The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the biggest surprise teams in the NFL this season, as Mike Tomlin’s squad is 8-3 and atop the AFC North through 11 games. The Steelers suffered a disappointing 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football in Week 12 but will have an opportunity to bounce back in Week 13 versus the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. 

Quarterback play has been one of the primary reasons for the Steelers’ success in 2024. Russell Wilson has been efficient and accurate, while Justin Fields proved why he is one of the best backups in the league when he posted a 4-2 record during Wilson’s absence to start the year.

If Wilson continues to play at a high level, Pittsburgh will likely re-sign the veteran to a new contract, meaning Fields could play elsewhere in 2025. Though the nine-time Pro Bowler is a fantastic fit with the Steelers, he’s 35 years old, and the Steelers have to start thinking about the future at the sport’s most vital position if Fields doesn’t return to the team next year.

This scenario could transpire this offseason, and for that reason, ESPN’s Matt Miller believes general manager Omar Khan will use a first-round pick on Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.

The Steelers’ future at quarterback is a big question heading into the offseason, as both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are set to be free agents. Either could return, but the Steelers might be searching for a more long-term option. Milroe has a combination of Wilson’s arm strength and pocket mobility and Fields’ rushing ability. He’s still a bit raw as a prospect, but he has thrown 15 touchdown passes and rushed for 17 more scores this season. Milroe just needs to improve his touch as a passer, but scouts I’ve talked to have said he has the most upside of any draft-eligible quarterback in the class. And should the Steelers re-sign Wilson, Milroe could sit, learn and develop further.
 

Milroe is the best dual-threat signal caller in the nation, as the redshirt junior has totaled double-digit passing and rushing touchdowns in 2024 and has also done an adequate job limiting turnovers. As Miller mentions, Milroe is still a raw prospect who will need some developing in the NFL, and landing in Pittsburgh would be a match made in heaven for the Alabama standout.

There wouldn’t be a better mentor for Milroe at the next level than Russell Wilson, as the 2012 third-round pick was a dynamic dual-threat player earlier in his career. If Pittsburgh retains Wilson and drafts Milroe in the offseason, the franchise would boast one of the most exciting quarterback rooms in the NFL.

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