Steelers "Not Really Interested" In Big Name Quarterback Michael Penix Despite Meeting

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost in the AFC Wild Card game 31-17 to the Buffalo Bills to conclude their 2023 season. Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin had more questions than answers about the quarterback situation and faced an uncertain outlook for 2024. Khan went to work quickly and cut Mitch Trubisky. He stated interest in inking Mason Rudolph to a new deal, and Kenny Pickett, the only quarterback on the roster, ascended to the number one spot on the depth chart. 

Fans argued on social media whether the Steelers should address the position through the NFL Draft, sign Russell Wilson, or trade for Justin Fields. In the immortal words of the late Meatloaf, “Two out of three ain't bad.” Khan signed Wilson and traded for Fields. On Thursday, the Steelers were listed as one of the five teams Michael Penix Jr. from the Washington Huskies will visit before the draft. 

On Friday, Mark Kaboly joined Chris Mueller on The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller. Mueller asked The Athletic's Steelers beat writer to discuss the potential that Khan might defy expectations and complete the trifecta by selecting a quarterback with one of his four picks on the first two days of the April draft. 

"I don't think so. I think this is, I would assume number one is, maybe they didn't get a chance to talk to him," Kaboly said. "It might be someone they are interested in, three or four years down the road, type of situation. I don't think it is anything they are really interested in right now to be able to draft him. Especially if he can go late first, early second."

Penix has fluctuated among the top five quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. Injury concerns have made it difficult to pinpoint his draft position, but his 4.6-second 40-yard dash at the Washington Pro Day may have vaulted him into the first round. The signing of veteran Kyle Allen to the roster behind Wilson and Fields probably precludes the notion of taking a quarterback. Kaboly points out there are more pressing roster issues. 

"Everything I've heard or know, it's tackle, center, wide receiver, cornerback," Kaboly continued. "I'm not breaking any news here. I would guess the tackle. It's smart. If you are going to go find yourself a tackle in free agency you are paying a ton of money. Same goes for cornerback, but for some reason, they got Donte Jackson. I'm not quite sure why, maybe we're missing something. At least they have somebody who is in that place where they have a lot of faith in right now past this year."

Khan is probably not done with the cornerback room. Still, the addition of Donte Jackson gives Teryl Austin and Tomlin one of the fastest cornerbacks in the NFL and the steady veteran performance they had hoped they would get in 2023 with Patrick Peterson. The Steelers also have Cory Trice Jr. returning from injury and Darius Rush returning to the roster. Rush is on his third NFL team after just one year in the NFL, but was one of the top 18 cornerback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

The Steelers' options at tackle could include two highly regarded SEC prospects: Broderick Jones' Georgia Bulldogs teammate, Amarius Mims, who some think has even more natural talent at the tackle position, and Alabama Crimson Tide tackle, JC Latham. Both are right tackle prospects, which would allow Jones to finally supplant Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle.

"Come next year or even midway through the season, or maybe Dan Moore is not even on this team or not starting," Kaboly concluded about selecting a tackle. "I think it might be a little bit later in the draft with the cornerback. Those other three positions have to be addressed early in the draft, especially at the center. I know they don't want a center in the first round if it comes down to it. They have the potential of moving up if certain guys are there."

Steelers’ Pressing Roster Holes May Exclude Highly Regarded Quarterback From 2024 Draft Plans

Adding a fourth quarterback early in the draft would be a big surprise. Penix will turn 24 in May and will be just over one year younger than Fields, who is currently only under Pittsburgh's control for the 2024 season, unless they exercise his fifth-year option before May 2nd or announce a new contract. 

Pittsburgh typically brings four quarterbacks to training camp, but it is hard to envision a scenario where Penix slips far enough in the draft that Khan would be forced to take him as a value pick. Then again, it was hard to envision a scenario where the Steelers landed Wilson and Fields. Maybe he is planning on pulling off the trifecta, with Khan, anything is possible. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Should the Steelers consider adding him to the roster if Penix starts dropping on day two of the 2024 NFL Draft? Please comment below or on X: @thebubbasq. 

#SteelerNation