Steelers' Desire 'To Take A Swing' On QB Is A Huge Factor Heading Into 2025 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be on the clock during the 2025 NFL Draft shortly, and the organization has been talked about a ton throughout the league. The basically vacant quarterback position creates a lot of questions heading into the event, especially with the Steelers having the 21st overall pick. There is a chance that one of the top three quarterback prospects falls that far, but it is certainly not a guarantee. The franchise also has other holes on the roster to think about addressing with that pick, but quarterback is the most important position in sports.

Both Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart are interesting prospects for the Steelers at quarterback, but neither is a sure fire option at the position. If Pittsburgh ends up with either player, it would probably be best for the rookie to sit for a season while learning from a veteran, potentially even a player like Aaron Rodgers. ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler wrote some about the Steelers on Wednesday morning, and he spoke about the quarterback position specifically. He has an interesting thought that Pittsburgh may actually be waiting until 2026 to find a quarterback.

"The Steelers' QB plans are also complicated by a few factors -- even beyond the Aaron Rodgers uncertainty," Fowler wrote. "I continue to hear Pittsburgh wants to take a swing on a quarterback in one of the next two drafts, and next year's class is considered stronger. I'm just not sure taking one in the first round in 2025 makes the most sense for them. Consider this: I asked an NFL offensive coordinator where Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph would rank in this draft class, had he been coming out with the rest of the group. The coordinator placed him third."

If the 2025 season begun immediately, Mason Rudolph would be Pittsburgh's starter after the team signed him in free agency. The veteran quarterback has had some good moments in Pittsburgh, but no fan should be satisfied with the organization being content having Rudolph start 17 games in 2025. A move needs to be made to upgrade the position, and it would be wise to make a move during the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Steelers cannot be relying on a draft class that is a year away. A ton of things change throughout a season in college football. During the 2024 offseason, many believed Quinn Ewers and Carson Beck would be the top-two quarterbacks taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, but Ewers is now considered a mid-round pick and Beck transferred to Miami. That being said, Pittsburgh cannot rely on the quarterback class to be immaculate in 2026 just because of how it looks now.

In 2026, there will be some big names that are eligible for the draft at quarterback including Arch Manning, Drew Allar, Nico Iamaleava, LaNorris Sellers, and Garrett Nussmeier. Some of these players could have some down years that show the kind of player they really are, or they might decide to stay in college. There has already been some conversations about the Manning family wanting Arch to start for two seasons in college, and various NIL deals can get thrown at prospects to convince them to stay at the college level for another year.

Steelers Must Take A Swing If They Get The Chance In 2025

If Pittsburgh has the opportunity to select Sanders or Dart with the 21st overall pick in the draft, the organization has to take that chance. It is impossible to compete in the NFL without a franchise quarterback, and the constant turnover the franchise has had at the position is unhealthy and the mark of a bad organization. This is an area that needs fixing immediately, and if there is a potential answer in the 2025 draft class, Pittsburgh has to look into it.

Waiting until 2026 is risky, and it would mean another season of the same old, mediocre team. A rookie might not be good right away, but it would at least provide some excitement.