After watching both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields slip in free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a big question to answer at quarterback entering the week of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The temporary solution could be Aaron Rodgers, but he has thrown out the idea of retirement for his plans in 2025. Even if the future Hall-of-Fame QB is playing head games with the Steelers and the league, the best bet for the Steelers would be to select a quarterback at some point in this draft even with Rodgers.
In an ideal situation, the veteran would be on board to help whoever they draft develop while at the same time putting the team in position to complete. A playoff team a year ago behind the duo of Wilson and Fields, the Steelers have added DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. In making that kind of splash offensively, the Steelers must have a plan at quarterback, even if the default is finding a talented arm in the 2025 NFL Draft to manage the offensive approach.
Although not a top -heavy draft as far as quarterback talent, there are some interesting young arms who could at least do what Kenny Pickett did in 2022 during his rookie season…give the team and fans hope at the position.
Steelers best bets at quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft
Current quarterback situation: QB1: Mason Rudolph, QB2 Skylar Thompson.
Although Rudolph has shown flashes, he will likely not be the team’s starting quarterback entering the 2025 NFL season. At the very least, he will be in competition with whoever they draft. If Rodgers is onboard by then, it would be competition as a backup with one of these potential prospects eventually either taking over as a starter or a top backup to Rodgers.
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss: The Ole Miss dual-threat QB is the wild card of the 2025 NFL Draft. Initially projected as a Day 2 selection, Jaxson Dart has been projected as high as a top 10 pick since the NFL Combine. In reality he should be around when the Steelers select at No. 21. If the Steelers are locked in on selecting a QB, he’s the likely option in the first round giving his playmaking ability, size and athleticism as a quarterback. He does have the arm and makeup to be an NFL starter but will need to work on his deep ball accuracy, especially with a player like Metcalf as the deep threat.
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama: If the Steelers approach is to depend on the run to set up the pass, Jalen Milroe is an intriguing option for the black and gold. Although his draft value has dropped, he has some Lamar Jackson in him which will appeal to the Steelers as a Day 2 third-round pick. Given his ability to make plays with his legs, his dual-threat ability gives him a high ceiling in the NFL if drafted in the right situation. If he can work on his consistency and staying patient within the pocket, he could be a steal in the third round.
Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame: A later round option is Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard, who would benefit from learning behind a veteran like Rodgers. Like Dart and Milroe, he is an athletic quarterback with prototypical size with the mobility to get outside the pocket and create plays. Although his arm talent is not great, his toughness and grittiness as a quarterback are traits that should appeal to the Steelers in the middle round of the draft.