a nine or ten-win season. At worst, this team snaps their streak without a non-losing season, which would also mark the Steelers' ninth straight year without a playoff win.
This isn't a horse the Steelers should hitch their wagon to in 2025.