The Pittsburgh Steelers stumbled into the NFL playoffs on a low note, blowing a two-game division lead late in the season and becoming just the third team in history to enter the playoffs on a four-game losing streak.
Quarterback Russell Wilson has struggled in the team's late-season slump, averaging close to 175 passing yards a game during the losing streak while suffering some critical lapses.
Though the Steelers still have the opportunity to turn things around -- or potentially turn to backup Justin Fields -- one analyst believes the team will find a new signal-caller in 2025. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox named the Steelers as a top destination for quarterback Sam Darnold, who was ranked as the No. 1 free agent for the coming offseason.
Knox noted that Darnold enjoyed an unexpected breakout season with the Minnesota Vikings, taking over for injured rookie J.J. McCarthy and leading the team to a 14-3 record.
"Don't be shocked if the Steelers make a play for Darnold now that their quarterback outlook appears much less sunny than it did a few months ago," Knox wrote. "ESPN's Brooke Pryor reported that Russell Wilson wants to play 'five to seven more years,' but Darnold would be a far better long-term investment for Pittsburgh."
The Steelers would not get the same discount the Vikings did with Darnold. The 2018 first-round pick signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Minnesota last offseason after seeing virtually no time the previous year as Brock Purdy's backup with the San Francisco 49ers.
Darnold is coming off a season where he completed 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
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