This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a quarterback dilemma.
The Steelers signed Russell Wilson and acquired former first-round selection Justin Fields in the offseason. Both quarterbacks had just had turbulent careers with the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears, respectively.
Prior to Week 1 of the season, Wilson was the likely starting quarterback, but he suffered a calf injury. Fields took over and helped the Steelers win 4-2 by running for five more touchdowns and passing five touchdowns to one interception.
Head coach Mike Tomlin, however, reinstated Wilson in the starting lineup once he recovered, despite Fields’ achievements. Wilson under center helped the Steelers win six of seven games, so the decision paid off right away. However, Pittsburgh lost their next five games, including a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs’ Wild Card round, and fell apart at the end of the season.
Wilson earned his 10th Pro Bowl invitation in 2024 after going 6-5 overall and throwing for 2,482 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Steelers must make a choice that might change the course of their franchise as Wilson and Fields both hit free agency. But according to one NFL source, Pittsburgh has to take a different approach.
Wilson earned his 10th Pro Bowl invitation in 2024 after going 6-5 overall and throwing for 2,482 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Steelers must make a choice that might change the course of their franchise as Wilson and Fields both hit free agency. But according to one NFL source, Pittsburgh has to take a different approach.
Related: A Pittsburgh Steelers source identifies a likely cap casualty and one target early in the 2025 NFL Draft
According to an NFL insider, the Pittsburgh Steelers should acquire two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Bill Streicher/Imagn Images is credited.
Even though Matthew Stafford is 37 years old, ESPN NFL expert Aaron Schatz thinks the Steelers should trade for the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
“Stafford continues to play at a high level.” He placed sixth in 2023 and 12th in 2024 in terms of QBR. Contrast that with the two quarterbacks the Steelers had the previous season. According to Schatz, Stafford had a 64.7 QBR, Russell Wilson was in 22nd place at 51.3, and Justin Fields had not made enough attempts to be placed at 50.8.
Stafford guided the Rams to an unexpected postseason spot last season, finishing 10-6 with 3,762 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. He averaged 7.3 yards per throw attempt and had a 65.8 completion rate.
“With Van Jefferson and Mike Williams both entering free agency, Pittsburgh still needs receiving help, but there is hope that Stafford could really bring George Pickens’ talents to the table,” Schatz continued. Additionally, Stafford’s familiarity with Sean McVay’s play-action-heavy scheme with the Rams makes him a better fit for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith than Aaron Rodgers. When it came to adopting more traditional quarterback-under-center alignments (31% of throws for each club), the Steelers and Rams were both in the middle of the pack.
It’s difficult to imagine the Steelers exchanging assets for a quarterback who is 37 years old when they could sign Fields or Wilson without using draft picks. Whatever course the Steelers decide to take, they must make sure it won’t affect them for years to come.
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