This proposed Steelers quarterback fix is so wild, it just might work

Steelers could try to revolutionize the quarterback position in the NFL with this strategy in 2025.

At this point, the Pittsburgh Steelers have tried just about everything to fix their quarterback position short of offering a king’s ransom to move up to the top of the NFL Draft and taking a blue-chip prospect (don’t hold your breath on that one). Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, this team gave Mason Rudolph a shot, spent a first-round pick on Kenny Pickett, and experimented with a journeyman in Mitch Trubisky.

In 2024, Mike Tomlin looked to reputable veterans to fill the void—signing Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Sadly, all of their efforts have fallen short. What’s worse is that there isn’t a great answer as to what the Steelers should do.

Ideally, the front office would love to land a top-flight quarterback prospect in the draft. But this typically requires a team to bottom out (or at least play poorly enough to be within striking range of trading up for a highly-graded QB prospect.

In this year’s draft, the top two quarterbacks—Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders—will be long gone before the Steelers are on the clock with the 21st overall pick. Likewise, the free agency options are underwhelming. Sam Darnold is a pricey journeyman with just one good season, and fans are fearful he could revert back to his old ways.

Meanwhile, Russell Wilson wasn’t good enough to get the job done on a veteran minimum contract as a 36-year-old, and things wouldn’t get any better if Pittsburgh signed him to a lucrative deal. Likewise, aging veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins are underwhelming, short-term fixes if they become available.

Instead of going with the status quo, the Steelers could try something wild at the quarterback position. But it’s so bizarre that it just might work.

Steelers could lean into run-first quarterback with Jalen Milroe

If Mike Tomlin is set on becoming a good running team (and assuming we can’t change his mind), why not go with a quarterback who has unlimited potential as a rusher? Jalen Milroe is a polarizing prospect who isn’t your traditional quarterback.

If you watched Alabama closely this year, you might be scared to death about what Milroe offers as a passer. In terms of consistency and accuracy from the pocket, there’s much work that needs to be done, and he’s not guaranteed to ever be great in this area. Milroe finished the 2024 season with underwhelming production in the SEC that included 2,844 passing yards to go with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

However, it’s what Milroe offers as a runner that could make him a nightmare for NFL teams to defend.

In 13 games this past year, Milroe gashed defenses for 726 rushing yards and a whopping 20 scores on the ground. Between 2023 and 2024, the dual-threat quarterback produced 1,257 rushing yards and a whopping 33 rushing touchdowns.

What does it matter if you’re putting the ball in the endzone through the air or on the ground as long as you’re hitting paydirt?

To get the most out of Milroe, the Steelers would be wise to cater to his skill set. Get him in situations where he will be comfortable early in his career—running RPO and read-option frequently. Arthur Smith doesn’t feel like the ideal fit here, but a good offensive coordinator should adjust to the quarterback.

To make the transition from college to the NFL as smooth as possible, the Steelers could bring back Justin Fields to help bridge the gap—who could replicate the same style of offense. Pittsburgh had tremendous difficulty running the football and controlling the clock in 2024, but Milroe would help tremendously in both areas.

Drafting a run-first quarterback is a little unorthodox, but Milroe is an elite ball carrier with a powerful frame to withstand contact and is expected to have sub-4.4 speed. The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t going to get where they want to go unless they find a quarterback, so taking a stab at a talented prospect with a big arm and unmatched athletic traits isn’t the wildest gamble.