Steelers Urged to Consider Trading 4th-Round Pick for Starting QB in AFC South

The Pittsburgh Steelers don't have a great deal of time before they will need to either sign Aaron Rodgers or move on to other options at quarterback. 

It is possible Rodgers is holding off on making a decision after the Steelers offered him a contract several weeks ago to see how the NFL draft shakes out, and specifically what that means for Pittsburgh's QB room. As of now, only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson occupy positions on the team's depth chart. 

The Steelers own the No. 21 pick and oddsmakers predict them as among the most likely teams to select a QB at some point during the proceedings. It is unclear if Rodgers is concerned by the possibility that a player such as Shedeur Sanders of Colorado, who could feasibly be ready to start at some point during his rookie campaign, might fall to the Steelers and disrupt what could be the last season of Rodgers' career. 

Should the draft bring about a development that turns Rodgers completely off the idea of joining Pittsburgh, or should the four-time MVP simply decide to retire or pursue an opportunity with another franchise, the Steelers theoretically have the option to trade for another competent starter to at least add depth and optionality to the QB room. 

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report authored a trade proposal on Friday, April 18, in which Pittsburgh sends the Tennessee Titans a fourth-round pick in exchange for QB Will Levis and a fifth-round selection. 

"Levis' skill set could mesh with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who found success with dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields early last season," Knox wrote. "Levis isn't nearly as dynamic of a runner as Fields is, but he can scramble well enough to keep defenses honest. His arm strength would also allow Pittsburgh to stretch the field with receivers George Pickens and DK Metcalf."

Levis has started 21 games across two seasons after the Titans selected him in the second round of the 2023 draft (No. 33 overall). He has thrown for 3,900 yards, 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions during his time in the NFL and has two years remaining on his $9.5 million rookie contract. 

Levis will play next season at 26 years old.