For those paying attention, the Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be dropping hints about their quarterback strategy for 2025.
Yesterday, January 28, Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II addressed fans, stating that the team is “unlikely” to re-sign both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. While many anticipated this, Rooney’s comments strongly suggest one of the two QBs won’t return.
Veteran Steelers reporters, including Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show, have both speculated that Fields will emerge as the starter in training camp. But there’s more to the story.
Rewind a couple of weeks to head coach Mike Tomlin’s season-ending press conference, where he emphasized the importance of QB mobility to himself and general manager Omar Khan. Tomlin also noted that age would factor into their decision-making.
These statements clearly favor Fields over Wilson, with the only counterpoint being Wilson’s claims of early extension talks on the Pat McAfee Show. However, these discussions have not been confirmed by the Steelers, and the specifics remain unclear.
If Fields is the frontrunner for QB1, who might back him up? Rooney mentioned the importance of maintaining similar skillsets in the QB room and alluded to the draft as a potential avenue for acquiring talent.
With that in mind, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe could be an ideal understudy to Fields.
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Steelers May Need a First-Round Pick to Land Jalen Milroe
Tomlin has expressed confidence in Fields as the 2025 starter but hasn’t ruled out adding depth at quarterback. Rooney’s remarks suggest the Steelers are committed to ensuring stability at the position.
Why Milroe?
Beyond the similarities between Fields and Milroe as dual-threat quarterbacks, Tomlin hinted at this direction on January 14. When asked about needing a losing season to draft an elite QB, Tomlin pushed back, saying:
“Lamar [Jackson] wasn’t taken at the top of the draft, [Jalen] Hurts wasn’t taken in the first round. So, I don’t know that I necessarily agree with the question.”
Milroe has drawn comparisons to Hurts and Jackson, and Tomlin’s comments seem to align with this perspective. Taken together, these clues suggest the Steelers may be setting the stage for a Fields-Milroe pairing, starting with Wilson’s final snap against Baltimore.
Drafting Milroe may require a first-round pick, as Pittsburgh’s current position makes it risky to wait until their second-round selection at No. 52. Some have proposed trading back in the first round to acquire Milroe while gaining additional draft capital, but selecting him outright at No. 21 might be the safer option.
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Steelers Insider Highlights Jalen Milroe’s Draft Potential
On January 23, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo analyzed rookie QB options, focusing heavily on Milroe. Using insights from draft expert Dane Brugler, DeFabo provided key details about the Alabama standout.
“The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Milroe might be the most fascinating evaluation in the 2025 draft,” Brugler noted. “Some will dismiss him as a legitimate QB prospect due to his inconsistencies as a passer — and understandably so. His precision and timing were glaring issues, especially in Alabama’s losses. However, he is one of the most exceptional athletes in this draft class.”
Brugler highlighted Milroe’s rare combination of size and speed, citing GPS data reflecting a 4.3 40-yard dash. He also praised Milroe’s arm strength, intelligence, and overall potential, emphasizing that the NFL prioritizes traits, and Milroe’s skillset is unique enough to draw significant interest.
DeFabo made the case for Milroe, stating: “His burst, explosion, and speed give him the potential to be a souped-up version of Jalen Hurts.” He also pointed out that Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl played a key role in drafting Hurts for the Eagles in 2020, further supporting the connection. According to DeFabo, the Steelers seem to be building a run-first offense modeled after Philadelphia’s approach, with Milroe as a natural fit.
DeFabo concluded: “This strategy makes the most sense if the Steelers stick with Fields, leaning into an offense built around quarterback mobility. Of all the options, this is the one I favor most. The Steelers can evaluate Fields as the long-term answer while preparing for the future.”
Clearly, the Steelers’ breadcrumbs are leading to a potential Fields-Milroe pairing. Whether intentional or not, the pieces seem to be falling into place in Pittsburgh.
